Innovation in the warehouse and distribution industry is, at its heart, about perfecting the way goods are moved through the supply chain. Speed, security, reliability and low overheads are some of the main concerns when it comes to maximising the efficiency of the supply chain.
So how can you reduce your warehouse IT costs?
Many of the improvements made in the industry are due to advances in technology, either through automated machinery or intelligent systems that have completely modernised the way we send and receive information.
Such technology has enabled us to create more effective warehousing and distribution solutions than ever before, as well as showing us a glimpse of the near future with things like 3D printing, which is set to change how products are manufactured and delivered to consumers.
Warehouse management systems, mobile data retrieval and state-of-the-art automated machinery can help companies maximise their output, but it’s often the case that many companies invest where they don’t need to, particularly smaller warehouses.
A few simple tips to reign in your tech budget are:
Cut back on equipment you don’t need in your warehouse
It’s easy to start snapping up specialist equipment that promises to maximise the efficiency of your warehouse management system, but be careful you don’t overspend on unnecessary things. If you find a great deal on a pallet load of hand-held scanners, but only employ less than a hundred people, you could just be wasting money.
Consider outsourcing your IT support
If you’re a small to mid-sized warehouse with your own in-house IT support, you could be paying for services you don’t necessarily need. Outsourcing your support requirements means you only pay for what you need.
Negotiate better processing fees
Customer’s appreciate not having to pay additional credit card fees when they makes purchases online, so if you operate a point of sale system for your clients and are picking up the tab, then make sure you compare prices between processors to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
By reducing the amount you spend on unnecessary IT systems and support in the warehouse, you could potentially cut your overheads in half. Savings like these could then be better spent on other areas of business including marketing or even expansion into new sales territories.
Leave a Reply