Page 56 - DMGT553_RETAIL_STORE_MANAGEMENT

Unit 3: Pre-Store Opening

RF gun, workers have to scan, set the gun down, and then make their pick.” In facilities Notes
where the technology is appropriate, McKnight recommends hands-free order picking
enabled by technology such as wrist-mounted RF units, voice pick, and pick- or put-to-
light order fulfilment systems.
7. Minimize touches. Several techniques help eliminate touches in the warehouse, including
picking to a shipping carton rather than picking to a tote. A robust warehouse management
system can enable picking directly to the carton, eliminating dedicated packing stations.
Also consider using print-and-apply labeling systems that print labels on the fly, and offer
in-motion weighing and manifesting, as well as semi-automated or automated sealing/
taping stations, all of which eliminate touches.
“Suppose it’s a loose pick operation. The order is picked into a system-designated repack
carton, and is scanned and confirmed at the pick point. Essentially the pick-pack carton is
conveyed to a dunnage fill and sealing operation, then on to an automated manifested
operation,” Derewecki says.
8. Have portions of orders arrive simultaneously on the doc.: Various portions of orders—
full pallet, case pick, and loose pick—should arrive as closely as possible on the dock, so
the order goes directly to the trailer rather than being set down. ”It’s easier said than done,
however,” Derewecki admits. “Imbalances in order flow occur from order to order, day to
day, hour to hour, and can prevent this from happening. Nonetheless, getting portions of
the order to arrive simultaneously should be the objective, with a system that is flexible
enough to absorb slight timing differences when necessary.”
9. Use system-directed replenishment. If the inbound product isn’t put into a pick location
immediately, using system-directed replenishment is a best practice. System-directed
replenishment is based on real-time information that looks at the pick slot’s stocking
condition and the quantities that will be picked in the next wave, putting you one step
ahead of the order picker. Information systems should drive replenishment so the location
is never out of stock when pickers are picking.
10. Evaluate crossdocking. Crossdocking can be a best practice in certain industries, notes
Marc Wulfraat, a senior partner with KOM International, a global logistics and supply
chain management firm headquartered in Montreal. Crossdocking can be used for fast- or
slow-moving product, and includes crossdocking of back-ordered product, or product
prepared by your supplier for your customer; reverse line picking; and other functions.
11. Consider dynamic slotting. Slotting a stock keeping unit in the optimum location requires
ongoing analysis. As items move through the maturity cycle, their velocity changes.
Other items are seasonal in nature; slow-sellers may become fast sellers during peak
months of the year. Derewecki recommends a system that generates exception reports to
make ongoing slotting changes.
12. Manage returns. Returns management is another important best practice area. Warehouse
managers need to be able to control the returned goods inventory so they know what is
coming back into inventory and can be sold, what requires repair, and what needs to be
disposed of.
13. Implement an ongoing cycle count program. A good, ongoing cycle count program enables
you to eliminate taking a physical inventory count. While many firms do cycle counting,
they have not yet eliminated the physical inventory. Doing so cuts time and costs
substantially.
14. Use best practices in measurement. Be careful how you develop metrics and measure
performance.

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