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Top 3 Warehousing & Logistics Trends That Might Disrupt 2024

7 January 2024

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2023 was pretty eventful for the warehousing and logistics industry. And if experts are to be believed, 2024 is going to be even better.

Here are the top 3 warehousing and logistics trends we must look out for.

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The e-commerce boom around the world has led to a huge demand for sophisticated warehouses and distribution centers.

Expectations of customers have grown over the past few years. From fast delivery to easy returns and replacements, they desire a seamless online shopping experience. And this is possible only when warehouses have top-notch management systems.

While 2020 saw a lull in new warehouse constructions, there’s a burgeoning demand for newer, strategically located, state-of-the-art warehouses.

Decentralization of warehouses paved the way for micro and mini warehouse concepts.

This is going to revolutionize the way warehouses operate. 2024 will witness this demand being a catalyst for innovation and growth of the latest Warehouse Management Systems.

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Gone are the days of manual data entries to keep a log of inventory. To handle bulk volumes with zero possibility of errors, the warehousing and logistics industry will rely heavily on robot automation.

Mobile robots, especially automated guided vehicles, will become mainstream in the industry. Thanks to their enhanced efficiency, precision, and speed, robots will completely redefine the traditional landscape of warehousing.

While robots are employed for redundant and large-scale warehouses, the term RPA -robotic process automation is applicable for small and mid-sized warehouses when their core processes are chained, systemized and workflow enabled. This doesn’t need a physical robot, however your warehouse processes should be chained and streamlined.

Also, look for mobile workstations as they replace conventional desks. This would increase warehouse efficiency due to lower worker exhaustion.

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A high-mobility warehouse is no more a thing of the future. The hands-free era is upon us and wearable technology is going to make this possible for us.

Warehouse teams will perform more efficiently using wearable devices and especially IoT devices such as scanners, beacons. Thanks to AI/ML, combined with ML based strategies these devices will add intelligence to picking, sorting, and sequencing processes.

Real-time communication of essential data using modern WMS will make managing inventory almost a cakewalk!

Do you anticipate any other trend taking over the warehousing and logistics industry in the upcoming year? Which of these trends are you looking forward to the most?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, for any doubts about warehouse management systems, please reach out to me.

As an integral part of supply chain & logistics industry, you’re probably aware about the implications of WMS.

I’m here to shed light on selecting the right WMS with the help of a 7-points-long checklist.

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You really cannot skip this step. Please do your homework to make the correct choices later.

Have you been able to sit down and identify the reasons for which you need a WMS?

You should be crystal clear on all the processes you want to automate in your warehouse. Define them using a simple process flow chart.

You’ll need to cover the minimum of the key process streams, like inbound/ goods inward process, the make and change process that accounts for all the transfers within the warehouse, outbound/ goods outward process, the stock counting process that can be cyclic or perpetual, and one to list all the KPIs.

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Done laying the groundwork and have determined your process?

Now, you need to carefully analyze the resources you have and their utilization matrix. Take a look at your current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Determine what your ERP’s upgrade roadmap looks like.

Is your ERP compatible with integrating with a third party WMS? If yes, what is the preferred protocol? File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Application Programming Interface (API)?

Answers to these questions will help you make an informed choice while selecting the right WMS.

In case your ERP isn’t compatible with a third party WMS, you have to self analyze the capability of your enterprise to run a WMS in a standalone manner.

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The WMS isn’t for a month or two. It’s a decision that’s going to have a huge impact on the way you run your business for years to come.

It makes sense to take its sustainability and scalability into account. For that, you need to determine if the WMS can handle the projected data volume for the next 5 years.

If you have any business sales channel expansion plans, the WMS must be able to manage them. All your ERP upgrade road maps must be well-accommodated by the WMS you choose.

In fact, even if you don’t feel like it right now, do take having multiple warehouses into consideration. The WMS you choose should be able to run efficiently in a scenario with multiple warehouses.

The next installment of this 7-point series will be up soon. Meanwhile, you can share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Domnic Regies Amalraj

Co-Founder & Director, Tekclover