QR codes for Reordering and Inventory updates

Much has been said about using QR codes to contain more information. I like it for operational use because lots of information can be packed in the QR code for immediate processing by any QR code reader, as opposed to needing to pull the relevant information from a database, that takes time, and may not be cheap.

More interestingly, QR code also contains url features that allow people to create QR codes on labels that allow customers to easily reorder the same products. This is possible when suppliers combine customer codes and products to pre-fill say a Google form that can be pulled up using the QR code.

Another experience is using QR code to facilitate inventory updates. Inventory of different products could be on different spreadsheets, and their file path name can be quite long. Users currently may need to manually search for the right file to update. By embedding a QR code on a workorder or delivery order, the user just have to scan the QR code to pick up the right inventory file to update. This saves time and makes less mistakes.

Separate Quantity Related Info With Other Product Info

Actual information like quantity and pallet information often requires receiving staff to count and record on upon receiving. This means it takes time to generate bar code labels that needs such information, often creating a bottle-neck. 

To ease this bottleneck, provide the putaway staff with running number bar code that they can stick on pallets, and associate this bar code with a receiving master tag or bar code label. He or she can key in the sighted/counted info like quantity and/or pallets. This eases the bottleneck in waiting for all the information to be keyed in for a complete label to be generated.

The master tag or bar code can be on the receiving document that the putaway staff can hold on to and scan, to associate with the running number labels on the pallets of products.

Live Google Chart Updates on GoogleSites

Inserting the chart from GoogleSites, and then selecting the "live" option does work.

What works is if you go to Google Charts, select Publish, then Embed, and use the HTML codes shown on your website.

Just to share, and a reminder to myself on how to make it work :)

Pick-to-Light with wireless networks

Fixed light consoles on distribution centre rackings is common. It is used for piece picking of fast moving products. By picking from where it is lit up, one doesn't need to remember where what products are stored.

The drawback of such systems is investment into the hardware, software and cabling is significant. One has the do product profile and pick projections very closely to decide how many "lights" needed, and it is not very flexible to changes.

With the process of wireless networks, it is now easy to identify nodes in a wireless network. As such, light modules can be fitted on such nodes to be lighted up, creating instant Pick-to-Light modules. With the Pareto rule, since only 20% of all products contribute to 80% of picks, one can just put the light modules on these popular products.

Ultra-Fast Deliveries For Top Customers Of Ecommerce

Customers buying something online always hope their deliveries will reach immediately. Top customers of an online retail store usually buy more than others, and at a certain time. Online retailers are looking at when their too customers buy, consistency of the time that a purchase is made, to activate deliveries, or even pre-place products at self collection lockers near customers' delivery locations.

Slotting Logic for New Products in Vertical Carousels

In cities like Singapore where land is expensive, automation is the way to derive more throughput. Retailers are using more putaway and picking machines like vertical carousels to maximize vertical space use. For some fast fashion products though, the popularity of products vary greatly throughout the week, by launches, and by seasons.

To minimize putaway and subsequent picking effort for new products meant to replenish products sold, a logic has to be in place to relate that new products are to be placed at the vertical carousel, and analysis done to locate this product with related products that are picked/sold together, that are at the same shelf. Not too different from market basket analysis done for up-selling, cross-selling and bundling analysis.

Auto Batch or by-Order Picking Logic (Base on Time Studies) In Picking Systems?

In most systems, picking of items are either done in waves/batch, or by invoice. Generally, when orders are relatively little, picking my invoice makes the most sense. As orders increase, picking my wave/batch minimizes pick distance, but one has to provide for shorting space to eventually split a pick into specific orders.

Most inital, or even mature, Ecommerce implementations involve using current warehouse or storage area for picking, alongside picking for B2B, or other B2C transactions. With high variety of products generally on a Ecommerce retail front, the long tail of consumers buying a few of a wide variety of products mean sometimes picking by orders, even for large operations, more feasible. The lines in the orders can be sorted so that the picker does not need to backtrack, and fulfill as much orders as possible.

There is even opportunity to look at time study specifics in picking to customize a system to automatically decide if batch or by order picking is more cost effective.