Software in the driving seat

On my recent visit, I was struck by its cross-dock operation. Distribution centre manager Alan More describes its role as pausing stock rather than warehouse storage. The aim is to swiftly carry out both store replenishment and online order fulfilment. In this kind of operation, the IT is just as important as the physical infrastructure. Shop managers, the merchandising team and supply chain management have got to be able to communicate seamlessly, and share a single view of stock. As well as installing the automated materials handling equipment for Quiz, systems integrator Logistex played a key role in supplying a WMS and tying this in with supply chain and ERP software.

I also visited Dematic’s new HQ near Banbury recently. It’s a very impressive facility, geared up for hosting clients and attracting talent. It’s like a little bit of Silicon Valley has dropped down to the Oxfordshire countryside. The event featured a rare opportunity to speak to Dematic’s top management and it was interesting to hear them talk about the primacy of software, it is where the innovation is, they say, and where Dematic spends most of its R&D budget. It also means you don’t always have to buy quite so much hardware. If your software can act as an order buffer, for example, then why do it the old way using a physical buffer of conveyors, racking etc?

Arguably Descartes is taking this idea further still, with the release of its Pixi* eCommerce WMS. Ignore the irritating name, the idea is the software will automate man to goods picking and other processes in your warehouse to drive the kind of efficiencies you will need to keep up with consumer delivery expectations. It sounds like it could save money as the software is designed to begin to drive efficiencies with your existing warehouse set-up, without requiring additional investment in hardware.

Indeed, if you have had experiences with new MHE systems, we’d like to hear about it. Drop us a line at [email protected] and let us know. Knowledge sharing is valuable, there is almost always something that can be learned from hearing about the experiences of people in similar situations. In terms of other new products, I’d like to point you towards TCM’s new counterbalance truck, one of a number of new products the manufacturer has or will be unveiling this year.

Also, check out our annual supplement – The Warehouse – which features a dock shelter from Hörmann that is especially designed for vans. We are seeing the cascade of impacts that come from changing consumer shopping habits. More online retail orders leads to do more delivery vans on the road, which leads to more vans being loaded at DCs, which creates the demand for bespoke loading equipment, to ensure vans are loading as efficiently and safely as possible.

And look at that! We’ve got the to the end of the piece without mentioning politics, Brexit, or the General Election. So, let’s leave it there, as I am sure you are hearing enough about our super competent politicians elsewhere!