A basic component in productivity management is management

Retailing has always been a competitive and challenging industry characterized by fiber optic termination box fierce competition. There is a need to heavily invest in Information Technology to boost margin, improve customer satisfaction and reduce operating costs. Retailers in recent years have made major investments in improving the supply chain management in order to maintain focus on store operations.

Among these investments include modern warehouse management systems (WMS); replenishment systems and inventory management; new processes and technologies for supporting cross-dock and flow-through distribution center operations and recent initiatives such as collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR).Since retailing is mainly focused on distribution, a retailer's distribution efficiency level is usually an important determinant in measuring its success in the market. And because distribution and tight margins generally play a critical role in the retailing industry, retailers have seen the importance of distribution as a key core competency measure in maintaining low costs as well as distribution control.However, despite retailers' significant investment in Information Technology and the important role of distribution efficiency in measuring overall competitiveness as well as physical assets and material handling systems to support retail distribution operations, many retailing companies are still missing yet another important opportunity to reduce distribution costs, and that is productivity management. Modern productivity management systems incorporate sophisticated software support with enhanced operational methods and engineered goals settings and standards.

This results to productivity management that helps retailers to achieve a simultaneous and significant increase in labor and equipment efficiency, better quality and employee retention. Productivity management can significantly provide end-line benefits, which are accomplished with accelerated return on investment (ROI) and lesser implementation risk. Retailers today can increase productivity, reduce costs, improve quality and achieve higher operator retention and satisfaction through advanced productivity management solutions. Productivity management systems are simple to understand.

A basic component in productivity management is management buy-in, in which companies should drive lead efforts from the top of the organization and that this should be more than just a mere engineering project in order to maximize success. Understanding, involvement and support of management are critical in order to eliminate the barriers for improving productivity and establishing an environment where productivity management methods can work effectively. Labor productivity improvements should be derived from the basic platform of best practice, which is the most ideal overall distribution center process and material flow and preferred approaches, which is a highly favorable way to do a particular task. Most retailing companies recognize the best practice concept but may not be familiar with preferred methods. This results to warehouses having multiple workers doing a specific task in different ways, thus there is inefficiency and low optimal performance.Setting preferred methods can boost productivity and create a benchmark upon which to base time calculations. The focus in distribution is often on what is being accomplished and not necessarily how it is done. Development of preferred methods involves identifying the most effective approach to do the job within constraints of keeping quality and worker safety overall. In addition, little ergonomic improvements can also contribute to productivity gains with many workers constantly doing the same task.

Megosztás a facebookon

Wholesalers selling retail or retailers selling wholesale As with most wholesalers they will sell to 8-core splitter Fiber Distribution Box retailers, market stall holders, car booters and even ebay sellers. Some are dipping their toes into the dropshipping market. But now a disturbing new trend is taking place which is quite scary to small shop keepers like myself. I am the owner of a children's formalwear shop on the high street. Recently we have branched our business online but have discovered it seems many of our wholesalers are turning retailers and offering goods directly to the public at slightly above wholesale prices in direct competition with ourselves.The wholesaler that we buy our main stock of boys suits from has a minimum spend of £100 in store. This keeps the general public at bay who are looking to buy a single outfit.But they now also sell the same items on the internet at wholesale price to the general public but with no minimum purchase.

This means that Hilda from down the street can buy an outfit online for almost the same price I am having to pay for it. I was so angry about being undercut by my supplier that I contacted the manufacturer of the boys suits, only to find out they too were selling directly to the public on the internet although at the RRP. High street retailers are having a hard time as it is without having to compete with our own suppliers.On the other hand on same high street as our own shop small n smart, we have retailers offering goods at wholesale prices direct to the public. This of course is just marketing spin, the prices may be lower but I have yet to get a genuine wholesale price from a retail shop.Is Tesco a wholesaler or retailer. Their prices are often cheaper than wholesalers in fact lots of corner shops preferred to buy all their consumables form this store, yet no one would ever think of Tesco as anything other than a retailer.

I can understand the pressure put on wholesalers by office supply superstores, multiplex retailers and warehouse home centers and disintermediation of wholesalers through electronic commerce. But the fact remains Wholesalers are the intermediaries in the chain between the manufacturer and the customer. Unlike the retailers which are the last link before it reaches the end-user.It seems the line between wholesaler and retailer seems to be getting a little blurred. I have decided to started a petition with no 10 to regulate the industry which I hope you will all sign. The future of the high street shop is at stake.

Megosztás a facebookon

Efficiently managing the internal functions of Optical Fiber Joint Box a manufacturing or distribution warehouse

When it comes to effectively and efficiently managing the internal functions of Optical Fiber Joint Box a manufacturing or distribution warehouse, operations managers are constantly endeavoring to streamline and automate the facility's processes and procedures. In this consistent quest for distribution automation, two important technologies have proven time and again why they are leading the pack of available innovations; pick to light and print and apply label systems. Pick to light and print and apply label technologies have firmly established themselves as more than mere distribution automation passing trends.

Incorporating elements of automated programming with a solid grasp behind the logic and practice of common warehouse operations while still relying on operator engagement have helped make these two approaches invaluable to manufacturing leaders in virtually every industry. Understanding some of the specific benefits and features of each system can help you determine if either of these effective warehouse operation technologies makes sense in your packing and shipping environment.Print And Apply Label TechnologiesPrint and apply label systems are a form of distribution automation that eliminates the need for hand written packing sheets and shipping labels. These devices accurately print and label packages for shipment almost instantly and can include amenities that manually created forms can deliver such as:•    Double-sided printing•    Inclusion of T's&C's, customer logos and other brand-specific pictures and graphics•    Inline scanning and weighing capabilities•    Automated packing sheet folding and tuckingWhen used properly, a print and apply label system virtually eliminates the chance of manual errors. In some cases, these devices are so effective they can seamlessly manage the output of 6-8 physical workers.

In short, a print and apply label strategy proves extremely effective as a distribution automation tool.Understanding The Concept Of Pick To LightA pick to light system reads a scanned barcode to determine the particular item that needs to be found. From there the locators distributed throughout the facility flash or illuminate, directing employees on where in the warehouse to find each specific item and the quantities required to fill the order. With options for individual pieces or entire case quantities, pick to light programming brings with it a host of features and benefits including:•    Paperless, hands-free order fulfillment•    Ease of use, most systems require minimal training to get started•   

Operational flexibility and streamlined resource management•    Increased staff productivity, efficiency and accuracyBest of all, most quality pick to light systems deliver a strategy that will complement already existing warehouse automation or voice pick systems to ensure a truly cost-efficient solution.If your business is looking to raise the bar with its distribution automation procedures, both of these innovative technologies make an excellent place to start. Whether moving full steam ahead incorporating both systems as part of your new distribution automation initiative or simply utilizing one program to start, you and your employees will notice an almost immediate difference in efficiency, accuracy and overall output capabilities.

Megosztás a facebookon