Assigning a barcoded serial number or license plate to your inventory in a warehouse can streamline warehouse operations and improve overall efficiency. Whether our software application generates the barcoded label, or you use preprinted barcoded labels, our software applications will track an item, UOM, quantity, lot number, and expiration date on a pallet, drum or other moveable inventory unit in the warehouse using that unique serial number.
Here are some advantages of running a license plated warehouse environment:
- Improved Inventory Control: By assigning a unique license plate or barcode to each item or pallet of inventory, you gain better visibility and control over your stock. It becomes easier to track the movement of specific items within the facility, from receiving to storage, picking, and shipping.
- Accurate and Efficient Picking: License plate numbers make the picking process more accurate and efficient. You can use scanning devices to identify and locate the exact items needed to fulfill customer orders. This reduces the chances of picking errors and saves time in finding the right products.
- Faster Receiving and Put-away: When inventory arrives at the warehouse, the use of license plates allows for quicker receiving processes. You can scan the license plates to immediately record the items in the application, enabling seamless put-away procedures and minimizing delays in making products available for sale.
- Streamlined Order Fulfillment: During order fulfillment, the license plate numbers enable efficient retrieval of items from the warehouse shelves. The scanning process ensures the right products are selected, reducing the risk of shipping incorrect items to customers.
- Facilitates Cycle Counting and Physical Inventory: License plates make cycle counting and physical inventory checks more straightforward. You can easily identify and count specific groups of items associated with a particular license plate, leading to more accurate inventory counts and faster reconciliation.
- Enhanced Lot Traceability: License plates allow for improved traceability of lot-controlled products within a facility and throughout the supply chain. This is especially important for industries with strict regulations, as it helps in complying with recall procedures and quality control requirements.
- Better Warehouse Layout and Space Utilization: Assigning license plates to inventory can aid in optimizing the layout of the warehouse. You can analyze the movement patterns of items based on license plate data, leading to better organization and more efficient use of storage space.
- Easy Returns and Reverse Logistics: When products need to be returned, having a license plate system simplifies the process. You can quickly identify and process the returned items, improving reverse logistics operations.
- Reduces Administrative Errors: Manual data entry errors can be minimized using license plates, as much of the data is scanned and automatically recorded. This reduces administrative burdens and improves data accuracy.
Overall, assigning a license plate to inventory in a warehouse is a valuable strategy for enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and control over inventory operations. Manufacturers employing license plates can gain a competitive advantage in today’s fast-paced supply chain environments.
