1 April 2022 Discover the advantages of using data collectors in intralogistics operations and the gains generated for the company The growth of e-commerce in 2020, largely driven by the pandemic, caught many by surprise. Besides the stores that were already selling online, which had to deal with an increase in demand, many retailers had to close their doors and start e-commerce. Faced with changes in business, a common problem emerged for most companies: logistical obstacles. Companies that had developed 100% manual processes until then found it difficult to ensure the speed and accuracy needed in the face of growing demand. It was then realized that there was a need to replace the use of paper with more advanced tools, such as data collectors. A manual operation, if well-structured, with a well-trained team and competent managers, can work effectively. However, when the business grows, everything becomes more complicated. The manager might struggle to adapt processes or even find creative and efficient workers to get the job done. Even a more disciplined warehouse, 100% manual (paper-based), that applies rigor and attention to process improvements, can encounter problems when order volumes increase dramatically. Therefore, investing in support technology becomes the most appropriate way to increase performance and offer a high standard of customer service. Using a WMS system in the warehouse The data collector is a portable device that collects information from a mobile position and transmits it to a system in real-time. Its great advantage is the precision and agility offered in executing essential tasks in a logistics operation, allowing the collection and recording of product information (batch, expiration date, weight, dimensions, etc.), tracking of goods, control of goods entry and exit, efficient separation, internal movements, and inventory realization. Most collectors have a barcode reader and an alphanumeric keyboard. Warehouse operators can use both features to collect and record data on goods in stock, performing their tasks quickly and assertively. Some collector models are equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which allows automatic identification of objects and collection of their information via radio signals. In the past, collectors were practically inaccessible to most small and medium-sized enterprises due to their high value. Recent technological advances have generated innovative and more affordable products, allowing even smaller companies to benefit from the advantages provided by the device, especially if integrated with a WMS system. Reasons to abandon paper and invest in data collectors In the previous topic, we mentioned some advantages provided by the use of data collectors in warehouses, the main one being the great speed and accuracy in executing activities. To make the advantages even clearer, we list three reasons to migrate from a manual and paper-based operation to the use of collectors: 1 – Increased productivity At the most basic level, the shift to data collection-based operations can help logistics leaders better structure the work and efforts of each employee. Furthermore, using the device integrated into the WMS system generates a great gain in efficiency and agility, as the software directs all activities and the employee executes them quickly with the collector. If with a paper list the time to pick an order can be long, with the picker it happens extremely quickly. 2. Work optimization: more quality, fewer errors There is a specific and measurable cost for any error made during an intralogistics operation. This cost can be direct, such as lost revenue caused by damage from mishandling, product loss, or incorrect shipments (requiring an exchange), or indirect, generating loss of time and rework. A workflow based on data collectors provides digitization and validation, significantly reducing error rates in operations. There is an improvement in quality both in receiving, storing, separating, and shipping, as well as in executing stock counts. With data appropriately recorded by the collector and validated through integration with the WMS, the manager is also able to manage stock much more efficiently. 3. Reliable and immediate information Managing a warehouse requires accessible and reliable information. This is because we are talking about executing processes that directly affect customer satisfaction and revenue generation for the company. And this is where one of the greatest advantages comes from the transition from paper to the use of data collectors integrated into the WMS system: stock information is now offered assertively and in real-time. Since all processes (entry, storage, internal movements, separation, shipping, and inventories) are executed with the data collector, it provides the WMS with important information that is quickly processed and offered to managers, whether regarding stock, building manual performance, financial data, or operational data. By emitting a beep on the products, the collector records not only the data for each SKU but also the date and time of execution of each activity, allowing a macro analysis of productivity in each process. With this information in hand, managers can make the right decisions to constantly improve the business. “Today’s warehouse is not made of paper” The phrase above, spoken by Don White, CEO of SnapFulfill America, is fully in line with the current moment we live in, which requires greater agility, efficiency, and precision from intralogistics operations. It is no longer possible to maintain a warehouse with processes carried out with the aid of paper lists, spreadsheets, or notes. Besides meaning a loss of productivity, the possibility of errors and rework, it also represents an obstacle to effective management. With e-commerce and omnichannel gaining more and more strength, retailers need to invest in technologies that ensure excellent service to their customers, and this depends not only on the good execution of processes but also on perfect stock management. Paper simply cannot handle the complexity of today’s operations, nor the challenges inherent in warehouse management. So when it comes to collectors, it is not a difference but a necessity for those who want to see their business grow and prosper. 3 Reasons to Switch from Paper to Using a WMS System Deagor WMS per ecommerce può aiutarti!