Tuesday, 2 Jul 2024
Technology

5 Keys to Warehouse Location Mapping

warehouse location mapping

You might have the best product in the world, but if your warehouse location mapping strategy is flawed, it could jeopardize your success. In today’s fast-paced fulfillment landscape, it’s crucial to have a plan that considers various important factors. Let’s dive into the basics of warehouse location mapping and explore five key steps to help you optimize your warehouse operations.

What is Warehouse Location Mapping?

According to Avectus Integrated Software, warehouse location mapping involves identifying and naming product shelving positions, work areas, and travel paths within your facility. Visualize warehouse locations as “home addresses,” aisles as “streets,” shelves as “floors in apartment buildings,” and shelving units as “apartment units.” This perspective highlights the level of organization that can be achieved when each product has a designated place to “live.”

Pre-label the Locations

Begin the warehouse location mapping process by walking through your warehouse to assess the layout. Label highly-trafficked and problematic areas using sticky notes. Observe travel paths and compare shelving unit locations to your current picking strategy. These preliminary notes will lay the groundwork for your location plan.

Speak with Your Associates

Gain insights from your floor associates who work directly with your inventory. They can provide valuable input to help you formulate a well-researched plan. Pay attention to your pickers’ movements, the length of their routes, and the accessibility of popular SKUs in different zones.

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Create Smart Location Names

Now that you have a better understanding of strategic location mapping, create location names that align with your organizational structure. Include the following in your plan:

  • Unique location names corresponding to the warehouse layout
  • Zone or room names for inventory and equipment within closed spaces
  • Assign a unique label to every location, no matter how inconsequential it may seem
  • Pre-label empty areas to avoid additional labeling procedures once filled
  • Assign location names from top to bottom and left to right
  • Break departments into zones such as “Shipping and Receiving,” “Office,” and “Restroom”

Select and Order Warehouse Location Labels

Once all locations are named and mapped strategically, add durable, scannable, and easy-to-read labels to each location. Consider the temperature, climate, and wear and tear your infrastructure is exposed to when choosing warehouse labels. Camcode offers a range of label options designed for harsh warehouse environments, including Premium Polyester for permanent labeling and Magnetic labels for temporary use on transitional racks.

Integrate your Warehouse Location Mapping Plan into Your Choice of Software

Integrate your location plan into your current software solution to track your warehouse efficiently. A warehouse management system (WMS) is commonly used to manage inventory, procedures, orders, and gain end-to-end visibility in the supply chain. Ensure your software systems reflect the changes made in your warehouse location mapping plan before it goes live.

By following these steps and implementing an optimized warehouse location mapping plan, your operation will run more smoothly and efficiently.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: How long does it take to create a warehouse location mapping plan?
    A: Warehouse location mapping is a process that requires careful planning and implementation. The timeline varies depending on the size and complexity of your warehouse, but it generally takes a fair amount of time and effort to formulate an optimized plan.

  • Q: How often should I update my warehouse location mapping plan?
    A: It’s recommended to review and update your warehouse location mapping plan periodically. As your inventory and operations evolve, it’s important to ensure that your location plan reflects the current state of your warehouse.

Conclusion

Optimizing your warehouse location mapping plan is essential for efficient operations and speedy fulfillment. By pre-labeling locations, gathering input from associates, creating smart location names, selecting appropriate labels, and integrating your plan into software, you can streamline your operations and improve overall efficiency. Take the time to develop a well-thought-out warehouse location mapping plan, and your business will reap the benefits. For more information about Eireview, visit Eireview.