There is no denying that our consumer habits are changing radically. Today we take it for granted that we can buy anything from anywhere in the world and have it delivered to us within days with minimal shipping costs. This is only possible thanks to new warehouse and logistics techniques .
The rise of e-commerce is making these new techniques increasingly necessary to keep pace. And this in turn is creating a huge demand for warehouse staff with new qualifications. In fact, this is one of the fastest growing sectors in Spain right now .
All of this leads us to one conclusion: there are many job opportunities for professionals who know the new warehouse techniques. And so that you can see that we are not just talking about simple warehouse workers, let's look at some of these new technologies.
New warehouse techniques that companies need.
Some of the new trends in the logistics sector include:
Omnichannel : A single logistics company manages all customer communication channels. Email, SMS, social networks… This makes it easier to keep customers informed, for example, about the status of their shipment or stock.
Sustainable supply chain : There is increasing concern for the environment, with measures ranging from route optimization to the use of biodegradable materials.
Reverse logistics : Related to the previous point, it would be the equivalent of the classic idea of returnable milk bottles, but for all types of packaging.
The integration and digitalization of logistics : One of the most important trends and the one that requires the most training. Essentially, Industry 4.0.
And what is this Industry 4.0 ? It is the concept of using communication technology and artificial intelligence to bring about a fourth industrial revolution. Put more simply, it means creating smart factories, or in this case, smart warehouses. Although it is easier to understand it with examples of new warehouse techniques.
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The Internet of Things and its impact on warehouse techniques:
This term refers to the concept that intercommunication technologies are not only applied to computers and computing devices. This idea is already taking its first steps, now different objects are capable of collecting information and sending it to other objects or to a central system to optimize its use.
For example, in the case of a warehouse: Let's imagine that all incoming packages are fitted with a type of smart label. These types of labels are known as RFID tags , they have a code that can be scanned, but they can also be read in different ways. For example, they can send information directly via Bluetooth. In this way, all labels can be read at the same time from anywhere in the warehouse.
The fourth industrial revolution brings with it new warehouse techniques
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This means that warehouse workers know where each package is at all times and can plan their routes to collect them in the most optimized way possible. But the possibilities of the Internet of Things go even further.
Let's say that some of your packages contain fragile goods, or that they need to be kept at a specific temperature. These labels can include sensors that can detect if these packages have been hit and inform you that the contents need to be checked for damage. Or they can detect that the package is at an inappropriate temperature and communicate this directly to the warehouse's climate control system.
And this information doesn't have to stay in the warehouse. Nowadays, many companies offer buyers the ability to track their packages. This is also possible thanks to the Internet of Things.
But perhaps the best thing about the Internet of Things is the kuwait phone number search opportunities it opens up when integrated with other warehouse techniques.
Robotization and automation of processes:
One of the warehouse and industrial techniques that we are already used to is the automation of many processes. We have all seen an assembly or packaging line with a certain degree of automation, using label readers that send the different packages to the correct destination.
It remains one of the most important storage techniques
But Industry 4.0 takes this a step further. Thanks to the Internet of Things, drones transporting various goods can now activate themselves when they receive the right signal. This does not mean that personnel intervention is no longer required in the warehouse. Warehouse technicians simply need new skills, such as robotics knowledge, to make the drones work as efficiently as possible. In general, the functions of workers are increasingly oriented towards coordination and management.
Robotics is one of the warehouse techniques that requires the most training
Warehouse organization systems.
Ultimately, all these new warehouse techniques are aimed at improving warehouse efficiency. And one of the best ways to do this is to implement a warehouse management computer system .
These systems provide many options to workers at very different levels.
Forklift drivers and porters can use augmented reality to show them which route to follow within the warehouse.
These routes are drawn up by traffic coordinators, who have maps of hot zones and real-time information on the position of the trucks.
Purchasing managers have a much easier time gauging the pulse of stock .
Safety officers have a map of the most common accident areas at all times and can monitor the speed and behaviour of drones to ensure the safety of workers.
Plant managers have at their disposal programs that automatically calculate the optimal way to store goods.
And all these positions benefit from knowledge that is highly transversal within the warehouse. However, curiously, this is an outstanding issue in the education system. There are very few courses or cycles specifically oriented to logistics. Hence, companies complain that there are few candidates with the necessary up-to-date training in logistics .