Digitalization of inventory in warehouses
Gone are the days of traditionally managed warehouses. Now companies in various sectors are investing in Logistics 4.0, which is based on digital technologies, smart space organization and efficient workload allocation. How to make the switch to a digitalized warehouse? We present below the application created by Axes Software to ensure warehouse management performance and inventory digitalization.
What is a digitalized warehouse and what are the benefits of inventory automation
There are different approaches to how inventory is organized in the warehouse, taking into account the size of the logistics site and the specifics of the activities (production, product sales, distribution, transport, retail, Horeca, pharmaceuticals, etc.). But what do these different ways of managing goods have in common? The answer is obvious – the need for an automated inventory as an important differentiator from competitors.
The digitalized warehouse is an automated structure of the logistics site. It is based on consistency, customization, automation and integrated solutions through the application of product flow, inventory, activity and workstation management systems. By implementing software solutions for warehouse logistics, various types of warehouse activities are improved and, among other things, inventory is digitalized, which has a direct or indirect positive impact on stock management.
By digitalizing warehouses, companies benefit from real-time access to information about stock status and storage space. Receiving, putaway and picking activities can be accelerated and inventory errors reduced by monitoring workflows as soon as products enter the warehouse.
Automated inventory can be used to link warehousing, delivery and replenishment processes. Stock management activities are more easily organized and the digitalization of inventory, whether it is periodic or perpetual inventory, allows real-time monitoring of goods quantities and early identification of replenishment needs. The implementation of WMS (Warehouse Management System) systems creates the conditions for an efficient use of human and material resources in warehouses and, through integration with other systems, of those in other company departments (e.g. accounting).
Software applications for automated inventory management
Axes Software has created a WMS system, xTrack WMS, with modules and functionalities that facilitate the digitalization of inventory in logistics centres of different types and sizes. By implementing it, you make your inventory work much easier, whether you carry out annual, cyclical or location (and/or item) survey inventory checks.
In a digitalized warehouse, inventory is carried out faster and differentiated by item type, batch characteristics, serial number. Discrepancies are processed through the Adjustment Bin, a unique functionality of the xTrack WMS solution. By digitalizing the inventory you can view the inventory in real time, both at general stock or location level and at user (inventory team) level.
During automatic inventory, the system can warn users that the value entered may not be correct (pre-validation based on stock history). A recount function is available to the manager for the items with the largest discrepancies (in quantity or value) and only these items/locations can be selected for this additional verification process.
By scanning, items are automatically recorded. Also, certain data, such as batch, can be pre-filled or selected from a list of values (based on stock history). The application can automatically generate stock reports highlighting discrepancies from ERP stocks or previous stocks in the WMS. xTrack WMS shows inventory status, uninventoried locations and automatically exports inventory results to ERP, contributing overall to increased user productivity.
Depending on the degree of mobility, scalability and flexibility you want to benefit from, you can choose:
- xTrack WMS as a desktop application (classic version) – offers a wide range of functionalities which, as in all versions of this software solution, are customized according to the customer’s optimization needs. Benefit from real-time access to information on stock status and storage spaces, reduce inventory errors, easily monitor stock turnover and classify stocked items into ABC classes, respect order delivery priorities and more.
- xTrack WMS as a SaaS (Software as a Service) application – offers, in addition to the benefits of the classic version, other advantages related to the implementation and cost accounting simplification. You enjoy effortless installation and configuration, fast access, user-friendly interface, optimal cost/benefit ratio, connectivity via API interfacing with other external systems (ERP, website, applications from the xTrack LMS suite such as xTrack MES, xTrack TMS, xTrack PMS);
Other facilities you can benefit from by using the xTrack solution:
- xTrack WMS as a web-based application – it has the advantage of not requiring installation on your computer or other devices. Simply log in to a web browser, without the need for special hardware configurations. The web-based application is a software solution for companies that want to start digitalizing their inventory because it allows, together with the SaaS version, a very high user mobility. Updates are done directly on the server, so no special maintenance is required. You will automatically use the updated version of the web-based WMS every time you access the modules you are going to use.
- xTrack WMS FO Android as an android FO app for WMS – it is the newest WMS version created by Axes Software, which also runs successfully on Android OS mobile devices (tablet, smartphone, mobile computers). As a Front Office version, it is designed for users who are actually carrying out warehousing activities. They can work as soon as they log in and configure their own windows (font size, colour theme, etc.) thanks to the intuitive settings in the app. xTrack WMS FO Android does not use WMS server resources and can also be used offline, as it has a certain autonomy even in such a situation.
Many companies have logistics digitalization on their list of organizational goals. For this reason, they need to work with specialized companies to provide them with the necessary customized solutions for connecting systems and devices used in different segments of the supply chain and automating workflows through data collection and processing.
If you need software solutions for digitalizing inventory and setting up digitalized warehouses suited to your company’s logistics needs, fill in the form below and you will hear from us!
