Assuming workers have been cross-trained, real-time information can be used to optimize the workforce in the DC. For instance when plans change, as they often do, the WCS can suggest a plan for reallocating the available labor based on the new demand. If volume in receiving is low, management will alerted so that labor can be quickly reassigned to another area where volume is high.
In this way labor management systems (LMS) and WCS work in tandem with voice and/or RF technologies to reallocate labor and tasks throughout the DC. With the WCS technologies now available, managers get a workflow dashboard (similar to that shown above) that provides a visual representation of everything going on in the DC in real-time and by using the various dropdown menus, can easily make changes.
Real-time Control Extends Beyond the DC
Using point-of-sale (POS) technology, retail managers can see that they are about sold out of a specific SKU in one store, while there is a surplus in another store. Now instead of getting on the phone to manually arrange a stock transfer the transaction can be done quickly on-line.
For many retailers having access to up-to-the minute information about on-hand inventory and customers’ order shipping status is critical to managing their business. For example: did the cartons of snow shovels destined for Minnesota already ship, or can they be redirected to New York. In order to answer this type of inquiry the logistics provider must have real-time visibility into inventory, order fulfillment, shipping, and even billing.
According to HighJump, the best way to do that is through a Web-portal solution. A secure Web portal provides the basis for real-time information sharing and improved inventory visibility. This IT solution enables collaboration throughout the supply chain, giving customers the most accurate and timely view into the status of their orders. Customer can make knowledgeable decisions based on changing demand. So when the radar shows that the snowstorm has shifted to the northeast, they can access up-to-the-minute information to know whether they can re-direct those snow shovels to where the highest demand will be.
Likewise, with visibility into the contents of containers coming into port along with real-time inventory levels in DCs and stores, retailers can postpone the allocations of inventory on a cargo ship until it arrives at the DC receiving dock, then crossdock it to the store based on demand.
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