Easing Recall Burdens at the Warehouse( cont.)
patient in realizing results. Usually, you must implement progressive steps over time before obtaining return on investment( ROI).
• Involve operating personnel from the get-go. Do not wait until the system is about to go live to involve key staff— operating personnel should be part of your project team from the start. This reduces the learning curve and helps with buy in.
• Be proactive. Follow recommended preventative maintenance schedules instead of waiting for something to break at the most inopportune moment. You will not have to pay for expensive, major repairs down the road and will avoid delays that negatively affect customer satisfaction.
Positioning for the Future
While warehouse automation technology— a WES and an AS / RS— can help food professionals keep products fresh, prevent and mitigate recalls, enable compliance with industry regulations and protect consumers, they also provide long-term benefits that generate additional cost savings. The WES- AS / RS combination allows companies to improve overall efficiency, meet growing customer demand, raise productivity, lower risks, boost throughput and increase inventory accuracy. Plus, an AS / RS has an average life span of 25 to 30 years with typical payback periods of between three to five years.
For companies considering a WES, it is important to note that although a WES is able to replace WMS and WCS applications altogether, its flexibility allows for various deployment options. With a WES, users can enable or disable the WCS functions as needed. This approach lets companies implement an integrated WMS and WCS solution while only using the functionality needed at the time. As the company’ s needs grow and automation is introduced, the WCS functionality can be enabled quickly, saving time, training and other costs associated with buying a new system.
As reports of recalls and industry regulations show no signs of slowing down, it is up to food professionals to investigate new means for mitigating these harmful incidents and promoting food safety. The answer lies in technology, and warehouse automation is a key piece of the puzzle.
“ Easing Recall Burdens at the Warehouse,” Dave Williams, Food Quality & Safety, April / May 2016, Copyright © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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