Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Trends
Improvement in technology and more demanding customers have caused changes in the industry over the past few years. There are basically four main reasons which contributed to why we need to look more closely at the receiving and shipping functions today.
1. Longer and Wider Trailers
Today, a typical trailer is able to carry an additional of two pallets of goods as trailer's width increased from 96 to 102 inches and length increase from 45 to 48 inches. The new trailer width and length also meant that the parking space for the trailer and radius of turning is wider, and receiving and shipping dock staging areas must be increased to handle more pallets. Also, dock leveler capacity have to be improved in order to serve the taller trailer.
2. Just-In-Time (JIT) Replenishment
JIT is a system of scheduling incoming deliveries to arrive at receiving dock just in time to replenish workstations or when needed by production. This means that lesser products are stored in the warehouse and more emphasis will be placed on receiving and shipping dock areas and operations instead of storing and picking operations. Cross-docking can also be seen in recent years. This means that goods are transferred directly from unloading to loading bay for forward shipping to final customer.
3. Computers, Barcoding, and RFID
Technology has improved over the years. Computers and barcoding have gradually reshaped the way receiving and shipping dock operates. Technology has allwed us to improve accuracy and productivity in document preparation, product identification, work scheduling, as well as flow of product and information throughout the warehouse/company. On the other hand, RFID is considered the potential new trend in the technology industry. This technology uses radio frequency to allow us to know the exact location of the product/vehicle real time. This will help improve utilization and productivity of truck, labour and equipment. Products which come into or going out of the warehouse will automatically be detected instead of having to scan or record manually.
4. New Loading and Unloading Equipment
New loading and unloading equipments include dock levelers, automatic loading and unloading systems, mobile warehouse equipment, and conveyor equipment. These equipments will focus on increasing the flexibility of the receiving and shipping departments to handle wide range of trailer sizes, and improve the safety, product flow and workers' productivity.
:)
12:10 AM