Technology is impacting every area of our lives, especially when it comes to business. No matter what industry you are in, the changes technology has been responsible for are undeniable. You may not have even noticed it, but technology has improved business and warehouse functions in the following ways.
1. Increased Productivity And Collaboration
While the heavy usage of e-mail communication is very obvious, newer technology that is mostly cloud-based is allowing employees to be more productive and collaborative than ever before. Radio may be old, but seamless wireless communication in warehouse settings is a lot newer. This allows your employees to have access to more instant communication and therefore collaborate with more efficiency rather than wasting time accidentally by going to perform a task that has already been completed, for example.
2. GPS, Inventory And Distribution Tracking
When storing and shipping goods long distances, modern GPS tracking has helped distribution become quicker, more efficient and easier to track. This allows supervisors a more up-to-date, realistic picture of where his or her pieces are on the board at any given minute and to make decisions accordingly. This also helps with inventory, because it’s much easier to know now, thanks to inventory and distribution tracking software, where your products are at any given time.
3. Modern Equipment
Modern equipment, such as newer forklifts from Crown Equipment, come with more standard safety features than ever before. Working in a warehouse has always been considered one of the more dangerous occupations, but less people are injured or die thanks to new equipment and machinery that have automatic shut-off features and integrated cameras. Daily inspection and following recommended and required federal and employer safety procedures goes even further to prevent severe injury or death.
4. Easier Employee Management
Employee management software is becoming more and more popular in all kinds of businesses, and it can be modified to suit the needs of practically every industry. This type of software allows supervisors to track the progress employees are making on a project or assignment as well as give them feedback in real time. This is often far more helpful to employees than annual reviews are, and it makes it more likely for an employee to correct a problem sooner rather than continue to make the same error unbeknownst to others.
Technology will continue to change the world we work in at a rapid pace, especially in warehousing and distribution. The single best thing you and your company can do to remain up-to-date is to stay knowledgeable about new available technologies and software so you can critically evaluate them for usefulness in your business.