Barcode System Archives – unicommerce.com

How to Implement Barcode Inventory Management System?

Team Unicommerce — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:56:57 +0000

In your path to reducing manual dependencies, increasing operational efficiency, achieving higher productivity and profitability, managing your inventory using barcoding is one of the most important aspects to consider for your business.

A good inventory management software works best with a fast and accurate barcoding system and becomes completely necessary if you:

Manage your inventory on a big scale in a warehouse
Consume inventory for self utilization such as training and photoshoot purposes
Have Vendor alliances who rely on barcode scanning
Sell through multiple sales channels Online/Offline

As useful as a barcode inventory management system is, the process to fully equip your warehouse and utility centers with this system can be a little tricky and time-consuming. But we at Unicommerce are here to solve this very problem of yours with our guidance and support to help you implement a robust inventory management system using barcodes for improved efficiency and productivity of your warehouse/business operations.

This blog has been designed to help you grab onto the most useful information about what is barcode scanning, why it is necessary for your business and how to implement it whether you are a small or large scale business.

First off, let us understand what exactly is a barcode and how can you manage inventory efficiently using barcodes!

What are Barcodes?

Barcode tracking or scanning is the method to streamline inventory allocation, tracking and maintenance.

Typically present in 3 forms, barcode systems have now become essential for not only keeping track of inventory but also to extract data, make secure payments and much more.

Initially, barcode scanning systems were of numeric and alpha-numeric form and were considered as one-dimensional with a unique combination of letters and numbers and or bars of different widths.

QR codes are another form that are square in shape and include a combination of small lines and dots. The QR codes are considered to be two-dimensional.

No matter what type of barcode you choose, their use provides some huge advantages when it comes to managing your inventory. As barcodes are unique, room for error is almost null and that is what makes it so much more efficient and necessary for your e-commerce business. Now let us try to decode what exactly a barcoding scanning system is and how it makes a difference for you in your efforts to manage inventory.

What is Barcode Inventory Management System?

A barcode inventory management system allows your warehouse staff to scan these unique QR codes with a barcode scanner, a device especially made to read barcodes, to automatically present complete data of the inventory in question.

When scanned, each barcode exhibits specific information and data about each item from the Universal Product Code (UPC) which is then transferred to your online inventory database. The labels and functions on your inventory can also be easily customized as per industry standards to help you be updated.

Now that you have a fair understanding of what Barcode Scanning is and how it works, let us look at some benefits of implementing a barcode system for inventory management.

Benefits of Barcode Inventory Management System

Using the right Inventory Management Software with Barcodes will give you a lot of advantages this in your overall operations, productivity and profitability including:

1. Error Proof Results
2. Complete Security
3. Higher Savings
4. Control over Information
5. Fast and Easy Handling

#1 Error Proof Results

With no more manual dependency, the chances of error become almost null increasing your productivity and with little to no room for data miscalculations.

#2 Complete Security

The biggest advantage of having a barcode inventory management system is that it gives you the ease to have complete knowledge of where, with whom and how much inventory you have. Barcodes allow you to trace your inventory in cases of theft, wrong and or damaged deliveries all at a single panel right at your fingertips.

#3 Higher Savings

Automation not only cuts back on manual dependencies but also reduces the overall cost to a company to manage its inventory and warehouse operations. Barcoding helps you reduce labour and training costs and gives you complete visibility of inventory to help you assign work accordingly.

#4 Control over Information

Crucial information about various assets can be easily tracked with the help of barcode scanning and this enables each business to print and customize additional information that they wish to share with the end-users. From the built and type of an inventory to the locations from where it has been sent, all can be detailed in the barcode labels.

#5 Fast and Easy Handling

When you have all the information about each of your products right in a tiny QR code, you can process huge chunks of data within minutes by a simple scan and derive conclusive results based on real-time updates benefitting your overall profitability.

With these highly impressive advantages of having a barcode inventory management system, I’m sure now you must be thinking of understanding the process of how to actually take on this solution and align it with your current structure of operations!

How to Implement Barcode Inventory Management System?

Transitioning from a manual to automated barcoding system may look like a huge task but with the right support and guidance, you can not only achieve the right implementation but also reap long term benefits of the solution.

Here are the major processes involved for small or large scale eCommerce businesses, to begin with, a barcode tracking system or an inventory barcode system.

#1 Check what the Industry accepts

The first step is to ensure that you are aligned to adopt the ongoing or latest barcode system which is acceptable by the government and used within the eCommerce industry.

You need to check with the mandated norms of packaging and labelling of your products that will be eligible for acceptance. You will also have to decide between choosing a 1D or 2D label, both of which can be used based on your workflow, product, etc.

#2 Create a Product Code

Once you know what is acceptable and correct as per industry norms, you need to create an asset code in accordance with the rules. The code you create can be a Universal Product Code (UPC) or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU).

UPCs are 12 digit long codes, broadly more accepted for business uses around the globe, and can be received by registering with Global Standard 1, which then can be used to trace and get updates on your products across the world.

SKUs, on the other hand, are 8 digit long codes that are unique to every business. They can be generated manually or using an inventory management system and can be used for internal operations such as stock maintenance, tracking and data processing.

#3 Finalize what information to put

Your barcode will have all the necessary information about your product and business to be successfully carried out and delivered to the right customer. To ensure that, you need to finalize what all you want to put in the label including location, identity numbers, expiration date for perishable items and much more.

Using a combination of numbers, letters, colours and shapes of labels can help you differentiate between all the items and to avoid wrong deliveries.

#4 Generate the Barcode

After finalizing everything right from how you want your barcode to look like and what information it should contain, the main task of creating a barcode for each of your products begins.

This massive task can be done by either using an online barcode generator or a free barcode software. Once you have created the barcode, you need to print the label sheet using any standard printer (inkjet, laser or thermal).

#5 Pick the right Barcode Scanner

While you might have cautiously followed the above 4 steps, if you do not invest in having a good scanner to extract all the information put on your barcode, you might see no results.

A scanner is a wired or wireless device that allows your staff to maintain operations throughout the warehouse and gives real-time updates on your inventory. If you use wireless scanners you get the flexibility to move around the facility and have all the data from these scanners stored into a memory chip that can be later transferred to your computer systems.

You can also go for a wired scanner that is usually cheaper but needs to be plugged at all times during use, to a computer and a charging outlet.

Handheld barcode scanners wired or wireless, are the most beneficial for both small or large businesses. While it costs a little more than any other type of scanners, it is a one-time investment that is sure to streamline your entire inventory management process once and for all.

#6 Select a Barcode Software

Having a software program to manage your inventory and all other operational tasks has become a mandate now due to the heavy demands and higher expectations by the customers.

The same applies for barcode scanning, and to further ease things for you, there are some really great options to choose from. But the only thing to keep in mind is to choose a software that operates as per your business standards and allows customization.

All these steps will ensure a smooth and successful implementation of the barcode inventory system, but what changes will they bring to your warehouse operations you ask?

How will a Barcode Inventory Management System improve your Warehouse Operations?

With lots of overall benefits that a well-implemented barcode system can provide you, there surely are some specific improvements that you will see in your e-commerce warehouse management system within a short period of time post transitioning.

Business growth, increased productivity, higher efficiency and accuracy are some of the most basic outputs of a good barcode inventory management system, but there are many more features that enhance your warehouse operations to distinguish your business from others and help you scale up rapidly. The right barcode system:

Enables Paperless Operations
Eliminates Picking Errors
Provides Accurate Allocations
Reduces time to locate inventory (bin and shelf)
Cheaper to Implement
Easy-to-use interface for all staff
Allows cost-effectiveness
Generates real-time analysis of data
Updates when inventory is low
Improves purchasing and ordering processes

Impressed by how a single transition can change the way you do business?

You can achieve all these benefits and improve your ROI by simply hiring the best and most trusted technology solutions provider in the country!

How can you Streamline Inventory Management using Barcode Scanning?

Team Unicommerce — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:58:52 +0000

What’s the biggest goal of your e-commerce business? Is it organizing inventory operations so that the operational costs get minimized while the profit margins get amplified? Isn’t it? But what’s the one thing you must invest in to keep up with the operations?

Deploying an agile barcoding system = managed and efficient inventory management. Why? Barcoding can simply save all the hassles of manually tracking and monitoring the inventory by giving you quick access to your product along with its description, availability in the warehouse, prices, and many other aspects. Additionally, for large businesses with diverse and complex product lines, a barcode scanning system monitors inventory, tracks assets, creates orders while enhancing operational efficiency.

In a nutshell, an inventory management software works best with a fast and accurate barcoding system and becomes completely necessary if you:

Manage your inventory on a big scale in a warehouse
Have vendor alliances who rely on barcode scanning
Sell through multiple sales channels online/offline

As useful as a barcode inventory management system is, the process to fully equip your warehouse and utility centers with this system can be a little tricky and time-consuming. And there are plenty of tools that support this low-cost data collection technology. But which one is best for your business?

Let us understand what exactly a barcode is, and how you can manage inventory & warehouse efficiently using barcodes.

What are Barcodes – 1D Barcode vs 2D Barcode

Barcodes are a machine-readable representation of numerics and characters. They generally consist of bars and spaces and are used in tracking inventory at an operational level. While it is difficult for a person to manually store letters and numbers in the backend system, a barcode scanner device can track multiple characters at a single point in time, saving both time and money.

Barcode tracking or scanning is the method to streamline inventory allocation, tracking, and maintenance. When scanned, each barcode exhibits specific information and data about each item from the Universal Product Code (UPC) which is then transferred to your online inventory database. The labels and functions on your inventory can also be easily customized as per industry standards to help you be updated.

Typically, a barcode system is classified into two different types; 1D and 2D. Although the scanners might seem simple, it’s important for you to distinguish between the two hardware types as their contrasting functionalities make a lot of difference.

1D Barcodes

One-dimensional barcodes come in numeric and alpha-numeric forms. They are a unique combination of vertical bars of different widths and numbers. The space present between the lines generally allows the scanners to recognize the product. While these types of barcodes are used to track inventory including raw materials, finished products, products sold, etc., you can also use them to track fixed assets for keeping financial records balanced. Some types of 1D barcodes are; USPS IMB, Code 39, UPC-E, EAN 128, EAN-13, etc.

2D Barcodes

The two-dimensional barcodes provide more information to the user as compared to 1D barcodes. These types of barcodes include a combination of small lines and dots. They are generally designed as a squared-shape figure with multiple pixelated dots or geometric figures. With a single scan, these types of barcodes can disclose data, such as quantity, price, web address, image, etc. The QR code is one of the examples of these types of barcodes. Some of the examples of the 2D scanners are; Aztec, MaxiCode, Data Matrix, PDF 417, etc.

Now let us try to decode the barcoding scanning system in-depth and understand how it makes a difference for you in your efforts to manage your warehouse inventory.

How can you Streamline Inventory Management across Warehouses with Barcode Scanning?

Due to the uniqueness of barcodes, there is no or very little room for errors. That’s what makes it best to manage your e-commerce business. Now let us try to decode how a barcode system makes a difference for you in your efforts to manage inventory & warehouse.

Here are a few of the main reasons why you need a barcode system in your warehouse!

1. Organize inventory and warehouse operations easily

Since a barcode consists of a huge chunk of data including the product specs, SKU code, date of manufacturing, expiry date, country of origin, etc., which in its absence is hard to record manually. This detailed information not only lets you organize inventory in a systematized manner but also saves you from huge losses. Assume; you want to follow the FIFO system in your warehouse but checking the expiry date of each item will both consume more time and money. With barcode scanners in handy, you can process huge chunks of data within minutes by a simple scan and derive conclusive results based on real-time updates, benefitting your overall profitability.

2. Minimize the Duplication of Resources

In the warehouse, there is an increased chance for an item to get lost or misplaced. But with the help of barcode scanners, locating items in bins or shelves becomes easier, saving the unnecessary duplication of time & resources. Additionally, barcodes allow you to trace your inventory in cases of theft, wrong, and or damaged deliveries all at a single panel right at your fingertips.

3. Manage Maintenance, Repairs, and Operations (MRO) Easily

While some part of the inventory is meant to be picked and packed for shipping to the customers, another part of it is kept for maintenance, repairs, and operations (MRO). It generally consists of materials that are used in production processes and are not a part of the end product directly. For instance, you run an e-commerce business of fashion apparel. Now imagine, during the peak holiday season, you have a large volume of orders to be fulfilled but all of a sudden you ran out of some important spare parts. But if you would have a barcode scanner to scan your warehouse essentials your day would have been saved. Thus, using a barcode for MRO is imperative.

4. Control over Information

Crucial information about various assets can be easily tracked with the help of barcode scanning and this enables each business to print and customize additional information that they wish to share with the end-users. From the built and type of inventory to the locations from where it has been sent, all can be detailed in the barcode labels.

5. Maintain Error-Proof Results

Manual dependency tends to increase the chances of errors. Ask yourself; is feeding inventory data into sheets easier for you? Maybe for 50 or 100 products, but not when you have to manage thousands of items at once. If you have a barcode system in place, you would be able to track any sort of inventory discrepancy. While you will be saved from shipping the wrong item to the wrong address, it will also reduce order returns. Thus, with barcoding, the chances of error become almost null increasing your productivity and with little to no room for data miscalculations.

6. Higher Savings

Automation not only cuts back on manual dependencies but also reduces the overall cost to a company to manage its inventory and warehouse operations. Barcoding helps you reduce labor and training costs and gives you complete visibility of inventory to help you assign work accordingly.

7. Improve the Cycle Count Process

Using Cycle Count in your warehouse surely enables you to reduce or eliminate the need for periodically or annually counting the physical inventories. But ask yourself that if your barcode system is intact then how easier will it become to implement the process. From checking the shelf location to verifying the physical count of inventory to reconciling any sort of missing inventory, everything will be sorted with a barcoding system.

Improve your Overall Business Operations and Minimize Time & Cost Using a Barcode System!

With the overall benefits that a well-implemented barcode system can provide you, there surely are some specific improvements that you will see in your warehouse management within a short period of time post transitioning. While a barcode system in place can accelerate your business growth, it definitely possesses the power to simplify and ease out the entire process of tracking and chances of human errors. Not to mention, the bigger your business grows, the greater your operational requirements increase. But with low-cost and portable tools such as barcode scanners, you can decrease human errors and cut any sort of operational costs.

Related read –

Read how Businesses are growing with Unicommerce –

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E-commerce Apparel Industry in the Philippines: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions

Team Unicommerce — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 10:53:19 +0000

The fashion and retail industry of the Philippines is rapidly evolving. It is projected to experience strong growth in the coming years, with a CAGR of 15.01% and a market volume to reach US$ 1,363 million by 2027.

With a population of over 110 million people and a rapidly growing middle class, consumer spending power is also increasing. This has led to a surge in demand for fashionable clothes and accessories and opportunities for businesses to thrive.

Highlights of the E-commerce Apparel Industry in the Philippines: Opportunities & Trends

The Apparel market is on the rise, with a projected revenue of US$779.10 million in 2023.
Robust growth is anticipated, with an annual growth rate of 15.01% between 2023 and 2027. This will lead to a market volume of US$1,363 million by 2027.
While the Philippines is seeing growth, China dominates the market with a staggering revenue projection of US$131,300 million in 2023.
The number of users in the Apparel market in the Philippines is set to increase, reaching an estimated 34.2 million users by 2027.
User penetration in the market is growing steadily, starting at 22.4% in 2023, and is forecasted to reach 27.5% by 2027.
The average spending of each user, or ARPU, in the market is projected to be US$29.62.

However, along with these opportunities comes a unique set of challenges for the retailers operating in this region. So, let’s explore the challenges, opportunities, and solutions of the Philippines’ booming fashion industry.

Overcoming E-commerce Apparel Industry Challenges with Solutions in the Philippines

The apparel industry is known for its ability to adapt to ever-evolving styles and trends. However, this state of flux brings notable challenges, including the following:

1. Real-time Inventory Management

In the fast-paced fashion industry, managing inventory is crucial. The task of mapping an extensive SKU base with orders on various marketplaces like Lazada, Zalora, Shopee, etc., can become tedious and error-prone if handled manually. For Example, manual mapping can sometimes lead to the same products being marked with different SKUs, causing them to be counted as separate items.

Adding to the complexity, the fast-changing trends in the apparel industry lead to short product life cycles. Fluctuating demand and rapidly changing fashion trends can lead to overstocking or stockouts, both of which can be costly for retailers.

Solution – Implementing Barcode Inventory Management System

Retailers should implement a robust Barcode Inventory Management System to tackle these challenges. This system enables real-time tracking and accurate monitoring of inventory levels. The centralized SKU mapping enables retailers to streamline operations and ensure consistent product identification across various sales channels.

With precise insights, retailers can optimize stock levels, minimize stockouts, and enhance order processing efficiency. Brands like Luxurious Cravings have successfully leveraged these automated systems to stay ahead in the competitive market.

Moreover, these automated systems not only streamline inventory control but also provide comprehensive reports. These reports offer valuable data and analytics, empowering retailers to make informed decisions and anticipate future demands.

Given the rapidly changing pace of the fashion industry, these reports provide sellers with the latest trends. They provide insights into the best-selling and lowest-performing SKUs, allowing retailers to form their strategies effectively.

2. Order Processing and Fulfillment

Retailers in the Philippines face significant challenges with processing and delivering orders. Businesses need to handle this task well to uplift the post-purchase experience of their customers. The region has different kinds of areas, some with modern facilities and others with fewer resources.

Also, the presence of islands within the Republic of the Philippines adds a distinctive layer of complexity to the logistical landscape. The country consists of more than 7000 islands, and shipping and returning goods between these islands require a refined transportation and coordination strategy to guarantee timely and undamaged deliveries. This can make it tricky to process and deliver orders on time, especially in remote areas.

Solution – Automating the Entire Order Processing Workflow

Implementing a robust order management system can centralize and streamline the entire order processing workflow, from order placement to delivery. Retailers can consider investing in systems with solid integrations with 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) providers. These established logistics companies have expertise in navigating the region’s diverse landscapes, resulting in timely deliveries and higher order fulfillment rates.

Leading brands like Ellana Cosmetics have successfully achieved faster, better, and more efficient deliveries through automation. The brand achieved an impressive 99.99% order fulfillment rate by implementing a robust e-commerce order management system.

3. Product Returns and Reverse Logistics

Returns management is crucial in establishing a solid brand reputation, especially in the apparel industry with high return rates. A cumbersome and slow returns process can result in customer dissatisfaction and negatively impact brand reputation.

Businesses must also be vigilant about fraudulent returns, where some customers may abuse the process for personal gain. For example, some individuals may return used or damaged items, claiming they are faulty, in order to receive refunds or replacements.

Solution – Using a Robust Returns Management System

To address these challenges, it’s essential to implement an efficient returns management system that facilitates smooth and quick handling of product returns, ensuring a positive post-purchase experience for customers.

The system should include features like easy return initiation, seamless reverse pickup, thorough quality checks, inventory reconciliation, refund processing, and more. This can help retailers minimize return processing time, reduce operational costs, and maintain a positive brand image.

4. Changing Landscape of the Retail Industry

One of the biggest challenges facing fashion retailers is the industry’s changing landscape. With advancements in technology and shifting consumer preferences, traditional brick-and-mortar stores are facing intense competition from online retailers.

D2C brands are investing heavily in technology to build a strong supply chain ecosystem and drive traffic to their brand websites. The convenience and accessibility offered by online shopping have revolutionized how people shop for clothing and accessories. As a result, many traditional retailers have had to rethink their strategies and find ways to integrate online platforms into their business models.

On the other hand, digital-first brands, which initially started as online-only entities, have recognized the value of offline presence and are expanding into physical retail spaces. This convergence of online and offline retail indicates a shift towards a more holistic approach to retailing, where brands are exploring multiple ways to connect with consumers.

Solution – Building a Strong Omnichannel Presence

In this ever-changing landscape, it has become essential for retailers to build a solid online presence. However, it is equally important to maintain a physical store as well. Adopting an omnichannel approach allows retailers to seamlessly integrate their online and offline channels, providing customers with a cohesive shopping experience across all touchpoints. For instance, with an omnichannel strategy, customers can order online and return offline and vice-versa, or they can choose products online and try them in person.

For this, businesses need to have a user-friendly website or mobile app that offers convenient browsing and purchasing options while ensuring that brick-and-mortar stores are visually appealing and provide exceptional customer service. By creating a seamless online and offline shopping experience, retailers can attract and retain customers in an increasingly competitive market.

Leading omni brands like Edamama have successfully implemented an impactful e-commerce strategy to strengthen their presence in the market.

Let’s Make Fashion Business Easy in the Philippines!

While there are challenges facing the fashion retail industry in the Philippines, there are also immense opportunities for growth and success. Retailers can navigate the evolving landscape by staying agile, embracing technology advancements, and understanding consumer needs. As the Philippines continues to be a hotbed for fashion innovation and consumption, it is crucial for retailers to stay ahead of trends and constantly innovate to stay relevant in this dynamic market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What factors affect the fashion and retail industry in the Philippines?

Factors affecting the fashion and retail industry in the Philippines are the shifts in consumer preferences, the economic fluctuations of the country, the changing landscape of the e-commerce industry, the growing online penetration, increased competition, and the ever-changing supply chain dynamics.

2. What is the weakness of the fashion industry in the Philippines?

The weakness of the fashion industry in the Philippines lies in various factors, such as its reliance on imported raw materials, limited infrastructure, and inconsistent regulatory frameworks across different regions in the country.

3. What are the popular fashion trends in the Philippines?

Fashion trends in the Philippines can vary from city to city, but some popular trends in the region include a fusion of traditional and modern elements, vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and a mix of Western and local fashion influences. Moreover, streetwear, sustainable fashion, and athleisure are gaining popularity among the younger demographics.

Explore our platforms:

Related read on E-commerce in Philippines –

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How to Implement a Barcoding System in 5 Easy Steps!

Team Unicommerce — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:50:16 +0000

Imagine you have multiple warehouses with a large volume of inventory. Now let us ask you this. Is it possible for you to keep track of each item’s availability manually? It’s not just irrational, but it’s also impossible to execute the same without a powerfully built scanning system.

You might not be able to relate right now, but if you have ever witnessed unnecessary inventory stockouts, you would realize the importance of a barcode system.

A barcode system not only gives a clear picture of your inventory but also makes the overall warehouse process easier for your business. Reckon it, when all the crucial information concerning your warehouse is stored in a handheld device, you can both perform operations and derive conclusive results that will eventually benefit your overall profitability.

In addition to this, the automation with barcode scanners enables warehouse managers to retrieve and collate the type of information which is impossible to get manually. While this information is used for speedy processing of operations, managers often use the data to make decisions at the warehouse level, enhancing and improving the management of warehouse operations.

Now you must be thinking about how to implement the process of barcoding? Aren’t you? Before we give you an overview of how to implement it, let’s first check on the things you need to implement the system seamlessly. Let’s dig deep into it then!

3 Things you Need to Implement a Barcode System!

1. Warehouse management system

A warehouse management system is what makes the foundation of your operations. Usually, pulling orders, and putting up inventory for the same takes hours or even days. But if you want to increase the bottom line and fasten up the response time, a centralized warehouse management system is what you need as it gives full visibility of inventory.

2. Wireless barcode scanner with barcoding software

The next step has to install barcode scan guns along with the software that fits on top of it. Generally, the WMS provider that you chose in the initial step suggests you a barcode software that works the best with their system.

3. Wireless access point (WAP)

Now, you need a WAP to connect barcode scan guns wirelessly over the network. Not only do they integrate all the scanners with a wireless network but also allow you to scan products seamlessly as long as you’re in their range.

Read: How Unicommerce’s advanced D2C Solutions helped PlumGoodness in Inventory Management across multiple sales channels!

How to Implement a Barcode Enabled Inventory Management System?

After you have made the decision to manage your inventory with a barcode system, your next step, or we would say a series of steps would be to work on its implementation.

Transitioning from a manual to an automated barcoding system may look like a huge task but with the right support and guidance, you can not only achieve the right implementation but also reap the long-term benefits of the solution. Following are the steps you must follow while setting up a barcode system in your warehouse.

1. Define each SKU and finalize the information to insert in a barcode

To successfully carry out your business, your barcode must have all the necessary information about your product. So start off by defining each SKU as it allows you to have an actual stock count without spending hours and days filling out spreadsheets. While this step can let you get the inventory count right, it also allows you to determine the attributes of your inventory via its code.

To ensure that, initiate by defining all the SKUs & variants while finalizing what all you want to put on the label. With each label, you can include useful information, such as:

Item name & description
Location
Identity numbers
An expiration date for perishable items
Vendor Information, and more.

Hot Tip: Using a combination of numbers, letters, colors, and shapes of labels can help you differentiate between all the items and to avoid wrong deliveries.

2. Select a barcode System to track the inventory movement

Having a software program to manage your inventory and all other operational tasks have become a mandate now due to the heavy demands and higher expectations by the customers. The same applies to barcode scanning. While it harmonizes your operational processes, you get real-time insights and inputs of your inventory when integrated with the right barcode system. Through this step, you’ll be able to easily track your inventory movement right from the individual attribute (color, design, etc.).

Imagine this; your warehouse inventory is connected with barcode software. Now if you want to track the journey of a White Round Neck T-shirt, you can easily do that by barcode scanning.

To further ease things for you, there are some really great options to choose from. But the only thing to keep in mind is to choose a software that operates as per your business standards and allows customization. Some of the best barcoding software systems, including Zebra (Zebra GC420T, Zebra GT820, etc.), TSC (TSC TTP345, TSC DA310, etc.), and more.

Hot Tip: Moreover, also keep in mind that you either use your POS system to create barcodes or integrate your ERP/POS and accounting software to further simplify your business processes as it will allow you to accumulate financial data easily.

3. Determine the type of barcode you want to deploy

While you might have cautiously followed the above two steps, if you do not invest in having a good scanner to extract all the information put on your barcode, you might see no results.

But why do you need to know which type of barcode suits your business the best? Because barcode scanners allow you to manage your products in multiple batches, which eventually lets you know which item or batch to pick first based on methods, such as FIFO & FEFO.

So what are the different types of barcodes that you can make the most of?

1D Barcodes: Initially, barcode scanning systems were of numeric and alpha-numeric form and were considered as one-dimensional with a unique combination of letters and numbers and or bars of different widths.
2D Barcodes: This barcode type is rising with the increasing usage of smartphones. While it consists of data matrix codes, it has the power to encode more than 7,000 characters. The QR codes are considered to be two-dimensional. They include a combination of small lines and dots.

[Know more about different types of Barcodes in detail.]

4. Centralize your system with new barcodes

Your next step is to upgrade your existing inventory management system or rather integrate it with your new barcode system so that you can actually execute the idea for which you deployed barcodes. Not to mention how important this step is for you because this way you can practically centralize your inventory for all the sales channels (marketplaces, brand’s website) where you sell.

So to start off, you will need to fill in the SKU information into the software so that when you scan the product you will be able to understand its attributes.

5. Print and label the barcode to start the process

So your next or rather last step is to print the barcodes and label each item with them in order to streamline the whole process of inventory management. This step summarises everything we discussed in detail. But before you print the barcodes, you need to choose the right printer. Here’s a tip for you, choose the printer that can be integrated with your barcoding system in the best manner. While that perfect match can simplify the process, a poor fit can further make things hard for you.

This step will put everything in place as you can:

Track at which stage your inventory is
Distinguish between good and bad inventory
Follow expiry management methods such as FIFO & FEFO

Hot Tip: Take extra care when you label the inventory with barcodes. Why? While some items might need foil tags due to asymmetrical surfaces, items used for cleaning purposes might need laminated materials.

How does a Barcode System Improve your Overall Warehouse Operations?

With lots of overall benefits that a well-implemented barcode system can provide you, there surely are some specific improvements that you will see in your warehouse management within a short period of time post transitioning.

Business growth, increased productivity, higher efficiency and accuracy are some of the most basic outputs of a good barcode inventory management system, but there are many more features that enhance your warehouse operations to distinguish your business from others and allow you to scale up rapidly. From enabling paperless operations to eliminating picking errors to providing accurate allocations, barcoding enabled inventory and warehouse management system generates a real-time analysis of data while improving overall process efficiency. Achieve all the benefits and improve your business ROI by deploying the best barcode system.

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Simplifying Receiving and Putaway Operations of Warehouse: Prerequisites of Warehouse Management

Team Unicommerce — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 19:01:36 +0000

If you are an e-commerce business, no matter how big or small, you need to have your warehouse operations in order to scale up and keep your business running smoothly.

But managing and maintaining the complete warehouse operations for your business is not at all an easy task or something to be done manually as your business grows over time.

Not having standardised guidelines and processes in place to run your warehouse is the most common issue faced by millions of businesses, but by working on this very basic yet crucial part of your day to day operations can help you achieve higher productivity and increase your overall profitability.

The second blog in our 5 part series of warehouse focused write-ups deals with the first two most important and conventional processes necessary for a warehouse to run smoothly, the processes of

Receiving of fresh stocks
Put-away of fresh stocks

Starting off with the Receiving operations of a warehouse, the process involves the transfer of goods and services from one party to another in the form of new stocks or supplies.

Receiving Operations of Warehouse

The process is highly sensitive to the e-commerce wms staff and needs complete accuracy and efficiency to ensure the credibility of the transaction and to avoid any liabilities on your part.

The process of receiving is essential for a business both in terms of fulfilling consumer demands as well as maintaining uninterrupted operations within the facility as stocks are required for both functions.

Receiving operations require financial documentation of the inventory received in order to create errorless accounting and payments for the goods asked for. The process involves a full procedure to account for each shipment received and includes the steps to:

Checking the quality of goods received
Confirming the condition of items acquired
Ensuring the quantity of inventory obtained
Allocating space to the goods in the warehouse
Preparing paperwork in accordance to shipments

Even the slightest of error in any one of these procedures can cost the company to pay for any loss, damage or theft of an item, directly impacting the overall profitability of the business. To ensure no such thing happens, it is necessary for businesses to onboard a technologically advanced and automated warehouse management system that streamlines the process of receiving as well as putaway.

To ensure your receiving process is highly efficient and eliminates room for error, you need to incorporate the below cycle:

1. Unload the shipment

Receiving begins as soon as the shipment is unloaded from the transport to the unloading docks of the warehouse and the following steps ensure smooth unloading of the items:

Quantity of the shipment is checked
Invoice Receipt Note or IRN is generated
Goods are kept in the Bulk area for verification
Receipt of the logistics is signed to release the transport
GRN or Goods Receipt Note for detailed inspection of goods is done

2. Verify the delivery

Post the IRN and GRN creation the next step involves cross-checking all details of the goods received. You have to make sure that the delivery received matches the requirements raised in the purchase order which includes all the details right from descriptions and quantities of each order.

Include the following points in your checklist:

Product Codes
Shipment description
Weight of the cargo
Condition of orders received
Damages or missing items

If you find any inconsistencies between the purchase order and the consignment records, raise a query right away to avoid any issues with the suppliers

3. Generate Unique Barcodes

Once the verification is done, the process of adding the received goods into the warehouse stock begins, and that is done by either created unique barcodes for the consignment or adding the pre-existing barcodes into the system and based on the shipment type, classifying them as:

Item Level – unique SKU is given to each item, done for products like mobiles, televisions, etc
SKU Level – the same SKU is given to a group of items, done for products like bottles, cutlery, etc
None Level – a single SKU is given to the entire shipment, done for products like pens, food items, etc

These SKUs are then organized for better storage and monitoring. For each SKU, shortage-debit notes and excess notes are created along with uploading extra GRN columns and manufacturer batch-codes as and when required. The data of these notes may include manufacturing and expiry dates, factory number, belt number etc.

4. Perform Quality Checks

After each shipment is accounted for and given unique identification for easy acknowledgment, the next process in line is to perform specific quality control checks which further distinguish the received items as good or bad inventory. The process of QC involves:

Having random checks on each shipment
Analyzing quality, size, condition of items
Marking good and bad inventory
Providing shelves to good inventory (putaway process, discussed further in the blog)
Initiating RTV or return to vendor for bad inventory

Both good and bad inventory needs to be recorded and information of the same needs to be sent to the suppliers as well as the payroll team to complete the process of receiving.

5. Issue Payment Information

After carefully examining the items received, a payment receipt is to be generated and sent to the concerned accounting teams which then proceeds to carry out these steps to ensure right payouts:

Match the payment receipt post QC with that of the invoice received on the shipment
In cases of any differences, the final amount payable is that of the good inventory received
Initiate payments and record the final invoice for future use

Putaway Operations of Warehouse

When the process of receiving is all done and the payments are cleared out, the putaway operations of the good inventory received in the warehouse begins.

As the name goes, putaway of goods received from various vendors, refers to the process of allocating the best accessible places within the warehouse to ensure optimized warehouse operations, faster picking and packing, smoother deliveries and overall better customer experience. With the right putaway process, your business will experience:

Efficient storage of goods
Higher safety of products
Accurate documentation of goods
Better Utilization of space
Easier access to products
Lesser time to locate items

The right warehouse management system enables eCommerce businesses to achieve all of the above by providing highly effective putaway processes.

Putaway and shelf allocation are done based on order rotation, dimensions, weight, fragility, categorisation, and some other properties of each product and the structure of the warehouse.

A putaway list is generated and a worker is assigned to carry out the process by scanning SKU barcodes in the list and assigning locations for each of the items based on their demand, time to pick and pack, size and life.

1. Direct Putaway

The process of direct putaway requires immediate shifting of the incoming inventory to a specified location in the warehouse. Using the direct putaway method, saves a lot of time as shipment received is directly placed at a designated location and is easier to trace and cut shorts for your delivery preparations.

2. Dynamic Putaway

The dynamic putaway method requires storing of received goods at the first available space allowing more convenience in terms of accessing the inventory when needed.

For shipments that are rather similar in quantity, quality and characteristics, the dynamic approach can be preferred. Using dynamic putaway you ensure faster deliveries of items higher on demand and help you manage your warehouse space in a better way.

3. Fixed- location Putaway

Allocating a permanent or fixed space to the incoming shipment is what this type of putaway process does. This method allows your warehouse staff to be familiar with each of the placements and be quicker on initiating picking, packing and delivery processes.

Using the fixed putaway process you get to have a higher functioning warehouse as it will be better managed and gives you the flexibility to prioritise goods based on their demand cycle.

Having the right technology solutions that allow you the ease to know exactly where your inventory is and makes your receiving process hassle-free is crucial if you wish to expand your business and provide great service to your customers.

Now that you have understood the method of putaway, you also need to understand that putaway happens for a number of activities whenever and wherever your products are moving.

Putaway can be done in majorly 3 different ways based on your requirements and storage availability.

Putaway process is required for every single time your product leaves its designated shelf and is taken to another location. Businesses may require putaway processes:

For when your products go for a photoshoot, sampling, etc
For transferring stock or fulfilment of stocks from one location to another
For cancelled items after they are picked, packed but not shipped

To tackle each such putaway process, you need to have a robust and fully automated warehouse management system that can keep checks on all the ongoing and upcoming putaway requirements and give you real-time updates.

The warehouse management system of Unicommerce allows you to manage both of the major tasks of receiving and putaway with utmost proficiency, accuracy and effectiveness. The platform provides over 8 different putaway methods right from:

Putaway of Cancelled Items
Putaway of GRN items
Putaway of Gate Pass items
Putaway of items ‘not bad’ post-inspection
Putaway of Picklist items

Putaway also happens during the process of returns, cancellations and exchange of products that include

Putaway of Returned Items
Putaway of Reverse Pickup
Putaway of Returned Item received

With Unicommerce, streamline your operations, enrich your overall productivity and experience the true potential of your business today. Click here to know more about our services or request a demo now!

Read our next blogs in the warehouse management series to understand the right ways to perform the most significant operational processes of Picking, Packing and Dispatch, Returns and Cancellations.

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