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There is nothing quite as satisfying in a distribution center as a well-balanced inventory. Orders arrive, orders are shipped, and your fulfillment and delivery flows consistently like the tides. Inventory does not become overstock to take up space and have a negative impact on cash flow. With excellent inventory control, being out of stock of any item is a rare occasion.

Sadly, the perfectly balanced inventory is somewhat of a Zen-like ideal: The moment you identify the inventory as ‘balanced’, it morphs. The best you can do to manage the factors that affect inventory to control overstock or short-stocked items on the warehouse floor.

With some careful planning and a few deft adjustments to inventory management processes, you eventually establish a balance that you can maintain.

How can this be accomplished?

How well does your receiving process flow? Where is your warehouse at its strongest and what needs improvement?

Today we want to share four processes that include common shipping and receiving actions found in most businesses. We break down into three rating tiers:

• Marginal
• Average
• Oustanding

"That Looks Cool! Wonder How I Can Use It?"

For the true gadget lovers, we have the experience of being in a store full of gadgets and machines and occasionally see something that compels us to say, "I am not sure what it is, but how can I find a way to use it?"

If you haven't seen one yet, dimensional scanners definitely fall into that category. No one will be surprised if a true distribution center process nerd brings it home one day for personal use. 

What is a "Dimensional Scanner"?

A dimensional scanner is a specialized equipment that will scan and record the dimensions of an object - of any shape. When paired with a scale, the complete shape, weight and dimensions of any product can be recorded to a database and be the source of efficiency in multiple areas of the business.

...but how can we use a dimensional scanner?

If you are in the business of warehouse management, then you already know that efficiency is your critical metric when it comes to replenishment. After all, it never pays to work harder and not smarter when you are responsible for the safety and effectiveness of your warehouse crew.

If you had to determine what the most important part of your operations is right now, what would you say? Regardless of your answer, your top priority should always be picking. When it comes to ensuring that you are making the most out of your business and fulfilling your customer’s needs, picking has to be at the top of the list.

If you’re looking to improve your manufacturing process or supply chain, talk to your warehouse workers.

Managers and executive leadership can learn a lot from their workforce. The insights given by employees can help managers:

Understanding your supply chain is critical to running a successful business. Supply chain analytics refers to the insights and conclusions made from examining your supply chain.

There are specific drivers worth paying attention to. This article touches on four drivers in your supply chain that you need to know.

What new technologies change the way products are made and delivered? How does the increase in urban populations affect manufacturing trends? What does the growing global economy mean for manufacturing leaders?

Manufacturers and logistics companies must keep current with the changes in their industry if they want their businesses to survive. Here are 5 trends that manufacturing leaders can’t afford to ignore.

For most manufacturers, on-time delivery is seen as a bonus, not a requirement. Even though this metric can be incredibly valuable to the company and its clients, too many businesses are unable to meet such strict demands, and thus tend to treat is a luxury, not a defining characteristic.

Have you ever heard that the best working machine isn’t what you can’t add any more to, but the machine that you can’t take anything away from? Most often, simplifying a process is the best way to make sure that something works the best. The more moving parts you have in a machine or process, the more room for error you are going to have, the more pieces you are going to affect, and it might even be more difficult to locate the source of the actual problem.