As technology progresses, organizations have been adding automation and electronic methods to increase productivity while maintaining optimal time management. Mobile data collection is an automated solution to help warehouses collect supply chain data at every stage of the distribution process using mobile devices that transact against your inventory management system in real time. With the rise of warehouse management systems (WMS), mobile data collection is becoming more essential than ever.
Mobile data collection can:
- Improve accuracy and productivity
- Lower the costs of labor
- Reduce costs of surplus inventory
By improving these processes in your warehouse operations, you may notice an increase in customer satisfaction. If your organization makes use of advanced technologies to store data, you may notice a significant decrease in human error. This can save your organization on costs associated with incorrect orders, shipping errors or overstocking.
If you are wondering whether mobile data collection is the right solution for your enterprise, there are multiple recognizable signs to look for.
But before you implement mobile data collection in your workplace, it’s important that you investigate what areas you need to improve in your organization and find a provider that can cater to your business’ working style.
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How to Know When Your Warehouse Needs Mobile Data Collection
There will be multiple signs it’s time to bring mobile data collection and automation into your supply processes. If any of the following statements is true of your organization, it may be time to invest in mobile data collection:
Accuracy Is One of Your Company’s Pain Points
Distributors that do not have orderly execution practices might fall behind their competitors. Fixing mix-ups in product types and shipping can be costly and time-consuming. Mobile data collection services can lessen the impact of human error in warehouse settings. These processes can cause a dramatic increase in shipping and order precision.
Evaluating and then sticking to mobile data collection best practices will help your business maintain a high level of data and inventory accuracy.
You Want to Make Better Use of Your Other Technologies
Warehouses that have invested in enterprise resource planning and database management systems should implement mobile data collection to create optimal productivity of each of these functions. Mobile data collection can supply ERP and DBMS with updated data, seamlessly and automatically.
Accommodate 21st-century demands and customer expectations.
Your Organization Is Growing
When your business grows, you should make alterations to keep up with higher demand. Utilizing mobile data collection can improve your organization’s productivity, which will accommodate your growing clientele base. In order to scale existing processes efficiently to meet new volumes of work, you will want to utilize technologies that promote real-time visibility and transparency into material movements.
Time Management Is Troubling
If your organization is spending extensive amounts of time on certain tasks, there’s a good chance mobile data collection systems could provide some assistance. RTInsights reported an instance in which Mueller Company, a manufacturer of water distribution products, used mobile data collection to cut time spent on scrap from 70-hours a week to five hours. Employees and warehouse personnel were able to spend this extra 65-hours performing other important tasks to maintain distribution efforts.
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What to Look for in a Mobile Data Collection Provider
When you are on the market for a mobile data collection solution provider, you should try to find one that meets the following requirements set by RFgen:
Experience in Similar Industries
This partner should be well-versed in settings similar to your warehouse and manufacturing operation. Don’t hesitate to ask them for references from consumers who operate businesses similar to yours. Getting insider information from people who have used this provider can help you decide whether or not they are the right fit.
Seamless Integration
You want to find a solution that can adapt to your current ERP systems. Changing your current solutions can be time-consuming and disruptive, so try to search for providers that can adapt to the technology you already have in place.
Flexible Support
An effective provider should be able to offer you training, consulting and necessary support to keep your operations running smoothly. If you have global distribution centers, you might want to find a partner that can reach warehouse employees in different countries.
As your organization confronts its demand and pain points in the 21st-century economy, you may need to seek technological solutions to help you collect and store data efficiently. Mobile data collection allows for immediate access to information that cuts down on human error and paper records, significantly reducing wasted effort, time and money. Finding the right mobile data collection provider for your organization can lead to a worthwhile ROI and can allow you to keep a steady pace with other modern warehouses.
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