Archive: May 2012

The Bionic Warehouse

The Bionic Warehouse

When using warehouse technology to improve labor productivity, combining the right tools with the right people produces super-human results.

Read More
Economic Development: Pulling the Right Strings

Economic Development: Pulling the Right Strings

It’s one thing for politicians to say they support transportation and logistics investment, but it’s another thing for them to take action. Here are five states and government leaders going above and beyond to influence economic growth.

Read More
Robert Arndt

Making a Business Case for Lean MHE

Q: What are the biggest cost drivers in a distribution center? A: Distribution centers are driven by four primary costs. Labor is usually the largest cost, which is why companies focus on it so much. Second is the building itself. Third are the IT systems necessary to support the operation. Finally, there’s materials handling equipment […]

Read More
Laura Kelleher

Warehouse Automation Management Goes Mobile

Q: Consumer devices, such as smartphones, are becoming more common in warehousing applications. How is the personal wireless space affecting the industrial/commercial wireless space? A: The form, function, and ease of use industry decision-makers experience when using their personal mobile devices is affecting their expectations of enterprise devices. It is driving demand for smaller and […]

Read More
Chris Wright

Tracking Rugged Tablets

Q: It seems that tablet computers are growing in popularity. Is this true in our field, where conditions can be difficult? A: Although the tablet has been available for years, it is receiving renewed attention for its combination of an easy-to-read display and keypad-free data entry and retrieval. Tablets offer several advantages over notebook computers […]

Read More
The Power of Pallets

The Power of Pallets

There’s more to these warehouse workhorses than meets the eye. Companies that use pallet systems strategically can reduce transport costs and promote supply chain efficiency.

Read More
Innovative Warehouse Strategies: Four Walls, Three Takes

Innovative Warehouse Strategies: Four Walls, Three Takes

In most warehouses, change is a constant—especially when you consider seasonal demand forecasts, supply exceptions, and inventory flows. Distribution centers (DCs) are critical sense-and-respond nodes within the supply chain. Warehouse management is about mediating variability so supply flows to demand as economically and efficiently as possible. In today’s consumer economy, however, the warehousing function faces […]

Read More