Technology has always played a crucial role in the warehousing industry, but now more than ever, staying updated is essential. Without cutting-edge technology, customers risk missing crucial updates and information, such as tracking and overall user experience. This article explores trends in warehouse technology over the past decade, the future of warehouse technology, and why partnering with a company that uses up-to-date technology is vital for your business.
Warehouse Technology Over the Past Decade
Real-Time Inventory Access
What was once a premium feature has become the industry standard: real-time inventory access. With just a few clicks, you can now pinpoint the exact location of your product and access key information about it.
Automatic Updates and Emails
Like real-time inventory access, automatic updates and email notifications have also become standard. Whenever there is an update regarding your product—whether it’s leaving a facility or being delivered—you should receive an automatic email notification, keeping you informed every step of the way.
User Experience
User experience can take many forms, but the critical point is simplicity. The system should be user-friendly, even for business owners who may not be familiar with warehousing processes. While clients may not need to be hands-on constantly, there’s been a noticeable shift toward clients wanting clearer insights into their operations.
The Future of Warehouse Technology
Continuation of Past Trends
Automation and user experience improvements are expected to continue driving innovation. As more processes become accessible through mobile devices, warehouse technology will advance further to meet these growing demands.
Client Customization
Different clients prioritize different metrics. If a client can’t easily access specific data in a Warehouse Management System (WMS), it can cause significant frustration. In the future, we anticipate systems evolving to allow clients to customize their interfaces without needing external assistance.
Recall Tracking
Recall tracking—monitoring the status of a recalled item—could be a lifesaving feature in certain scenarios. While this functionality is already being implemented, it’s expected to become a standard feature across the industry in the near future.
Why Working With a Partner is Important
Technology Is Only as Good as the People Using It
The most important aspect of warehouse technology is the people behind it. Even the best technology is useless without skilled operators. Partnering with a warehousing company like ours ensures that experienced professionals are leveraging advanced technology to meet your business needs.
Customization
With a partner, warehouse technology can be tailored to your specific needs. For instance, we collaborate with one of the largest inventory management software providers and customize their platform extensively for our clients. Many have praised this customization, noting that it simplifies their processes significantly.
Updated Software
We are committed to updating our software every 3-5 years. For business owners running their own warehouses, software updates can be time-consuming and expensive. Falling behind on software updates could leave your business at a competitive disadvantage. By partnering with a warehousing expert, you can stay on the cutting edge without the hassle.
Work With Stone Management Today
If you’re looking for a warehousing partner with up-to-date, customizable technology in the northeastern United States, Stone Management is ready to help. Based in Albany, NY, we can distribute to nearly the entire northeast in one day or less. Contact us today!