CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
have been available since the earliest computer systems and were allowed simple
storage location functionality. Today WMS systems can be standalone or part of
an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and can include complex technology
such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and voice recognition. However
the basic principle of the warehouse system has remained the same, which is to
provide information to allow efficient control of the movement of materials
within the warehouse. The implementation of a WMS is often complex. Project
planning is critical to the success of any WMS implementation. The project
requires warehouse resources to collect data on the physical warehouse,
materials, inventory as well as defining the strategies required to operate the
warehouse. There is the added challenge of implementing the system whilst still
operating the warehouse (Kerridge, 2006). In the current business world,
warehouse management as perceived by the industry today is not just managing
within the boundaries of a warehouse; it is much wider and goes beyond the
physical boundaries. Inventory management, inventory planning, cost management,
IT applications & communication technology to be used are all related to
warehouse management (Bartezzaghi, 2003). Saleemi (2003) indicate that
container storage, loading and unloading are also covered by warehouse
management today which is also part of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and demand
good management. Even production management is to a great extent dependent on
warehouse management. Efficient warehouse management gives a cutting edge to a
retail chain distribution company.
Decades ago, warehousing company
managers often shopped for "best of breed" technology to manage their
facilities and to track inventory. Systems were implemented with expectations
that they would run effectively for fifteen years or more before requiring
upgrades. Today, the constant evolution of technology requires a different
approach to purchasing warehouse
management solutions. Instead of
buying a single system rated "very best," managers are happy to
purchase exactly what they need right now to evolve and expand their systems
(De Boer, 2002). Interoperability and expansion are the key buzzwords right
now, since facility managers must be ready to integrate their systems with clients
and with other vendors. Overall, the trends affecting warehousing services
currently stem from end user demands for speed, efficiency, and environmental
awareness (Kouvelis, 2006).
1.2 Problem Statement
Well managed warehouse system help an
organization keep proper track of inventory, maintain the levels of inventory
as per requirement, increase in accuracy, reduce labor costs and ensure proper
maintenance as well as storage of stock. This kind of management will provide
ease and convenience to the suppliers and distributors to keep the track of
inventory and maintenance as well (Harold, 2002). Thus, warehouse management is
very beneficial in storage and maintenance of stock or inventory. Indeed a
number of studies indicate that an efficient warehouse management system is
crucial to an organization’s operational performance Kerridge, 2006; Larson,
2004; Liao 2007). However, many organizations today have not taken the issue of
warehousing into account, storage of goods and distributions from the same warehouses
are done haphazardly that is without any order, theft cases have been on the
rise giving a compromise on the general ethics of workers, due to the
disorganization and inadequate incorporation of modern information technology
which come with good warehouse management systems, it has resulted to
inaccuracy order management techniques which has dealt a major blow to the
organization as a whole (Ackerman, 2008; Cooper, 2002).
Information technology has been
identified as one of the biggest influencers of the business world today
(Bartezzaghi, 2003). Though many believe that information technology mainly
benefits large operations that have considerable financial muscle, there is
evidence that even small warehouses can benefit from IT innovations. This can
be achieved through partial automation of their operations through emerging
internet based services (Govindarajan, 2007).
Organizations are trying their best to
cut on costs and increase profitability. Warehouse management is one of the
areas in which substantial cost savings can be made. Warehouse maintenance cost
reduction can only be achieved by making appropriate design decisions on the
strategic characteristics of warehouse facilities (Kerridge, 2006).
TOPIC: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email
Delivery: Email
Number of Pages: 70
Price: 3000 NGN
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