Food Chain - Issue 203 - December 2024 | Page 17

___________________________________________________________________________________________ Food Supply Chain
warehouses . Given the specific requirements of handling perishable goods and meeting stringent regulatory standards , data analytics provides actionable insights that drive efficiency , reduce waste , and ensure compliance .
Through advanced analytics , firms gain insight into their operations that enable continuous improvement : Performance metrics : By tracking KPIs like order accuracy , fulfillment speed , and inventory turnover , companies can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies within the warehouse . Analytics can enhance workforce management by analyzing labor productivity , workload distribution , and peak activity periods . Customer behavior insights : Analyzing sales and order patterns helps warehouses predict which products may need more space or priority picking during certain seasons , allowing for more efficient resource use . Using historical customer data , warehouses can prioritize stock for high-value customers , ensuring that the most important products are always available , improving customer loyalty . Supplier and vendor management : Analytics also help assess supplier performance , enabling warehouses to make data-driven decisions about choosing and negotiating with vendors .
Food , beverage , and CPG firms use data analytics to refine their supply chain operations , allowing them to deliver fresher products to customers .
Boost efficiency and accuracy with automation
Warehouse automation , including robotics , can boost efficiency and accuracy in warehousing operations . Automated systems , from robotic arms for picking to automated guided vehicles ( AGVs ) for transportation , help streamline labor-intensive processes , boost accuracy , and reduce operational costs . Automation and robotics revolutionize food , beverage , and CPG fulfillment with : Automated picking systems : Automated robotic arms , vision-guided systems , and collaborative robots ( cobots ) speed up the picking process , which is crucial in food and CPG environments where orders often contain numerous items that can be perishable . Automated storage and retrieval systems ( AS / RS ): AS / RS allow goods to be stored densely yet accessibly , allowing for quick retrieval and restocking of products . AGVs and autonomous mobile robots ( AMRs ): These systems move goods around the warehouse , reducing the need for manual transportation , lowering labor costs , and minimizing human error .
Automation in warehouses offers a particular advantage in temperature-controlled environments , such as refrigerated or frozen warehouses used by food and beverage companies , where human labor is more challenging due to temperature extremes . By automating these processes , companies can maintain product quality and safety , ultimately delivering better customer experience .
The adoption of advanced warehouse technologies is essential for food , beverage , and CPG firms striving to keep pace with today ’ s market demands . WMS , automation , AI , and data analytics all play a crucial role in enhancing fulfillment processes , ultimately leading to quicker , more accurate deliveries , reduced waste , and improved customer satisfaction .
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Jeff Potts www . autoscheduler . ai
Jeff Potts is Chief Customer Officer at AutoScheduler . AI . He has over thirty years of experience within the supply chain industry and has proven success in business development and sales leadership . AutoScheduler . Al is a Gartnerlauded predictive warehouse optimization platform that integrates with customers ’ existing WMS .
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