What is Digital Warehousing and How to Do It

Gone are the days when warehouses relied solely on manpower and manual labor to operate and meet demands. Although manpower is still at the core of warehousing and business operations, intuitive solutions can enhance processes and give them a much-needed boost. Warehouses are now starting to explore and integrate modern solutions. And now we have the emergence of digital warehousing.

Digital warehousing simply refers to the process of implementing digital technologies, automation, and more, to elevate warehousing and supply chain operations so as to meet the ever-growing demands of modern commerce, digital channels, and customer expectations.

Imagine warehouse operations where manual labor is powered and enhanced by digital tools and solutions. This is digital warehousing. Every task takes a shorter amount of time, every process is streamlined, and every operation is digitized. This is where you can expect high-speed operations, automated actions, real-time data processing, and more. All of these help create a much more efficient environment, not just for businesses and consumers but for the actual warehouse workers themselves.

Digital solutions like electronic shelf labels, digital signage, IoT devices, robotic solutions, asset trackers, warehouse software solutions, and more help create a digital warehouse. These things can help warehouse owners and business owners transform their operations and keep up with the modern world.

Digital warehousing opens up a lot of possibilities for warehouse owners and business owners. A more centralized and structured warehouse operation can lead to numerous benefits. This includes:

Improved operational efficiency

A lot of processes can be automated in a digital warehouse. Order picking and management, shelf management and inventory, and logging orders and details are just a few examples where automation and digital solutions enhanced and sped up these laborious tasks and processes. With the right tools, the whole operation can improve its efficiency.

Better accuracy

Digital warehousing also leads to better accuracy. This is because most of the data in the warehouse is now digital. Order details, customer information, stock and inventory details, and more can be logged into software or a management system. This allows for a smoother and much more accurate process in the warehouse, with fewer mistakes, replacements, and setbacks.

This also reflects on the customers’ end, as they will expect fast and accurate order and delivery tracking updates and, of course, the right package on their doorstep. Accuracy is essential if warehouses need to keep up with the expectations of the modern world.

Better scalability

Digital solutions also make for better scalability in warehouses. Digital solutions that empower manual labor are the answer to accommodating increasing data. Warehouses need to be able to continue functioning and working while accepting and processing more data, products, orders, and sales. Digital warehousing makes that possible and more.

Better return on investment

All the digital solutions and digitized data also allow for a better return on investment. This is because warehouses now have the ability to determine a better time frame and leverage fast-moving and efficient operations. Warehouses and businesses will be able to set and achieve clear goals and attain a higher ROI.

Digital literacy training and efficiency

Implementing digital solutions in warehouses also means new and improved training for the new staff. Now, staff are also being trained to operate and utilize digital solutions. The more efficient the staff is with digital tools, the better they will be at doing their jobs and improving daily tasks.

Better sustainability

A digital warehouse is also a lot more sustainable than those that shy away from digital tools. This is because the modern solutions being implemented into warehouse and fulfillment operations are usually eco-friendly, and therefore create a much more sustainable environment.

A warehouse can go paperless with the help of digital signage, electronic shelf labels, and tablets. A warehouse can make use of IoT devices (Internet of Things) and wearables as well. A warehouse can also implement LED or smart lighting, which is long-lasting and also better for the environment. Overall, these solutions are usually practical and green choices for the warehouse.

Data accessibility and tracking

Accessing and tracking data across departments and processes is also easier and smoother in digital warehouses. This is due to the fact that digitized data can be pulled from multiple sources, such as sales channels, databases, applications, and software systems. They can be updated and tracked at each step as well. And workers have the confidence that every time they pull data, it is accurate and consistent.

Business intelligence and analytics

Digital warehousing also makes way for better business intelligence and analytics. Data is much easier to obtain and analyze with digital solutions at hand. This data can then help the warehouse solve any problem or complication that might arise, and adjust to the demands of the customers or the capacity of the workers. This will also allow the business to be more informed and make better decisions.

Improved data security and governance

A centralized data warehouse allows for better control over data access and security measures. With digital tools and security measures in place, businesses will be able to implement data governance policies, comply with regulations, and maintain data privacy standards.

This will also help every staff member in the warehouse be more aware of how they handle and interact with various kinds of data. They will be able to contribute to the good security and privacy practices of the business.

So, how do you digitize a warehouse? How do you start modernizing operations in the hopes of scaling your business and meeting the increasing demands of your industry? You need to start picking the right solutions that will be most suitable for the nature of your business.

There are a lot of digital solutions and automation that help create a digital warehouse. However, you don't have to implement all of them at the same time. You need to be wise and ensure that every solution is helping you solve a problem or improve your operations. This is how you create a digitized and efficient environment.

An example of a solution that can digitize a warehouse is robotics. Warehouse robotics, such as bagging machines, robotic arms, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), can all help speed up various operations. Bagging and packaging can be enhanced, as well as transporting materials, supplies, and other inventory.

IoT devices, or the Internet of Things, also help in digitizing warehouse operations. IoT allows people to reduce manual labor. Instead of human interaction, Internet or Bluetooth connectivity is used to process and deliver data and complete tasks at hand.

You can also start with a solution like the Newton Sub-Giga to help automate the core of your warehouse operations. This is SOLUM ESL’s industrial-developed electronic shelf labels and system made for factories, distribution centers, and warehouses. From electronic shelf labels that can enhance order picking and inventory control, to digital signage that will display specific instructions, to tracking equipment and materials across the warehouse, the Newton Sub-Giga is a good starting point to digitize a warehouse.

SOLUM’s Newton Sub-Giga was specifically designed for the industrial environment to help digitize and scale operations. This solution makes use of Sub-Giga frequency for long-range data transmission, interference-free communication, and power efficiency even with obstructions or barriers within the surroundings.

Newton Sub-Giga consists of electronic shelf labels for large-scale commercial use, as well as seamless production and logistics. It features a 1-second reaction time for LED blinking, which will help optimize pick-by-light assembly. It also comes with a special 4.3” LED Picking Label, specifically made to automate the order-picking process or stock replenishment.

Apart from these, Newton Sub-Giga can also be attached to assets, materials, and other equipment to track their location and usage status in real time. It can also be displayed as signage around the warehouse for specific instructions and equipment maintenance. 4.2”, 7.5”, and 11.6” label variants can be used to display such crucial information for the safety and productivity of the workers.

Here are more reasons why Newton Sub-Giga could be your first step to digital warehousing:

• Low Interference
• High-Speed Data Transmission Connection
• 1-second reaction speed for LED Blinking
• Fully graphic B&W e-paper module for faster display update time
• Mobile and easily configurable installation vs. wired order-picking systems
• Sub-Giga RF Design
• Fast update speed
• Black and white graphical e-paper display
• 7-color LED
• 7-page capacity for the labels
• Multifunctional buttons
• Location-Based Service (LBS) Enabled
• Built-in protection cover for the labels and signage

Overall, Newton Sub-Giga thrives in industrial settings. With its fast data transmission, low interference connection, versatility, and durability, digital warehousing can be achieved. Newton Sub-Giga can transform these warehouse and supply chain operations in ways that static signage and traditional methods cannot.

Digital warehousing emerged as a way to cope with the constantly changing demands of the modern world. Now, it’s a necessity for businesses that want to level up and empower their workers.

Explore digital warehousing solutions like the Newton Sub-Giga now, and see how your operations can change for the better. Talk to SOLUM for more information.