Warehousing refers to storing raw materials, intermediary items, or finished goods in a safe, secure place. The storage could be for a short time or a long time, depending on the movement of the goods. Warehousing is a specialized field that involves planning the strategic location, design, size, and scalability for any organization’s future business expansion. Worldwide, freight forwarding and logistics are possible because of good warehousing systems to receive and store the goods efficiently.
With warehousing services, it is possible to hold goods for long times and keep them in temperature-controlled situations if the product demands. With the boom in the eCommerce industry, the number of warehouses worldwide is expected to reach just under 180,000 by 2025.
There are broadly five types of warehouses. These are as follows:
There are various sub-types available within the broadly classified types of warehouses. More warehouses can be equipped to provide specialised services like cold storage and reefer transportation for perishable commodities, medicines, etc.
The prime function of a warehouse is to store the materials. There has been much evolution in the functioning of warehouses over the last few decades. From static storage, they have evolved to be more dynamic and versatile with varying activities. The warehouses help in storage, packing, shipping, and order fulfillment. Distribution centers are advanced versions of warehouses and function to receive goods, store them properly, and help in repacking and order fulfillment.
In a warehouse, it is a supply-driven storage for inventory holding. Ownership of goods can be of the supplier or producer. The prime function is storage. There could be extra storage or dead stock in the warehouse. The products stored could be raw materials or finished goods.
However, in an advanced dynamic warehouse (distribution centre), the prime functions are receipt, storage of finished goods, and order fulfillment. It is a demand-driven movement of goods. The inventory undergoes sorting, packing, repacking, labelling, etc. They help in just-in-time deliveries to fulfill customer orders.
There are a few details that are of importance in warehousing and the design of warehouses. It has to help handle inventory, its movement, and safe storage.
In the supply chain, demand forecast plays a pivotal role in handling the processes till the delivery of goods to the consumer. If demand forecasts and related warehousing are under control, the overall supply chain is in control. Investment in cutting-edge warehousing services can help the business to function optimally.
Some of the advantages of effective warehousing are:
Warehousing refers to safely storing goods such as raw materials and finished goods. The storage is for different periods depending on the requirement for further processing. It is an integral part of the supply chain and helps ensure inventory is available. Inventory management brings confidence to the business. In the scenario of insufficient inventory, it can lead to anxiety and disruptions in the production cycle. Distribution centers are advanced versions of warehouses and can handle goods receipt, storage, and order fulfillment. When businesses use cutting-edge warehousing solutions that can be of their own or outsourced, they can reap benefits in the long run. Many companies today use outsourced warehousing services such as Shiprocket Fulfillment to save on investment costs, thereby increasing profit margins. Various factors are considered while designing a warehouse, such as capacity, inventory management techniques, automation methods, storage conditions, etc.
Shiprocket Fulfillment is a warehousing service provider that offers end-to-end warehousing solutions to e-commerce businesses.
Shiprocket Fulfillment offers various warehousing services, including inventory management, order processing, pick and pack, shipping and delivery, and returns management. They also provide value-added services like quality checks, labelling, and packaging customization.
Shiprocket Fulfillment has a network of warehouses strategically located across India to help businesses reach their customers faster and at lower costs.
With Shiprocket Fulfillment, e-commerce businesses can streamline their supply chain operations, reduce fulfillment costs, and provide a better customer experience. Their technology-driven platform enables businesses to manage their inventory and track their shipments in real-time, which can help them make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations.
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