The Material Handling Blog

5 Reasons Designing a Distribution Center is like Shopping for a New Home

Bastian Media

February 06, 2014

Designing your distribution center is just like shopping for your perfect home. When you shop for a house or are looking to build a new one, you take into account many things including planning, work, space, flow, and amenities (automation)...

How Supply Chain Software Keeps iHerb's New DC Running Smoothly

Ryan Bliss

January 28, 2014

With a distribution center full of automation plus 35,000 SKUs to manage, iHerb’s Hebron facility relies on Exacta 6.0, a warehouse control system (WCS) and suite of supply chain software to ensure the entire system runs seamlessly and orders get to customers in the most efficient manner possible.

All I Want for Christmas is an Empty Box?

Gregg Durham

December 19, 2013

I was recently talking with a client who wants to improve productivity by increasing the efficiency of his facility’s picking operation. As we talked, I learned he was thinking about going to a pick to pack methodology, so I asked him how he was going to get the boxes to his operators...

4 Advanced Picking Technologies Improving E-Fulfillment

Marvin Logan

December 04, 2013

Following a hugely successful Cyber Monday, it’s easy to see why an efficient and accurate order fulfillment process is critical to today’s retailers. Customers are expecting orders to arrive faster, and one way of doing that is injecting a little automation into an often manual operation.

5 Critical Items to Share with an Integrator When Requesting a Proposal

Rodger Katter

November 07, 2013

When a client comes to us for assistance in solving facility issues, they walk the fine line between sharing too many views or not providing enough information. Both situations can be detrimental to the proposal process, so for best results here are the 5 key pieces of information to provide an integrator...

Measure Twice, Cut Once: Getting the Most Out of Your System Data

Marvin Logan

October 23, 2013

In junior high I’d taken a "Shop" class. Here I honed my love for building, creating and also learned a valuable life lesson: measure twice and cut once. I still find this adage helpful to this day, especially when helping new clients analyze their operations and prep for the future.

How to Build Better Supply Chain Software: Use Automated Unit Testing

Justin Kaffenberger

October 16, 2013

There are many practices that go into creating great software, but one of the most efficient and effective ways to do that is through automated unit testing. It might sound difficult, but once I explain, you will understand how this common, but often overlooked, programming feature is worth the extra time.

Automated Case Picking Systems: Finding the Right Fit for Your Company

Derek Cribley

September 11, 2013

As an increasing number of companies move toward the use of automated case picking systems, it is important that they first determine the best one for their business.

The Importance of 3D Models in Automation

Jason Nowak

August 29, 2013

Have you ever spoken to a client about a proposal that you’ve spent days, weeks, or even months on, and they don’t understand the basics of how the system is supposed to operate? In these instances, 3D models can be one of the best presentation tools.

Project Planning: How Much Does Conveyor Cost?

Bill Bastian II

August 08, 2013

If your are looking to increase efficiency in your warehouse or distribution center, you’ve probably considered installing conveyor or updating your current conveyor system. If so, the pricing you receive will vary based on your needs and the scope of the project; however, here are some general conveyor pricing guidelines to help you determine a project budget.

How to Increase Productivity Within Your Warehouse Fulfillment Center

Bill Bastian II

July 22, 2013

Automation is an effective way to increase productivity in the workplace, but it still requires a careful approach to meet your needs and fit your budget. Depending on the size and demands on your warehouse and employees, different levels of automation may provide the most reliable returns and better productivity...

The Importance of Qualified Maintenance Personnel and a Spare Parts Inventory

June 26, 2013

A facility’s conveyor system is often the lifeblood of a business but often it is not treated as such. Unplanned downtime disrupts production and directly affects the bottom line, but downtime can often be avoided or greatly minimized with qualified and effectively trained maintenance personnel as well as an adequate on-site spare parts inventory.

Retrofits and Cutovers: What to Know Before Modernizing Your Automation System

Warehouse Robots: Are Collaborative Robotic Palletizers the Best Fit for Your Application?

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