Peak trading season is almost upon us and it’s time to ensure that vital equipment is in top working order. Ideally, you should conduct preventative maintenance regularly throughout the year. Equipment failures have a greater chance of happening when volumes are high and order fulfilment suffers.
What can you do now?
Preventative maintenance in key areas:
•materials handling equipment: conveyors, forklifts, drones, and robotics.
•loading and storage kits: racking systems, pallets and wrapping machines.
•workstation equipment in receiving and dispatching including electronic media and wearables.
•lighting and heating equipment.
Efficient multi-channel order fulfilment covers a range of systems from receiving inventory through to delivering items to customers. Warehouse logistics operations must be agile to cope with the unexpected. Diverting technicians and skilled labour to work on machinery that is inoperable negatively impacts processes.
Maintenance Strategies. Have a back-up plan
Automate routine tasks within the warehouse to ease the need for sourcing additional equipment and labour during the peak season. Build a cushion for the type and number of items of equipment you might need based on historical data and expected seasonal growth. Procure additional or backup equipment in advance, e.g., consider purchasing or renting reconditioned machines such as forklifts.
Harness available technology
Manual methods of managing maintenance using checklists, clipboards, and spreadsheets are no longer efficient: technology is the new enabler. Digital maintenance management tools improve decision-making. Using old methods to track equipment maintenance adds complexity for your employees and delays response for urgent fixes that result in equipment failure. Digital maintenance solutions offer an easy way to log orders, schedule maintenance and plan downtime. Computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) combine several maintenance processes in one system, improving productivity and performance.
There are tools that can be integrated into your existing systems, many WMS systems include maintenance modules. WMS focus on integrating data to get the best results from physical assets and automation tools. The costs of a WMS are continuing to decrease due to increased competition.
How do maintenance technology tools work?
Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology uses electronic media such as tablets, RFID barcoding and mobile handsets to scan, and transmit data. Open communication features allow teams to collaborate more efficiently.
Maintenance management cloud-based solutions:
•provide a dashboard with full visibility into teams’ schedules and assignments.
•allow scheduled maintenance according to date, time, metre or given event.
•generate work orders based on real-time equipment conditions with notifications and alarms.
•schedule routine inspections
•store and submit photos, images, files, and notes.
•provide a library for manuals and standard procedures.
•store the history of maintenance events with an audit trail.
•coordinate work at sites globally and across time zones.
The benefits of maintenance technology tools
Maintenance technology solutions drive down operational costs, reduce risk, and streamline scheduling. Information on the status of maintenance projects is available online and in real-time. Updates on work orders are instantly available across multiple locations. Collaboration is seamless and delays are highlighted for corrective action. Reactive maintenance is expensive and impacts supply chain performance. Decisions on actions to be taken related to any piece of equipment are data-driven. Advanced analytics use real-time data and maintenance history to optimise performance.
With effort and forward planning, you can keep facilities running smoothly through the demanding peak season.
A warehouse plays a crucial role in the storage and distribution of goods. Managing a warehouse effectively in the peak season can be a complex and challenging task. Our team of experienced Warehouse Consultants provides expert support and guidance to help businesses ensure smooth and optimised warehouse operations in seasonal peaks.
Talk to us, by getting in touch at +44(0)1926 430 883 or info@sccgltd.com.
www.sccgltd.com/warehouse-design-and-layouts
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