In warehouse management, enterprises frequently encounter issues like disorganized storage, excess inventory, and inefficient layouts. While these challenges are common, the properties and quantities of goods stored vary, necessitating tailored solutions based on each enterprise's warehouse configuration and picking methods.
Effective warehouse management requires the implementation of methods, strategies, and principles. This text discusses three key areas: shelf types, three primary storage strategies, and eight guiding principles for cargo allocation.
1. Common Shelf Types
- Through-type Shelves: These dense storage shelves enhance space utilization by 50% compared to standard pallet shelves and typically use a first-in, last-out picking method. They are best for high turnover items with low variety and poor circulation.
- Gravity Pallet Shelves: Fixed shelves with goods that flow within designated channels, facilitating a first-in, first-out picking method. This system can save 35%-65% of storage space compared to traditional pallet racks but has poor cargo circulation.
- Stereoscopic Warehouse: Also known as high-bay warehouses, these structures utilize multiple layers of shelves with corresponding material handling equipment. Advantages include high mechanization and intelligence, but the cost is elevated, requiring a minimum floor height of 25m.
- Very Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking (VNA): Characterized by aisles 1600-2000mm wide, this system can reduce aisle width by 20%-40%, offering excellent cargo circulation and availability. However, it demands high ground flatness and incurs high operating costs.
- Double Pallet Racking: This design arranges four rows of shelves between two aisles to boost storage density by 30% compared to heavy pallet racks. However, it limits goods circulation, as only 50% of items are accessible, with shelf heights generally capped at 8m.
2. Three Major Storage Strategies for Warehouse Management
- Random Storage: Goods are stored in any available space, allowing for flexibility. This approach suits small warehouses with limited product variety, relying on pickers' familiarity with the layout.
- Positioning Storage: Every type of product is assigned a fixed storage location, resulting in lower space utilization. This strategy is effective for large warehouses with diverse product lines but fewer items per type.
- Classification Storage: Goods are first classified based on specific characteristics, with designated areas for each type. Cargo space allocation within these areas remains random.
There are three commonly used classification standards for storage:
1. Turnover Rate: This standard classifies goods based on their picking rates over time. High-frequency items should be stored near the warehouse entrance.
2. Maximum Inventory: This classification is based on the maximum storage capacity for a product. Items that occupy the least inventory should also be placed closest to the entrance.
3. Cube-Per-Order Index (COI): This standard uses the ratio of total storage space needed for a product to its turnover rate. Items with a lower COI should be stored nearest to the entrance.
When allocating cargo space, items with the smallest COI are typically placed closest to the warehouse entrance.
Principles of Warehouse Storage Allocation:
1. Turnover Rate Principle: Sort cargo by turnover rate and use positioning or classification storage to allocate space.
2. Relevance Principle: Place highly correlated items together since they frequently appear in orders.
3. Identity Principle: Store identical items in the same location to avoid mixing them throughout the warehouse.
4. Complementarity Principle: When one item is low in stock, position a substitute nearby.
5. Compatibility Principle: Position items that may react together far apart to avoid interaction.
6. Size Principle: Batch items of varying sizes to optimize space and create a regular shape.
7. Weight Principle: Store heavier items on lower shelves and lighter ones above.
8. Characteristics Principle: Allocate special items based on their unique characteristics.
SUMMARY
The eight principles of storage strategy are essential for optimizing warehouse management. Enterprises can select appropriate strategies based on their specific needs to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness.
