MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING - PDF document

MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING 24 MAY 2011 / MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING mmh.com big results, but are they right By Bob Trebilcock, information management MMH1105_InfoMgmtSlotting.indd 24 5/11/11 1:10 PM MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING much like a New Year’s res-olution. It’s a great idea on paper, but few warehouse in a disciplined way. report on what’s coming into the “Slotting is a thankless job,” adds Jeff Wetherell, vice presi-SI Systems. “People talk about it, ting, however, can be significant, units (SKUs). “We have one cus-cally slotted,” says Wetherell. “You may also see a reduction in harder to quantify.” frequent turnover to fine tune areas on a frequent basis. Resolve to reslot your warehouse MMH1105_InfoMgmtSlotting.indd 25 5/11/11 1:10 PM MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING Some discount retailers, ings in the store,” says Peter Schnorbach, senior director How slotting works ting, is based on the old premise everytime, increase picking accuracy, elimiSlotting software can be licensed as tem (WMS) provider or as a standalone tem, their inventory, their order inforfacility,” says Wetherell. “Then, the hat’s the underlying information management MMH1105_InfoMgmtSlotting.indd 26 5/11/11 1:10 PM MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING ment already in a facility, the system may be able to recommend the racking warehouse for optimum efficiency. For in the facility. forecast of demand. Or, a slotting plan says Tom Kozenski, vice president of history of what they sold last year.” coming quarter. In any of those models, the slotting be justified economically. “A good package won’t recommend a move that costs $4 but only saves $3 in picking labor,” facility, or it may focus on an area. ance area or the electronics area, rather than the whole warehouse,” says Kozenski. “That way, I can take ing the facility.” “Their warehouses don’t grow in labor standards used for that facility. interleaving the reslotting tasks with information management MMH1105_InfoMgmtSlotting.indd 28 5/11/11 1:10 PM