Challenges
Transparency of logistic processes in production is an increasingly complex task. Processing steps from the receipt of goods to managing inter-manufacturing stock and finished products are critical. Any failure on these levels can result in high costs. The lack of material, or even a critical high WIP level, can cause a significant short or long-term loss. To make responsible decisions, logistics professionals need reliable information such as stock levels and the current state of production.The utilization and optimal distribution of logistic transport vehicles (forklifts, trolleys) is also a critical task. Supporting them with route advisory systems, enhancing and automating them with an intelligent calling system can serve as additional optimization solution.
Basic logistical decisions (orders, production programming, resource/shift organization) depend on the product line and warehouse inventories. Keeping this information up to date is a cost and resource demanding task. Any additional inventory check and modification (beyond essential steps) can be avoided by using a well-designed and reliable tracking system.
Solutions
Typically, there are plenty of raw materials in the production, so it is convenient to identify and track them in larger units (fewer TAGs). Identifying raw materials at palette level helps to find them faster, the time spent of searching stocks and materials can be spared.
In the long run, analyzing of position data for raw materials can help to reduce and optimize WIP and Kanban levels, and in combination with a well-designed inventory system, discrepancies and inventory checking frequencies can be reduced.