Logistics warehouse : understanding the challenges

Logistics is a sector of activity at the heart of economic challenges. This is a function that cuts across the other business sectors of the Supply Chain (packaging, transport, etc.). We then speak of warehouse logistics which, if perfectly managed and optimized, allows an optimal quality of service. It is therefore a fundamental and decisive element for the competitiveness of companies.

Definition of a logistics warehouse

A warehouse is not just a simple building in which goods are stored. It is a space in which different types of products are stored, while respecting certain rules and fulfilling other functions, namely:

• Receipt of goods;
• Control of goods;
• The storage of different products in different units: in the UVC (Packaged Sales Unit), in boxes, in bags, on pallets, etc.;
• Post-manufacturing, i.e. goods subject to specific operations such as labelling, packaging, etc.;
• Order preparation
• Loading and unloading of goods.

In order to fully fulfill its functions, the logistics warehouse must have various equipment, storage areas and facilities for handling:

• Shelves for storage;
• Racks or pallet racks: used for storing heavy and bulky goods on pallets;
• Storage cabinets (if necessary) for the storage of “sensitive” goods requiring more security such as toxic products or high-value products;
• Spaces on the ground called mass area;
• A set of technical means relating to the movement of loads (forklifts, pallet trucks, etc.).

What are the types of logistics storage warehouses?

Today there are many types of warehouses, this plurality is not the result of chance. Indeed, it is the response to specific needs that must be in line with the company's economic activity, while respecting standards and restrictions, whether related to the types of flow, its location or its environment.

We will find among them:

Warehouses dedicated to the nature of a flow: in this category we can find warehouses for perishable goods or specifically allocated to picking, hazardous products or even pharmaceutical products

General purpose warehouses, with a solid surface, are ready for any eventuality and can accommodate any type of flow. Goods of different types can coexist in the same cell.

Specific warehouses, we find here, sheds for bulk, open-air warehouses, temperature-controlled warehouses or even cold rooms.

Intelligent warehouses, equipped with artificial intelligences that take care of flows, robotization is introduced. This type of warehouse is only possible for certain flows and is part of a more global 4.0 logistics strategy.

Semi-intelligent warehouses, where the robotization of certain positions, mechanical tools, and physical labor coexist.

The different types of flows in the organization of a logistics warehouse

More and more logistics warehouses have two distinct areas to accommodate two types of flows:

Stored flow: here, the goods are stored for more than 24 hours and require the use of racks (pallet rack) and/or shelves depending on the type of product. In this case, it is the main function of a warehouse.

Tight flow or also called “crossdocking”: the particularity of this type of flow is the absence of storage. In this case, the goods do not stay more than 24 hours on site and only transit (the time necessary to be unbundled/grouped before being reloaded for shipment). Ground surfaces or also called mass area are suitable for cross-docking flow management.

The advantages of a logistics warehouse

A logistics warehouse is an essential link in the logistics chain and can have a negative impact on the entire chain if mismanaged. You will find below the elements that make it a performance tool:

Fully automated shipping

It is essential to have a WMS (Warehouse Management System) to manage your logistics warehouse. A WMS makes it possible to organize the flow of goods in the warehouse in real time to ensure inventory management and maximize productivity.

This tool thus makes it possible to limit human interventions with little added value as much as possible.

Optimal traceability of the goods

Traceability, also called "tracking", makes it possible to ensure quantitative monitoring of goods and their locations throughout the supply chain until final delivery to the customer.

In a warehouse, traceability will therefore allow the monitoring of goods receipts, stock and associated operations up to loading, all in real time.

The products (packages, pallets) have labels with barcodes. The latter are scanned at each stage, thus making it possible to precisely measure their duration (storage period of a pallet, release date of goods, etc.).

Optimization of the storage surface.

An optimized storage space allows the performance of the company, it will ensure a competitive advantage, a reduction of the costs and a better follow-up of the goods. A well-organized warehouse will facilitate storage, inventory management, but also the carrying out of inventories. It is in a tidy work environment that handlers will be able to move along the aisles whether on foot or equipped with forklifts in complete safety.

Improved working environment

In a logistics warehouse, the environment can represent a real danger, so it is necessary to ensure the management of the risks related to the different activities. We will therefore recommend:

• The limitation of unnecessary trips, trying to take the shortest route to get from the product to the truck or from the truck to the product. We are going to put in place an optimization of movements.
• Limiting the movement of loads, favoring the use of forklifts, conveyors, pallet trucks will reduce the risk of injury, it is also to prevent the risk upstream.
• The delimitation of pedestrian safety zones, these zones will allow visitors, order pickers to put themselves in secure zones facing the approach of trolley movements. A direction of circulation for the trolleys can also be envisaged.