Order fulfillment is a basic fundamental process in a warehouse that creates the seamless shopping experience. However, it’s a hidden process that the consumer does not see. It’s the behind-the-scenes, day-to-day operations on the warehouse floor that include picking and packing, software and controls and scanning and vision systems that deliver your product to your door.
It’s the warehouse controls systems (WCS) that talk to the various parts of the system. Like a symphony, all the ‘instruments’ play together to collectively gather product that is packaged and sealed and sent on the conveyor line to and out the door to the end user. WCS dominates in the order fulfillment process. It manages, allocates, and monitors real-time interface capabilities to make changes to the equipment and operational procedures, ensuring that the flow of goods runs more efficiently on the material handling system.
Emerging fulfillment technologies and trends are rampant across the distribution centers. With the increasing demands of the end user, manufacturers are left having to deliver results more rapidly as competition grows fierce. Implementing these warehouse management and control systems solutions is inevitable, improving the overall inventory accuracy to further enhance these fulfillment processes.
Utilizing various shopping methods available to consumers via omni-channel fulfillment, material handling and e-commerce are merging together to form a more finite focus on direct-to-consumer orders, leaving more exposed gaps at the traditional store footprint. And more and more these days, we as consumers are turning to those online resources to fill those gaps.
So, the next time you come home to see your Amazon shipment waiting at your front door, remember that it’s that elaborate (behind-the-scenes) fulfillment process driving your seamless shopping experience…and oh, how we all so inexplicably appreciate that process!
Author: Heather Connors, Director of Marketing, Conveyor Handling Company
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