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Planning is the most initial decision of warehousing, which should include deciding and developing a master plan of the layout, space requirement and material handling design, in addition to a particular site for the warehouse selected. These decisions help in establishing the features of the warehouse, and thereafter the degree of attainable handling efficiency.
While you decide on the design and layout of a new distribution centre, it will be important for you to first take into accounts which of these four situations closely resemble your operation:
Low storage requirements (Low Activity) – A low activity or low storage requirements indicate a simple, small warehouse operation that hardly requires automated storage system and picking mediums. In many cases, for example, floor storage, simple pallet racks, stacked pallets and/or conventional shelving are used within the warehousing facility in addition to manual handling.
High storage requirements (Low Activity) – These are also classified as low activity, and needs multi-level, high bay, high density storage and a random location strategy, while order picking could be manual or semi-manual.
Low storage requirements (High Activity) – This demands for a compressed forward picking area accompanied by simple overstock storage. Such high pick activity level calls for automating the order picking system and using automated material handling systems.
High storage requirements (High Activity) – This represents a large distribution centre, which calls for high pick activity and therefore, high storage requirements. This justifies using acute automated order picking systems, high density storage and heavily automated material handling systems.
Once you are acquainted about the storage and picking requirements considering the economic forecasts for a period 5 to 10 years, the planning process is over and functional.
