Yard Management and The Flow-Through Warehouse
Posted by Greg Braun on Mon, Jan 25, 2010 @ 01:51 PM
Here it is, the first entry in the C3 Yard Blog. Our goal in setting up this blog is to create a forum that focuses on the supply chain challenges that occur outside of the four walls of the distribution center. We have a lot of interesting perspectives in this area and look forward to the comments and feedback from the supply chain community.
C3 is months away from its 10th anniversary and during the last ten years we have observed many different business drivers that have led companies to require better yard management systems.
The most obvious challenge is gain a better control on costs. This will be and should be one of the most important elements in justifying the purchase of a yard management solution.
Close behind cost is improving inventory visibility. Extending the warehouse beyond the four walls has an excellent payback and is crucial for avoiding inventory "black holes".
In addition to these important justifications to make an investment in yard management software, a new form of operation has emerged that is driving the need for yard management and it is referred to as the flow-through warehouse.
As the name suggests the flow-through facility emphasizes the constant flow of goods from the point it leaves the supplier right up to the time the goods arrive on the shelf. Yard management is crucial in enabling this type of operation. Trailers that arrive on site need to be part of a deliberate work flow that ensures that product is not just on site but at the right door at the right time.
I've included a link that features a brief presentation that Steve Banker of the ARC Advisory Group has done for The Supply Chain Brain that provides a great overview of the different types of flow through warehouses, the benefits of these operations and the pre-requisites required to start-up a flow through operation.
You can find the video presentation here. You will need to sign up to Supply Chain Brain to view the video but it is worth it. If you are not already on their mailing list you should consider joining it - they have a lot of good material on-line.
If you would like to get a more hands on demonstration of how a specific yard management system can facilitate a flow-through operation, please contact us for a web demonstration of our Yard Smart product. 564TRVKNGRDQ