The supply chain for consumer products, which are sold to end customers, is extensive, large, and complex. Customers can buy consumer goods directly from retailers in traditional brick-and-mortar locations, through eCommerce websites, or an omnichannel approach. The consumer products supply chain faces certain particular issues due to the large range of inventories, various buying channels, and the demand for quality, speed, and reliability.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most prevalent software solution providers in the consumer goods supply chain, as well as some strategies for streamlining the warehouse automation process, increasing visibility, controlling inventory, and increasing income.
Let’s get started!
Top Five Warehouse Management Software Providers
You’ll also discover get to know how the software improves the efficiency of your retail supply chain for food, beverages, clothes, home care, consumer electronics, and related items.
OPEX: Perfect Pick to Solve Your Problems
OPEX Perfect Pick is a completely self-contained, standalone point solution, unlike more traditional goods-to-person options on the market today. Perfect Pick can access every storage place within its aisle – both horizontally and vertically – because of its flexible, high-density racking and a fleet of autonomous robotic delivery vehicles (i-BOTs).
Your products are delivered straight to a workstation/warehouse at one or both ends of the aisle by i-BOTs. This direct interaction avoids the need for elaborate conveyor systems or transfer equipment, which would otherwise take up valuable office space.
KNAPP: Warehouse Control Software
KNAPP covers all software levels with smart software solutions, from warehouse administration to individual optical sensor control, ensuring performance, productivity, and transparency across the supply chain.
Immerse in virtual software worlds and develop 2D or 3D models with a detailed depiction of the system, KNAPP uses simulation and emulation models. Before any installation work begins, the warehouse comes to life, displaying the system’s capacity. In line with KNAPP’s zero-defect philosophy, this course of action significantly boosts efficiency throughout the project.
Hanel: Best Warehouse Management System
Hanel has long been associated with high-quality warehouse management products and cutting-edge intralogistics solutions. It is now one of the world’s top manufacturers of material handling automation systems and storage carousels for industrial and office use.
Hanel Rotomat industrial and office carousels, the Hanel Lockomat, and the established Hanel Lean-Lift and Multi-Space vertical storage systems are among the high-tech automated solutions. Hanel systems provide various advanced features that safeguard stored products and promote inventory transparency for optimal efficiency, in addition to ergonomic design for improved put and pick activities. Vertical solutions can save up to 60% of your warehouse floor area while drastically increasing the speed with which products are accessed and retrieved from storage.
Effimat: Warehouse Management Software
The EffiMat enables effective day-to-day administration and intelligent storage across the whole value chain, whether for automated storage or high-speed order picking optimization.
In addition, the EffiMat is a versatile solution for a warehouse management system that can be tailored to fit a variety of needs. Depending on the company’s specific demands, the EffiMat can serve as both storage and a buffer in a work cell. If the EffiMat is used as a buffer in a work cell, it can run for several days before needing to be replaced. The EffiMat also allows for collaboration with a cobot or the integration of carton box assembly. With the EffiMat, there are numerous options for creating a fully automated system.
Why Do Stakeholders Care About the Consumer Product Supply Chain?
Suppliers, retailers, and consumers all value a well-functioning supply chain.
Suppliers strive to maximize efficiency by taking advantage of economies of scale. They can keep costs down and pass them on to retailers if they can mass-produce a specific SKU (Stock keeping unit) with just minor variations, making them a more appealing partner and garnering more business.
Retailers are looking for a good value proposition as well as eye-catching branding. They can promote slightly altered versions of products with distinct packaging to highlight benefits and encourage customers to buy. This improves their value proposition and allows them to stand out from competitors that offer roughly identical products.
Finally, customers desire a mix of accessibility, stability, and variety. When they want to buy something, it has to be in stock. They want a recognizable brand from their favorite merchant, as well as reasonably priced, high-quality stuff. To fulfill their individual needs, they often look for slightly different variants of SKUs.
To keep costs low, provide choice, and balance differentiation and mass production, the most efficient consumer product supply chains incorporate all of these elements.
How to Optimize Orders and Stock Levels
To improve orders and stock levels, implement exceptionally strong inventory control methods. Because every retailer is different, there are a variety of approaches that can help you establish an optimal inventory and stock management strategy. Here are some best supply chain solutions and strategies to follow:
- Incorporating supply chain managers into the new consumer product development process so that they may get a head start on identifying potential requirements and engaging with suppliers and manufacturers.
- Incorporating a supply chain assessment process into all marketing and promotional expertise to ensure that consumer product order management is in sync with advertising and the potential of higher sales.
- AI and machine learning forecasting and modeling based on historical trends and external data that predicts realistic inventory levels and recommends future customer habits. Long-term weather data, for example, can be used to estimate demand for outdoor apparel.
- perfectly engineered consumer product reporting that immediately identifies potential future shortages and allows for rapid order tracking to make up for expected shortfalls.
- Crafting a centralized supply chain platform that connects all consumer product suppliers and manufacturers, allowing for total visibility and tracking of order management, supply, manufacturing, and distribution.
Want to start with the afore-mentioned goods-to-consumer options for your warehouse? MWI Solutions is the leading reseller of OPEX, KNAPP, Hanel, and Effimat. All inventory and warehouse management solutions are available at the company. Sign up for a free online demo now to explore how McCombs-Wall Inc can help your business.