What are Distribution Centers?

In Distribution Centers (commonly known as DCs) retailers, wholesalers, distributors and logistics providers aggregate product from manufacturers, consumer goods suppliers and other sources for delivery to the end user community through multiple channels. These work processes can be accomplished using conventional methods (Receive, Putaway, Replenish/Stock, Pick/Pack, Ship), Crossdock, Flowthrough or any combination. Operations can be owned and operated by the respective company or outsourced to a third party logistics (3PL) provider for fulfillment activity. Distribution Centers range from very high volume, complex operating environments that typically deploy advanced technologies and materials handling equipment to more basic, lower volume operations that typically deploy more conventional methods. 

Why Focus on Distribution Centers?

The Distribution Center process is central to all movement of goods activity in the supply chain. Here, executives are focused on achieving greater productivity, increased accuracy and meeting end customer demands and expectations. Worker performance is critical to success, therefore improving workforce morale and driving safety and quality initiatives in operations are key performance indicators.  Distribution Centers that have deployed mobility solutions, including voice-enabled technologies, have seen accuracies greater than 99.9% and productivity increases of 35% or more. They have also reported decreases in workforce turnover, injuries and training costs.  Autotrack (Powered by Honeywell), with Vocollect, is very well positioned in the DC deployment environment with a broad portfolio of mobility solutions, software and services. 

What is Driving Business in Distribution Centers?

The primary target areas for DC executive technology investments are: 

•Increased accuracy and productivity

•Reduced operating costs

•Increased customer satisfaction

•Improved workforce morale and safety

•Revenue growth

Keys to Success in Distribution Centers

The key to success in the Distribution Center deployment environment is proper discovery. Understanding the unique challenges and needs of the business users, IT users and operational users within each target market segment is paramount to success. Mapping the right mobility solution (to include products, software, services and support) to create a compelling business case and recognizable ROI using Autotrack (Powered by Honeywell) Total Customer Experience methodology will drive success in the DC deployment environment. Understanding the latest technology trends, such as voice-enabled picking, will also provide an advantage in this space.