PROPERTIES IN WAREHOUSE CONTROL AND INVENTORY

Warehouse management and inventory management are two standalone concepts but they have several similarities and differences. To be specific, the inventory management entails more holistic method and for this reason, it represents all inventory within a certain locality. On the other hand, warehouse management plays a role of offering information regarding the specific position of stock within a given warehouse, hence, it eases the process of controlling the products that are present in a store (Imeokparia, 2013, p.24). In addition to the above information, the warehouse administration is supposed to be accurate and efficient based in relation to the stock’s location that follows a systematic criterion (Nee, 2009, p.2). Otherwise, the course of attaining the above objective is also helpful in evaluating the demand and supply as well as contributing to effectual re-order of the required levels. Indeed, there are vital roles played by non-functional and functional properties in warehouse control and inventory. 

The Importance of Functional Properties in Warehouse Control and Inventory

Storage

Storage is one of the major functional property playing a vital role in warehouse control and inventory. Indeed, the warehouse commonly acts as the storage space for equipment and inventory among other organizational items. To be specific, the inventory warehouses has a large number of storage containers and shelving units, whereas others have computerized inventory tracking system that facilitates the process of tracking items available in the store. On the other hand, some stores may have equipment and inventory for various businesses sharing using the same space in order to minimize the entire storage costs (Wang, 2016, p.3). For example, cold storage is a warehouse containing refrigerated rooms that are used to preserve agricultural goods by eliminating insect damage, rotting and sprouting (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.47). In this case, the edible products cannot be stored for more than a year since they may decompose and generate harmful chemical such as aflatoxins. Based on the above information, many perishable goods need to be stored in a temperature below -25 °C since the cold stores are useful on facilitating the stabilization of market prices as well as promoting distribution of goods both on time and demand basis. Conversely, there is confidential information denoting that the cold stores play a role of ascertaining that consumers have received perishable goods at fair prices. Owing to the above statement, Freon and Ammonia compressors are normally utilized in cold stores. The cold warehouses have two major forms of refrigeration systems, that is, vapor-compression systems (VCS) and vapor absorption systems (VAS). Irrespective of these two systems meant to keep good cold, their temperature relies on the need storage time as well as the type of product being preserved (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.98). Generally, there exist three types of products stored in this kind of warehouses and they include alive foods such as vegetables and fruits, no longer alive products as well as the processed goods like fish and meat products. 

The other essential functional element of warehouse and inventory management is parts-to-picker systems entailing retrieval systems and automated storage (RS/AS). This structure commonly utilizes aisle-bound cranes for carrying loads placed in bins or pallets, hence, putting them in the pick points (Regattieri and Santarelli, 2013, pp. 194). In this case, the order picker is structured in a manner that enables it to take the intended pieces and store the remaining load (Zhang and Khan, 2017, p.2). Significantly, the above system is still referred to as order-picking or unit-load and it is fitted with an automated crane that operates beneath various modes, that is, multiple, dual and single command cycles (Kondratjev, 2015, p.15). To be specific, the single-command system denotes that either a load is transferred from the depot to a rack position or from the shelf to the depot. As far as the dual-command system is concerned, the leading load is conveyed from the depot to the store, whereas the next load is retrieved from the holder. In the multiple command units, the S/R machines contain several shuttles that play a role of picking and dropping various loads in a single cycle (Zhang and Khan, 2017, p.2). For instance, in a four-command series, the load machines leaving the depot with various storage loads and it later stores them and goes back without loads (De Koster et al., 2007, p.5). In a like manner, there is another system that utilizes segmental vertical life modules (VLM) as well as carousels that provide unit loads to the picking machines and it can take the right quantity without making an era. 

Moreover, order distribution systems or put systems are also essential functional properties in a warehouse and they entail they enhance the distribution and retrieval process. To illustrate, these features facilitate the conveyance of substances to be retrieved, a thing that is carried out in a picker-to-picker-items way (Zhang and Khan, 2017, p.2). Moreover, the put systems have carriers that are provided to the order picker who supplies them to the intended client. For example, these systems are common in companies dealing with a large number of client order lines that have to be collected within a short period of time as it is viewed in flower auctions or Amazon Germany Warehouse. In the above two companies, the put systems are used to make about 500 picks in every order on an hourly basis (De Koster et al., 2007, p.6). However, the newly developed picker systems have the capability of handling approximate 1000 items at each picker hour. 

Office Space

The office space is an essential functional property in warehouse inventory and control. The owner of the stores has portioned their warehouses to obtain a meeting room and office space among other areas used for manage the organizational transactions. To illustrate, the above practice is commonly applicable to businesses involving construction based activities and wholesale companies (Wang, 2016, p.2). On the other hand, the meeting and office areas help the managers to interact with the potential customers without experiencing added costs and expenses while booking a rental room to have multiple discussion with company’s stakeholders (Bartholdi and Hackman, 2008, p. 143). Based on the above information, it occurs that an office acts as a commercial place that is mainly used by the individuals monitoring the activities carried out within the organization. 

Work Area

The warehouse contains the portion set aside and it used during product finishing and assembling. For example, this area enables business owners to minimize cost by incorporating what could otherwise be storage areas or workshop. As a matter of fact, this area is helpful in reducing the transport requirement within the warehouse (Regattieri and Santarelli, 2013, pp. 184). Still, this portions is applied for repairing the damaged items, hence, it enhances worker productivity (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.112). In relation to the above information, there is confidential information indicating effective lateral and team communication in the work area can enhance the improvement of the entire company’s performance. Still, the research denotes that this area can be divided into several parts, hence, enhancing the process of grading workers, a thing that in turn boost communication between the management and workers (Kolarovszki and Vaculík, 2013, p.259). For example, engineering workers specialized in making toys can use the work area to educate the organizational stakeholders about his design and them implication in the child’s real-life situation. In a like manner, the workplace sectors are useful in promoting communication among the employees, hence, contributing to job satisfaction. To illustrate, most companies using work area ascertains that the information and directives are flowing upward in an institution and the management is able to offer the necessary feedback. 

Container Management

The container management is an essential functional property in warehouse control and inventory. Indeed, the company’s management is supposed to determine the activities carried out within the organization as well as monitoring the goods entering and leaving the warehouse. For example, the Savanna.NET® administration system is helpful in enhancing the efficient application of available storage space and contained. To be specific, the above company utilizes its container management system to enhance the control of different types of dimensions and pallet (Kolinski and Sliwczynski, 2015, p.178). On the other hand, this space makes it easy to assign pallets with a special data and id including stock keeping unit, expiration/production date, a lot, pallet look, and the pallet location. On the same note, the operators are supposed to have an alternative to locking pallets as well as putting them in quarantine during the expiration date. Furthermore, the container help in monitoring the rack storage location within the current space allocation and system as well as enhancing the item zoning, hence, optimizing the storage (Kondratjev, 2015, p.37). In this case, the sophisticated storage algorithms are operated through the warehouse management software to identify the excellent location and the refined retrieval algorithms for determining the exact products having proficient criteria for selecting the product. 

User Management/ Security System

The user management or the security system is also a useful property of the warehouse control and inventory. To be specific, the warehouse managers have a solid safety functionality for safeguarding their business, the workers as well as the organizational clients (Bartholdi and Hackman, 2008, p. 236). For example, Savnna.NET is among the companies with excellent user or security management functionality system that enable the management to form user groups (roles) as well as giving user rights to a specific group (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.132). On the other hand, the above system also helps the warehouse manager to provide the user group with the power of carrying out different roles in a warehouse. 

Modules

There are several functional modules that enhance different activities in a warehouse. For instance, the stores have an inward module that serves a role of monitoring the information relating to the management of inwards carried out in the godowns. At this point, the management seems to be concerned with controlling the workforce information as well as enabling them to access their data at ease (Imeokparia, 2013, p.26). For example, the admin can take the print of worker report and allow other administrators to make any amendment concerning the employee’s data. Still, all the inwards module play a role of enabling the individuals using the organizational database to enter down-wise inwards information while carrying various transactions within the organization (Imeokparia, 2013, p.27). Based on the above details, it is clear that this module is helpful on enabling the user to select the identity number of the go down from the list and it prevents the entry of wrong ids since it aids the user to make a direct selection from the calendar, thereby, minimizing confusion. 

Moreover, deliveries and return modules are still important functional properties of warehouse control and inventory. In particular, the deliveries module deals with a crucial and major part such as the distribution of sale and service items. For example, this module offers an interface for adding the information about deliveries, hence, it acts as a report for showing all the deliveries carried out by the company in all godowns (Bartholdi and Hackman, 2008, p. 213). Still, this module enables the management to record data about deliveries carried out in the warehouse. Nevertheless, this unit is recognized for facilitating the selection of warehouse id and the number of items from the available list, hence, enhancing the user-friendliness of the company’s product and services (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.112). This component also creates a room for the user to distinguish whether the delivery is done for the purpose of sale or service since it makes it eases the process of printing out the delivery report. On the other hand, the return module is concerned with transactions involving the return of items, thus, being considered as a report for highlighting all the returns carried out by the clients in the specified warehouse. A good example of the application of returns module is where the common user enter return information during the return transactions (El Mohajir and Jellouli, 2014, p.44). In this case, the return module establishes a facility where the users can pick the delivery items as well as analyzing the return report in a horizontal way. 

On the other hand, the reporting and administration modules significant functional properties for warehouse control and inventory. In the illustration, the administration module enhances the process of managing users’ information, hence, enabling the organizational overseer to add and delete new subscribers as well as sending the print application to the intended organizations (Bartholdi and Hackman, 2008, p. 69). For example, the Smart Inventory Management System is one of the administration modules that is used to record information about the institutional members and monitoring their daily transactions. In a like manner, the reporting module is applied to offer reports demanded by the higher management (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.67). To be specific, this warehouse unit is used as a facility for generating a vigorous report including the data concerning the warehouse, monthly deliveries, monthly inwards, stock statements and monthly returns. 

Importance of Non-functional Properties in Warehouse Control and Inventory

The non-functional elements in warehouse control and inventory also play a vital role in an organization. Indeed, the nonfunctional properties are useful in indicating the way the system needs to operate, hence, they are known as the quality attributes. The first non-functional property is usability and denotes how difficult it is for the users to operate and learn the warehouse system (Kolinski and Sliwczynski, 2015, p.181). Still, the efficiency of an application is a factor that highlights the average time needed to attain the user’s objectives and it dictates that tasks that users can finish without being helped. For example, this property is used in various warehouses to determine the transactions that are accomplished without errors (Ramaa et al., 2012, p.17). Still, intuitiveness is an element showing that it is easy to understand the heading, buttons and interface among other features found in the warehouse system. 

Moreover, low perceived workload and security are non-functional properties playing a significant work in the warehouse. To be specific, the low perceived workload is an element indicating the number of attempts required by the users to finish the provided tasks. For example, usability property can put into considerations localization activities and language barriers, hence, enabling people who do not understand a given language to use the products and services offered by foreign companies. Still, an organizational can set accessibility requirements where the individuals using a keyboard can make navigation from the product page through clicking (Linde and Åkerblom, 2016, p.45). On the other hand, security requirements ascertain that the organization system is secured from unauthorized individuals with an intention of accessing it to tamper with the stored data. Indeed, the safety property has different levels of authentication and authorization relating to different roles of the users. To be specific, the data privacy is considered as a security feature that defines individuals who can change, copy, delete, or create information and it also protects the company’s systems against the attacks from malware and viruses (Ramaa et al., 2012, p.15). For example, the entry permissions for a data stored in a system may only be altered by the information administrator. 

Still, reliability and performance are essential properties that affect warehouse control and inventory in a greater way. The reliability describes the likelihood for the software to operate without failing for a specified time. In some cases, this factor is weakened by various elements including hardware failures, bugs present in the code, and issues concerning the system components (Kolinski and Sliwczynski, 2015, p.177). Correspondingly, the process of measuring software reliability is carried out though counting the level of operations finished successfully or tracking the average time taken by the system to run without failing. A good example of the use of reliability is the database updating where the system rollback on the relevant updates during the repair or troubleshooting. The performance refers to the quality attribute describing the system’s response to different user interactions (Kondratjev, 2015, p.49). In the practical use of performance feature, the system’s front page is not supposed to take more than two seconds in order to enable the users to access the database through applying an LTE mobile network. 

In conclusion, the functional and non-functional properties play vital roles as far as warehouse management and inventory are concerned. To be specific, the functional features that are helpful in a store includes office space, storage, work area, container management, and user management/security system and organizational modules. On the other hand, non-functional properties that are beneficial in a warehouse are usability, efficiency use, low perceived workload, security, reliability, and performance.  As a matter of fact, all the above elements are helpful in promoting effectiveness and efficiency about all the warehouse transactions and activities. 

References

Bartholdi, J.J. and Hackman, S.T., 2008. Warehouse & distribution science: Release 0.89 (p. 13). Supply Chain and Logistics Institute. Pp. 1-291. 

De Koster, R., Le-Duc, T., and Roodbergen, K.J., 2007. Design and control of warehouse order picking: A literature review. European journal of operational research, 182(2), pp. 1-15.

El Mohajir, M. and Jellouli, I., 2014. Towards a framework incorporating functional and non-functional requirements for data warehouse conceptual design. IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems, 9(1), pp.43-54.

Imeokparia, L., 2013. Inventory management system and performance of food and beverages companies in Nigeria. Journal of Mathematics. 6(1), pp.24-30.

Kolarovszki, P. and Vaculík, J., 2013. Warehouse management system based on selected automatic identification technology. Transport and Telecommunication Institute. Pp.257-264.

Kolinski, A. and Sliwczynski, B., 2015. Evaluation problem and assessment method of warehouse process efficiency. In Proceedings of the 15th International Scientific Conference, Business Logistics in Modern Management, Osijek, Croatia. pp. 175-188.

Kondratjev, J., 2015. Logistics. Transportation and warehouse in a supply chain, Centria University of Applied Sciences, pp. 1-61.

Linde, G. and Åkerblom, J., 2016. Developing a warehouse management system in an Omni-channel environment. Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Division of Engineering Logistics, pp. 1-152. 

Nee, A.Y.H., 2009. Warehouse Management System and Business Performance: Case Study of a Regional Distribution Centre. In 2nd International Conference on Computing and Informatics. pp. 1-6.

Ramaa, A., Subramanya, K.N. and Rangaswamy, T.M., 2012. Impact of warehouse management system in a supply chain. International Journal of Computer Applications, 54(1), 14-20. 

Regattieri, A. and Santarelli, G., 2013. The important role of packaging in operations management. In Operations Management. InTech. Pp. 184-219. 

Wang, W., 2016. The field of logistics warehouse layout analysis and research. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics. 4(06), pp. 1-5. 

Zhang, Y. and Khan, S.A.R., 2017. Importance of warehouse layout in order fulfilling process improvement. International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology.3 (4), pp.49-53.