9 Ridiculous Rules in Logistics that Companies Shouldn't Follow with Qiktruck

The day-to-day operation of any business or company often follows their stringent set of rules that they must abide by. Logistics and materials management companies are no different, but when outdated rules and regulations enter the mix, it can have a serious impact on the entire workflow.

Qiktruck is here to help with the modernization of rules and regulations and ensure that your company operates at its full potential. Here, we identify nine of the most ridiculous rules about logistics that companies should not follow.

1. Don't Utilize Automation

Technology has drastically changed the way logistics and materials management companies operates, leading to increased efficiency, speed and accuracy and yet, there are companies that still rely on manual and paper-based processes for replenishment and inventory management, without taking advantage of the advances in automation and robotics.

This method of working is so outdated, that it cannot effectively keep up with today's demands and supply chain complexities, resulting in higher shipment costs, inaccuracies and significant delays. Automation has the potential to solve these problems and much more, and increasing the efficiency of logistics operations.

Generating inventory orders, or re-order points programmatically is a great way to ensure accuracy and guarantee an optimal level of inventory throughout the entire process. Implementing technologies such as RFID and machine learning are great ways to optimize replenishment, while robotic systems will pick, package and ship orders quickly and accurately, leading to fewer mistakes and a greater competitive edge.

2. Don't Rely on Automated Warehouse Systems for Picking and Packing

While manual operations can prove costly and lead to unnecessary delays, relying too heavily on automated warehouse systems for picking and packing is not necessarily the answer. Although automated warehouse systems can save time and money, it is important to remember that the most efficient pick systems can still be labour-intensive.

Companies should absolutely look into investment in automated warehouse systems, such as automated guided vehicles, radio frequency identification and automated storage and retrieval systems, as these systems can help to improve processes and increase productivity, while reducing costs and mistakes.

However, automated systems must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Companies should carefully assess the type of products they are storing in their warehouses, the size of their warehouses and the number of orders they are receiving. Ultimately, if manual operations can still prove to be efficient, then investing in potentially costly automated systems, may not be the right choice.

3. Don't Track Inventory

This is probably one of the most ridiculous rules in logistics, as tracking inventory should be a priority to ensure accurate, timely and cost-effective ordering and replenishment.

Inventory tracking is an absolutely vital aspect of logistics management, as it helps to ensure that there is a real-time view of the inventory levels in a warehouse. By tracking inventory, companies are able to gain an understanding of the demand for certain products, manage their warehouses more efficiently and know when and how to re-order items.

Qiktruck utilizes advanced algorithms to track inventory and manage resources to ensure that companies have an accurate and real-time view of their inventory in order to make data-driven decisions. By utilizing APIs to connect with existing systems and offering real-time notifications, Qiktruck eliminates the need for manual inventory tracking and offers companies the insights needed to optimize and automate replenishment.

4. Don't Use Cross-Docking Systems for Materials Management

Cross-docking is an effective way to reduce storage costs and ensure that companies have real-time visibility of inventory. By combining the transportation and storage of items into a single process, cross-docking allows companies to move items and materials in and out of the warehouse quickly and efficiently, reducing costs and the amount of time and space needed to store items.

Cross-docking can also be used to combine multiple orders into a single shipment and reduce the number of handling steps, which lead to errors, while still ensuring accuracy and on-time delivery. Qiktruck's cross-docking tools provide full visibility into the process of unloading and loading in different locations, helping companies to manage the entire cycle efficiently and cost-effectively.

5. Don't Utilize Route Optimization

Route optimization is an essential part of the logistics process, as it helps to reduce costs and ensure that shipments are delivered in the most efficient way possible. It essentially involves finding the most cost-effective route for a shipment and taking into account such variables as vehicle size, speed and traffic conditions.

Furthermore, route optimization can help to improve customer service, as it helps to reduce shipment delays and make sure that customers receive their orders when they are expecting them. Qiktruck's route optimization technology allows companies to get an accurate view of their current routes and map out optimal routes in order to deliver shipments swiftly and cost-effectively. The route optimization technology also integrates with existing systems to improve the accuracy and speed of the process.

6. Don't Collect and Store Data on Logistics Operations

Collecting and storing data on logistics operations is an essential part of the process, as it helps companies to gain insights into their operations and make data-driven decisions. By understanding the past, present and future of the logistics operations, companies are better informed and are able to effectively plan for the future.

Qiktruck offers companies insights into their logistics operations through its advanced analytics platform, which analyzes data from multiple sources and allows for insights into areas such as warehouse management, inventory management and materials management. Companies are able to make decisions such as when and how to replenish items, which routes to take and how to optimize their inventory levels. The analytics platform also integrates with existing systems and is able to generate reports and make predictions on demand.

7. Don't Employ Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is another essential part of the logistics process and is a powerful tool that enables companies to make better decisions. Used in conjunction with such technologies as big data, AI can help to monitor and streamline operations, predict customer behaviour, automate inventory management and provide reliable shipment data.

 

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