How Businesses Can Create Smart Warehouses With IoT

The rise of ‘made-to-order’ goods and priority shipping might be good for revenue generation but it presents more challenges for warehouse managers. Whether your business is a third-party logistics provider or manages its own inventory, keeping track of large volumes of inventory and increasing consumer demand will be a difficult task. That’s why more businesses are equipping their warehouses with IoT solutions to optimise warehouse operations and take inventory management to the next level. This is also known as creating a smart warehouse. Therefore, if your business is interested in creating a smart warehouse to optimise business performance and operations, this article will show you how.

Building Smart Warehouses With IoT

A smart warehouse is one that uses Internet-enabled technologies to automate various aspects of its operations in order to improve productivity and efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of interconnected sensors and smart equipment that transmit data to one another, allowing for greater flexibility and enhancing the capabilities of the warehouse and its employees. In essence, there are 3 aspects to creating a smart warehouse with IoT:

1. Real-Time Location System (RTLS) 

An RTLS utilises either Bluetooth or RFID technology to capture and transmit information about products, environments, and people. When fitted onto sensors and devices, they create an ecosystem of connected technologies that continuously sends out information about their location and identity-related information to your business’ control centre. This provides GPS tracking capabilities for assets so that warehouse managers know the exact location of goods moving in and out of the warehouse at all times. In addition, an RTLS provides data about the movements of employees so that unauthorised access can be prevented and worker accidents can be attended to immediately. As a result, with access to a continuous stream of real-time data, managers will have a full overview of the entire warehouse so that they can quickly identify issues before they get out of control and ensure the security of their goods.

2. Warehouse management system 

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a crucial component of a smart warehouse. This is a platform where all the information and data from the IoT-enabled devices are compiled into comprehensive and easy-to-understand reports that supervisors can reference when reviewing the performance of their warehouse. Not only does it allow them to flag out inaccuracies, but it also allows them to plan for the future by analysing and extrapolating current data. This way businesses can easily scale their operations to meet increasing demand.

 3. Use of various mobile devices

The fact that IoT solutions do not require on-premise tools to function properly is a significant advantage. Since IoT enables data to be transmitted across various mobile devices, employees can continue to do their jobs effectively from wherever they are, even if they are off-site. Environmental sensors that send data to operators’ mobile devices, for example, allow them to remotely monitor environmental conditions and ensure that they are at appropriate levels, which is critical for environmentally sensitive goods such as agricultural and pharmaceutical products. In addition, IoT-enabled devices also allow for quicker response times to emergencies as employees can quickly tap on the emergency button on their device to broadcast their location during situations when they are far away from the physical emergency button. Subsequently, employees can be more productive and efficient as most of their work can be done remotely.

Moving Forward

From suppliers to customers, a smart warehouse can automate and simplify many processes for businesses. In a fast-paced world driven by technology, IoT solutions will enable businesses to quickly adapt to changing consumer demands so that they can remain competitive.

OverdriveIoT offers a proof of concept trial for our OverGuard system, which features the aforementioned elements of RTLS, WMS, and connecting with IoT-enabled mobile devices. OverGuard helps businesses track the movement of both employees and goods for improved efficiency and security, reducing unnecessary costs and safeguarding against unauthorised access or skiving employees. In addition, it promotes employee safety through automatic alerts that facilitate prompt responses in the event of emergencies or employee injury, as well as provides detailed and customised reports to help inform future business strategy.

As a leading IoT company in Singapore and Asia, Overdrive wants to help businesses optimise their operations through IoT solutions. Contact us today to learn more.