Technology marches on.

You might share your home with a virtual assistant that, with a simple voice command, can access the entire codex of human knowledge. Your car probably has cutting-edge GPS, entertainment and safety features built in. And your workplace, no doubt, has embraced technologies like the internet, cloud computing and video conferencing software.

These kinds of technologies would have been pipe dreams a few decades ago. Yet nowadays, we don't just embrace them – we rely on them.

It's the same with fulfilment centres. We've seen impressive technological advancements in our industry, which have unlocked untold gains in productivity, efficiency and client communication.

And, of course, we've been quick to embrace these technologies – some of which have fast become industry standards.

It's this tech that allows third-party logistics firms (3PLs) to provide fast, seamless fulfilment services in the age of eCommerce. Curious to know more? Allow us to oblige…

Warehouse management systems

Ah, the warehouse management system (WMS). If there's one technology we couldn't live without, this is it.

Warehouse management systems do what they say on the tin. They help warehouse staff manage the complex processes of stock intake, storage, picking and shipping.

No exaggeration: modern supply chains simply couldn't operate without warehouse management systems. They allow us to automate tedious tasks and keep track of vast and interconnected inventories more easily. Without them, supply chains would slow to a crawl. (Next-day delivery? Fat chance.)

Now, warehouse management systems are nothing new. The first computerised WMS was developed in 1975 by a company called Logisticon. But things have come a long way since then.

Modern warehouse management systems are designed to integrate with popular eCommerce shopping carts. For instance, ours works seamlessly with eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Magento and many more.

Integrations allow for perfect synchronisation between 3PLs and their clients. As orders come in, we're instantly alerted so we can start picking and packing. And as the products leave our shelves, our clients' inventories are updated in real-time.

Pretty neat, isn't it?

RF picking systems

Picking, in case you're unaware, is simply the process of locating products in a warehouse and retrieving them from storage.

Traditionally, a picker would work with a paper pick list. This would tell them where to go, what to pick and in what order to pick it. Simple.

If you're thinking, "well, that sounds fine to me". Then – yes. It's a good enough system. However, relying on paper pick lists isn't problem free.

It's unwieldy, for a start. Picking is a hands-on job, and carrying a clumsy clipboard is hardly the most agile way to work the shelves.

It's also prone to errors. Because if you're relying on human workers to cross items off lists, human error is sure to rear its head – no matter how fastidious the worker or how neat their ticks.

How have warehouses solved this problem? Enter radio frequency (RF) picking systems.

These systems rely on handheld scanners and wireless networks. To demonstrate how they work, here's a quick "minute in the life" of an RF-equipped warehouse operative:

1. 
   The worker receives instructions on where to go and what to pick. These instructions are sent to their RF device.
2. The worker goes to the location and scans the item with their handheld scanner.
3. The RF device sends a wireless signal to the warehouse management system, letting it know that the order is complete.
4. The worker receives instructions for the next order.

Simple, right? Not only does this process make life easier for the operative, but it drastically reduces picking errors too. One study found that RF systems improved inventory accuracy by a whopping 25%.

Pallets

We didn't say all these innovations were cutting-edge, did we?

The pallet is old – we're talking Ancient Egypt old. But that doesn't make it any less useful as a technology.

The fact is this: the modern, standardised pallet has revolutionised warehousing just as much as the computerised WMS. Arguably more so.

Sure, it's a simple technology. Anyone can build a pallet with a tape measure, some nails and a few planks of wood. But it's this simplicity that makes pallets so profoundly useful – they're strong, simple to manufacture and can be easily reused or recycled.

Notice, too, that we wrote "standardised". Several standards for pallet sizes exist, including the ISO (international) and Euro-pallet standards. And while no one standard is universally accepted, manufacturing pallets to uniform measurements allows for easy space and stock management throughout a supply chain.

Sometimes the simplest inventions prove the most durable. The pallet, we think, is living proof of this. Here's to another 2,000 years or so.

What does the future hold?

The world of logistics never sits still – literally and figuratively.

So it should come as no surprise that new technologies are being developed all the time.

These include AGVs (automated guided vehicles), which are essentially forklifts with AI brains. They know how to navigate warehouses, retrieve stock and – crucially – avoid human workers.

Then there are automated picking tools, such as pick-to-light systems. These systems use illuminated beacons and LED displays to allow for hands-free picking. The beacons and displays literally direct warehouse workers to the correct items.

And in the not-too-distant future, we expect to see exciting advancements in internet of things (IoT)  technologies. These promise to supercharge efficiency, by allowing warehouse managers to monitor processes and make data-driven decisions like never before.

A lot is happening in the world of fulfilment – and you can bet that we're keeping a close eye on every development.

Now you know the tech, discover how we can put it into action. At Stowsafe, we help all kinds of eCommerce retailers grow online with fast, flexible order fulfilment. Learn more about our logistics process – or get in touch to discuss your requirements with one of our experts.