By and large, it is always better to have a growing organization. Opening a new warehouse is a sign of profit and investment, a move that gives confidence to executives and security to employees. Every company wants to be in a position to expand into a new location.
However, growing pains are real in this industry. Maintaining numerous self-sufficient warehouse locations is an expensive challenge requiring base workers, robotics and at least one team of IT support staff. Multiplying profits is the goal here, not doubling your headcount.
Remote warehouse management becomes a vital part of keeping branches operational and profitable at all times. Choosing the right mobile data collection software and hardware solution can have a large impact in how quickly the difficulties of expansion are resolved.
Whether you are in the process of researching a new solution for your warehouse operations or simply trying to optimize your warehouse management processes through automation, here are a few tips for strengthening your network infrastructure:
Be Prepared for Network Interruptions
For starters, any company that demands a 24/7 constant internet connection is setting itself up for failure. While technology advancements continue to improve connectivity uptime, there are still many parts of the world or specialized environments with spotty internet access. In any case, when the web goes down, the warehouse cannot afford to grind to a total halt.
Here is where choosing a partner like RFgen has its advantages. RFgen understands the less-than-perfect realities of broadband business. That’s why we have designed our solutions to work in a variety of offline and high availability modes. For smaller interruptions, data can be stored directly on mobile devices and uploaded to the ERP system once Wi-Fi or internet connection is restored.
In a larger network outage, however, the RFgen server has the capability to store data until connection with the ERP system can be re-established. Our high availability distributed solutions store data collected in the event of a network disruption. This will allow the remote warehouse to keep functioning, even when the network is down.
While online connectivity may not be 24/7, our high availability solution is virtually guaranteed to safeguard important data.
You can learn more about how a high availability distributed solution can keep core warehouse operations functioning when remote enterprise systems are down by downloading this free white paper.
Use Industrial-Grade Equipment When Possible
While Wi-Fi is cheaper, laying wired network equipment is a more reliable, more secure way to maintain a stable and consistent network connection. However, not all Ethernet and fiber hardware is ideally suited to an extreme environment.
Industrial-grade network hardware is built to handle factors like temperature shifts, vibrations and shocks. Amplicon also listed versatility as an advantage of industrial-grade equipment. Serial connections can be limited in the variety of data medium possible per cable, whereas an industrial link can also transmit voice and video simultaneously.
Choosing inadequate network hardware to support a remote warehouse increases the likelihood of problems arising after installation. Implementing the right equipment upfront will reduce costs and boost productivity long term.
The Importance of Remote Warehouse Management Software
As stated before, software plays a vital role in effective remote management. RFgen’s solution has the ability to be tailored to best fit the needs of each client. In addition, without consistent real-time data collection at each remote location, the central office would have an imperfect picture of inventory levels and how well operations are being handled. Problems could persist for hours, days or even weeks before being discovered.
RFgen’s remote warehouse management solutions give a consistent overview of each location as well as providing the vital data capture and storage needed should a connectivity issue arise.
