Warehouse Management/Distribution Center. Marketing Research Paper

Warehouse Management/Distribution Center
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WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT/DISTRIBUTION CENTER
How important of a role does warehouse management play in logistic and transportation industry. Companies such as Walmart and FEDEX.  
 Introduction 
The logistics management has evolved over time, where the warehouse and distribution center operation concept have changed since scope of responsibility of the warehouses has expanded. The warehouse is a unit that supports the functional structure of an organization where there is focus on safekeeping, maintaining custody, control and the supply of materials and products.  Sometimes the warehouses generate added value and this is a logistics function, which helps optimize the functional logistics allow seamless flow in the supply and distribution of products (Staudt et al., 2015).  As such, warehouse management supports continuous and timely supply of materials and the means of production required to ensure there are no interruptions.  I will focus on the role of warehouse management play in logistics and transportation industry. 
Warehouse management and logistics
Warehouse management systems seek to streamline the logistics processes in the day-to-day operations.  In the past warehouse management mainly focused on inventory control, and now helps centralize tasks, perform and manage warehouse data.  Furthermore, warehouse management facilitates proper storage to avoid disruptions in the flow of goods, which is then associated with speeding up the whole logistics process ((Staudt et al., 2015). Proper warehouse management reduces process times and optimizes costs resulting in efficiency in the logistic system. Speedier delivery of goods, cost reducing and better handling of the transport operations improve logistics.
  Analyzing whether there are gaps in the warehouse management is important to improve efficiency and operations of the whole supply chain. Sometimes the logistics techniques are utilized to improve the processes in the warehouse depending on the capacity installed in a warehouses and efficiency of the system, if there are improvements in the warehouse management there is improved efficiency (Li, 2014). At the same time, when there is an efficient and effective warehouse management in place there is better accuracy in controlling and monitoring the movement  of the merchandise, the  accuracy of the records then  improves the logistics since decisions are made based on the information available to avoid wastage and running of stock.
 Improving the logistics capabilities allows an organization to enjoy a competitive advantage as there is operational efficacy greater availability of inventories, flow of materials and delivery capacity.  Warehouse is one component of the supply chain, but when there are disruptions in the warehouse function, this affects other activities along the supply chain. As such, to be competitive in a changing and demanding environment, there is a need to strengthen the warehouse management and logistics. The customer-oriented supply chain is better placed to meet customers’ needs and improve competitiveness in the markets of operations.  
 Warehouse management is concerned with maintaining proper storage operations, and even as inventory management focuses on maintaining a good level of stocks they both affect availability of goods and services. Warehouse management affects the   level of inventory components in the warehouses, highlighting the need to control activities and processes management of the flow and storage of raw materials, work-in-progress, finished products and merchandise or packages in transit. One of the important aspects in logistics system is planning and controls the inventories, while warehouse management helps to maximize chances that there will be no stock outs and customers can get the products when they want.
  Even though, there are various companies with supply chains with different profiles, complexities, properties and sizes, FedEx has provided logistical solutions including optimizing warehouse management (ICD Research, 2014). The improved logistics and Warehouse management result in optimizing the location of products in the warehouse network. There are better customized solutions to facilitate packaging, labeling and delivery that meet the client needs without increasing the costs.  FedEx is the largest courier company in the world in terms of air fleet and international volume and to ensure there is express delivery of packages and optimization of the warehouse management functions
FedEx has improved the FedEx Critical Logistics Inventory service, which utilize the FedEx express transportation company.   These enhancements have made it easier for the customers to track orders, inventory levels and the shipments when they log into the FedEx site. Furthermore, he enhanced capabilities support order placement and enhance the delivery of goods are the world. Proper warehouse management has made it possible to monitor what come and goes out of the distribution centers when required, and the customers then have real-time access to movement of the orders up to delivery (Li, 2014).). There is consistency in capabilities since the warehouse management system operates the same regardless of one’s location across the globe.  The presence if a single, global access point is a competitive advantage for FedEx since customers can access inventory and shipping information regardless where they placed orders (ICD Research, 2014).Warehouse management facilitates  controlling and facilitating all processes   affecting  the flow of the merchandise  since the warehouse  affects regulates the flow of goods stabilize production and demand is important to ensure that the stock limits to keep are up-to-date,  costs are controlled  and speeding  up the order delivery process.   Flexibility to meet the customers’ needs is an element of logistics that extends to order handling and delivering at the agreed time and place (Staudt et al., 2014). In handling the products there is storage and distribution, inventory management, order management and shipments   A well integrated and automated warehouse management system can control and track the movement of orders remotely. 
 Integrating technology in warehousing management has allowed organizations to
Enhance their service delivery.  While e-commerce solutions are most associated with meeting customer needs, companies use a variety of technology to improve warehousing annd distribution to boost services and improve customer satisfaction.  At the same time, improved scheduling and logistics information system allow companies to leverage the transportation network including utilizing freight-forward services to access global markets.   The warehouse procedures to move products are made clear to determine how the products flow and whether there is a need for specialized stores.
For the freight transport companies, the transit warehouses are necessary. These are mostly located in strategic geographical locations, which facilitate the delivery of goods to destinations at the agreed tim...