STOCK CONTROL
Stock control – the lifeblood of a business
Good stock control systems continue to be essential for the vending sector but hear why from some of the industry leading names who have been innovating in the field
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65 Retail Markets head of Europe, Rutger Planken, refers to inventory as ‘the lifeblood of an operator’s business’ but he also acknowledges that it is also an operator’s biggest recurring expense. As such, it is imperative that operators establish strong end-to-end closed-loop warehousing practices. Warehouse order picking solutions provide operators with the tools needed to enhance warehouse operations and help operators more strategically control stock. The most prominent trend 365 Retail
Markets has noticed regarding the stock control arena is integration. Across the unattended retail technology industry, organisations are supporting operators by integrating systems that impact stock control at every level. The most useful implementation is completely integrating warehousing solutions with vending management systems, as well as micro market and office coffee service management systems. Bi-directional communication with point-of-sale devices, such as kiosks or vending machines, maintains accurate inventory levels across systems, thus reducing inefficiencies. “Through our warehousing division, Lightspeed Automation, 365 offers an advanced inventory management tool, Level. It empowers operators and vendors
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to consolidate information from all their operation inputs to truly understand their warehouse inventory and purchasing needs. “Level allows vendors to see on-hand
product quantities at any time. Based on those insights with Level, operators can also cut ordering time because the system suggests purchase quantities, which can typically result in inventory level reduction by 15 to 20 per cent. Level also empowers vendors to automate receiving. The software verifies products received against a vendor’s purchase orders—immediately identifying discrepancies. Another growing integration solution in the stock control arena is including an employee productivity feature. 365 Retail Markets’ answer to this is FastTrack is a
vending pick system that provides a cost- effective pick to light solution for mid-to- large sized vending companies. The system simplifies order fulfillment during the pre- kitting process by using LCD light signals to direct warehouse personnel activities. The Xpress mobile picking solution for smaller operations also enhances productivity by directing employees through warehouses on an efficient route and enabling them to pick multiple orders at once—all while communicating changes to the provider in real time. “A turnkey installation process like this can
convert any vending operator into a highly efficient facility within days—resulting in up to 25 per cent labour savings and up to 75 per cent reduction of missed picks.”
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