Logistics warehouse

Definition of a logistics warehouse

A logistics warehouse is a storage area

It is designed for unloading goods, receiving and checking products, placing pallets in the storage area, processing packaged goods, labeling and packaging products, and loading goods for delivery.

Warehouse equipment

Inside the logistics warehouse, you'll generally find the following equipment: forklift trucks, pallets, shelving, handling equipment, storage racks and cabinets Outside the logistics warehouse, you'll usually find the following equipment: trucks, containers, storage areas.

Different types of warehouse

Logistics warehouses are divided into different categories.
Class A warehouses require :

• a height of over 9.30 m ;
• a maneuvering area more than 35 m deep;
• one platform per 1,000 m² of warehouse space;
• minimum floor resistance of 5 T/m²;
• heating ;
• a fire extinguishing system.

A Class B logistics warehouse requires :

• a height of over 7.50 m ;
• a maneuvering area more than 32 m deep;
• one dock for every 1,500 m² of warehouse space;
• minimum ground resistance of 3 T/m²;
• a fire extinguishing system.

The other warehouses, which are neither class A nor class B, belong to class C.
These warehouses include

• courier warehouses: these are medium-height premises with facing openings running the length of the building.
• refrigerated warehouses are designed for food storage, and must offer :
• thermal insulation ;
• a cold source to keep foodstuffs at a low temperature.

How does a warehouse work?

The role of the warehouse

The main role of a warehouse is to receive and store products. But beyond this function, the warehouse also acts as a regulator: the logistics warehouse must guarantee the customer the availability of a product in the desired quantities and within the agreed delivery times.

Goods receiving

Goods receiving is one of the most important processes in the logistics warehouse. Poor management of incoming goods can lead to numerous inventory errors, and thus reduce productivity. That's why it's so important to carry out each and every one of the operations involved in goods receipt with the utmost care. There are four such operations. They are: planning and information, unloading and loading dock management, quality control of incoming goods, and labeling, consolidation and addressing of goods.

Goods storage

A distinction is made between two storage methods: floor storage (floor block storage) and rack storage (dynamic racking, single-depth rack storage, double-depth rack storage, carousel storage).
Block storage refers to storage based on crates, boxes or pallets stacked directly on the floor, without racking or other devices. The system consists of several parallel loading and retrieval lanes of uniform width and length. In these lanes, employees use a conveyor to store and retrieve goods.

Dynamic shelving systems use the FiFo method to speed up the whole process of retrieving and storing loads. They save more time than traditional accumulation shelving, which requires forklift trucks to enter the aisles.
Single-depth racking is a single-depth racking system consisting of boltless, screwless shelving.
Double-deep rack storage is a shelving system consisting of two storage locations Carousel storage uses an automated carousel with a column of racks suspended on wheels There are several types of storage, including textile storage, food storage and chemical storage.

Order picking

The order-picking process comprises three stages: picking, sorting and packing. When large quantities of goods are received into the warehouse, they are first stored in displays and then transferred to a picking area as and when required. It is from this picking area that products are retrieved for onward transport to the packaging area.
Three different methods are used to prepare orders. The "Pick and pack" method enables ordered items to be picked and packed immediately. The "Put to light" method consists of visually indicating where to put the products. This method saves time and avoids picking errors. The operator is guided by the light to know where to place the item in hand. Finally, the "Pick by light" method uses WMS software which, during order picking, switches on the light beacons of the dynamic shelving channels from which the operator has to pick products. On the beacon's digital display, a number indicates the quantity of items to be picked. He performs the pick, scans the destination location of the products, then presses a button on the beacon to indicate to the WMS software that he has finished preparing the order.

Shipping and delivery

First of all, we need to distinguish between shipping time and delivery time. Shipping time is the time it takes to process and prepare products, while delivery time is the time it takes for the carrier to deliver a parcel to the specified delivery address Shipping is one of the main functions of the warehouse. Its aim is to ensure that the products ordered are delivered in perfect condition and on time. This process is divided into several stages: first, the deliveries to be made are planned. Next comes the consolidation and sorting of goods, followed by document control. Finally, the goods are packed and loaded.
Delivery is the act of transporting goods and ensuring that they reach their destination.

Warehouse objectives

The main objective of the logistics warehouse is to optimize the flow of goods and balance supply and demand, thanks to perfect knowledge of inventories. To achieve this, the warehouse must combine quality of service with cost control.

Quality of service

Because of the central role they play, warehouses must guarantee optimum quality of service. This starts with perfect item categorization, and unfailing knowledge of the products to be stocked.
Warehouse service quality also depends on the efficiency of the warehouse manager. They must be attentive to the needs of their logistics team, because a satisfied logistics team is also a guarantee of service quality and productivity for the company One of the many factors that can improve service quality is warehouse monitoring. If goods are perfectly tracked as soon as they enter the logistics warehouse, the risk of stock-outs is eliminated. Orders can then be dispatched on schedule.

Cost control

Cost control is achieved by optimizing inventories. With this in mind, the "lean manufacturing" process, or the reduction of waste, helps to increase profitability by reducing stocks and production times, and avoiding storage errors.

The warehouse at the heart of corporate strategy

The warehouse is much more than a storage area. Today, it is at the heart of corporate strategy. Indeed, its real purpose is to supply the customer with a precise product in the desired quantities and within a pre-defined timeframe. With the rise of e-commerce, the logistics warehouse is more than ever at the heart of corporate strategy.

An essential link in the logistics strategy

Warehouses are the nerve centers of the logistics system, playing a key role in regulating and accelerating flows according to the logistics strategies implemented. The aim is for the warehouse to process orders while ensuring reliability (reducing the number of errors), efficiency (optimizing delivery times) and profitability (optimizing logistics costs).

The WMS as warehouse orchestra conductor

Today, the WMS is an indispensable tool for optimizing logistics warehouse management. The WMS, or Warehouse Management System, is an information, preparation, monitoring and execution system for transactional warehouse activities.
The WMS software supports the tasks associated with receiving goods, preparing orders and planning goods shipments. It also enables data on incoming and outgoing goods to be collected much more quickly.

The logistics warehouse has become a strategic location for all companies in recent years, thanks in particular to the boom in e-commerce.