Warehouse Slotting Optimization and Distribution Management Solutions

Warehouse slotting is the process of identifying the most efficient location for each item in a warehouse in order to optimize productivity. Proper warehouse slotting and optimization will depend on a facility's unique product, movement, storage characteristics, and distribution management needs. Effective warehouse slotting strategies will allow workers to pick items quicker and more accurately while reducing the risk of injuries.  Overall the right warehouse slotting strategies will enhance distribution management.  There are many important factors to consider for effective warehouse slotting and productivity optimization. (Read more about Warehouse Slotting and Optimization.)

BCI's History of Warehouse Slotting

BCI's highly comprehensive Warehouse Slotting Software, WarehouseVision, determines product placement within distribution centers so that operational productivity, safety, and space utilization are significantly improved.  WarehouseVision contains sophisticated algorithms and flexible, user defined slotting rules which differentiate it from other warehouse slotting approaches.

WarehouseVision is a slotting and warehousing optimization tool currently used by over 1000 distribution centers including many owned by PepsiCo and CVS.

WarehouseVision was created as result of numerous requirements from one BCI's longstanding customers, W. W. Grainger.  WarehouseVision was designed to automate distribution management procedures such as warehouse slotting, profiling, and inventory maintenance. Over the course of a few years, WarehouseVision was enhanced and expanded to meet a wide range of demanding requirements at Grainger.   In 2003, WarehouseVision software was expanded further and ultimately brought to the general market as comprehensive warehouse slotting and optimization software for distribution management.  Over the course of the years WarehouseVision has been used to provide warehouse optimization and enhance distribution management for numerous companies.

A Unique Approach - Slotting a Warehouse for Optimization

Many other warehouse slotting solutions available focus on providing the user with a graphical presentation and require manual intervention to execute.  WarehouseVision, however, was developed in order to minimize manual intervention and deliver tools for determining and testing slotting strategies.  WarehouseVision places an emphasis on user execution, adaptability, and concise slotting optimization.

BCI's Warehouse Slotting Software enhances distribution management by placing an emphasis on the following areas.
 

• Execution and Adaptability to WMS and Warehousing Operational Processes
• Integrating Slotting into the Normal day-to-day Activities as Much as Possible
• Minimizing User Interface once the Slotting Strategy has been Defined
• Setup Rules and Processes to Execute Automatically without User Intervention
• Schedule Alerts and Email Reports on Continual Basis
• Setup Shortcuts for Easy User Interaction
• Monitor Network Capacity as well as Individual Warehouse Capacity
• Create a Dynamic Slotting Model that provides True Warehouse Simulation Modeling

A Flexible Slotting Solution

WarehouseVision can be utilized in a variety of different distribution management scenarios.
 

• Building a new warehouse or expand current warehousing
• Running out of warehouse space to properly store products
• Insufficient storage systems to meet inventory needs
• Optimize picking and put-away strategies
• High travel times accounting for more time from your pick replenishment labor hours
• Low pick rates compared to industry standards