Six Mistakes That Detract From Warehouse Efficiency When It Comes To Managing Inventory

One of the most important things a warehouse needs to do successfully to maximize productivity is manage inventory properly. If you're not managing inventory well at your company, you might have trouble maintaining a steady supply of product that's in demand. Eventually, this could lead to lost sales.

The following are six mistakes to avoid that detract from warehouse efficiency when it comes to managing inventory. 

1. Not using a warehouse management system

One of the number one things you need to do to maximize efficiency and productivity with managing inventory is use a warehouse management system.

Inventory management features are among the most important and valuable features of warehouse management system software. 

2. Failing to properly train staff on using the warehouse management system

Even warehouses where a warehouse management system is in place sometimes fail to take full advantage of it due to training issues. Your staff needs to be adequately trained in using your warehouse management system so that they can efficiently manage inventory. 

3. Having no centralized catalog of products

You're going to struggle with inventory management if you don't have a centralized catalog of all your products. Fortunately, such a catalog is typically a feature of most warehouse management systems. 

Make sure that you don't have inventory managed separately in different catalogs. You should have at least one comprehensive catalog that lists 100 percent of the products you carry in your warehouse. 

4. Slacking when it comes to accuracy checks

Don't let yourself or your employees become lax about accuracy. Your inventory management practices are going to feature poor accuracy if you're not incorporating double checks and verification procedures into everyday operations at your warehouses. Employees should be trained to check for errors in inventory figures often. 

5. Always getting inventory from the cheapest supplier

Finding a supplier for products in your inventory isn't only about price. There are other important factors to consider. These include how much lead time you need to give the supplier and how much you need to order at a time.

Make sure you evaluate many factors in addition to price to ensure that you can keep your inventory well stocked at all times. 

6. Not being able to forecast sales accurately

Perhaps the most important and challenging part of inventory management is being able to forecast sales accurately. One great feature of warehouse management systems is that they can help you with forecasting sales. 

Software programs providing warehouse management solutions often are designed to recognize patterns in sales and therefore help you with forecasting sales more accurately as time goes on. 

For more information, reach out to a warehouse management software provider.