There are numerous requirements and obstacles to be aware of when managing warehouses that have cold storage and frozen food facilities.
A fully robust warehouse management system is strongly recommended in a cold storage warehouse to manage operational challenges, compliance with regulatory needs, and maintain quality standards in a cold storage warehouse.
The following are the key supply chain features to be aware of when considering a Warehouse Management Software system for a cold storage warehouse.
1. Monitoring for batch and lot variations and traceability issues
A 3PL Warehouse management software system must be able to conform to the required managing of traceability with the storage of food items. In addition, there are regulations to consider including but not limited to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points… HACCP and the Food Safety Modernization Act FSMA, to name a few.
With food storage warehousing there are an inordinate number of issues with recall of goods. There must be a Warehouse Management System (WMS) in place that manages these issues and deals with batch and lot tracking.
2. Integrating Temperature Controls
Warehouse and operational personnel must be cognizant of multiple refrigeration and deep freeze temperature zones. In addition, a WMS should be in place to manage real-time monitoring for responses to temperature fluctuations. A major concern is the advent of tracking down Granular Temperature variations in specific storage units.
3. Shelf-Life Management and Dates That Products Expire
Cold storage items specifically frozen foods must be managed as it applies to tracking of expiration dates for FEFO/FIFO management cycles. Another issue relating to the expiration of frozen food items is the WMS interfacing with a picking system to be sure there is a managed process in place to rotate the stacking of products.
Having a warehouse management system in place in a cold storage warehouse will also provide for the elimination of waste and minimizing the risk of shipping products that have expired.
4. Putaway and Picking of Warehouse Goods in a Cold Storage and Frozen Foods Operation
There are many possible impediments with putaway and picking processes in warehouses with low and cold temperatures. To overcome these impediments, it is critical that a 3PL WMS allows for pick paths that are enhanced and there are specific temperature picking requirements. A 3PL warehouse should consider wearable technology for a hands-free operation.
5. Inventory Visibility That Is Optimized
A WMS system should have the built-in function of inventory tracking on a real-time basis and a system that conforms to warehouse zones that are temperature-controlled. In a 3PL cold storage warehouse, customers should have real-time visibility, 24/7/365.
A cloud-based WMS is a major benefit for visibility of inventory items that are situated in zones which have remote access.
A major WMS feature to consider is the system provides for data to be reported on a real-time basis. This will help to optimize warehouse operations and the overall decision-making process.
6. Reporting & Compliance with Cold Storage Requirements
One of the key features to consider with a 3PL WMS is that it is able to provide warehouse personnel with record keeping that is efficient and that meets environmental requirements and standards for food and cold storage practices.
Today many reporting and compliance standards include requirements that temperature logs are automated and the system manages the movement of inventory items. In addition, a WMS should include functionality that includes reports that are customizable for inspection and regulatory audits. A full audit trail for all transactions, down to the item/lot/user/date/time must be maintained.
7. Warehouse Features That Are Energy Compliant
A cold storage warehouse should have efficient energy consumption to be sure there is an adequate environment for storage of frozen foods and cold storage items. The WMS system should include functionality that will track and lessen energy usage and provide a level of reduced costs.
8. Integrating Seamlessly With Other Systems
It is imperative that today’s cloud-based WMS systems, integrate with other supply chain processes including EDI providers, TMS, AS, RS, and ERP systems. These systems will provide for greater efficiency and maximized storage and transportation opportunities.
In summary, a WMS must be chosen that supports all of the processes and requirements applicable to a cold storage and frozen food warehouse. Once the WMS is selected and it is managed properly it will greatly enhance cost savings within the operation, efficiency and compliance of the warehouse, and the overall supply chain process and operation.