Last week I got the chance to reminisce about some of my first experiences of working in a distribution center. I was discussing my role as an inventory control specialist back in 2012 with a start up who is trying to solve for data gaps in warehouse systems (lots of gaps to solve there!).

We specifically started diving into the inventory discrepancies that I was responsible for solving between the ERP system and the WMS. While it could be a maddening task some days, this experience is what truly got me to see and understand so many different aspects of a distribution operation. I would spend tons of time researching through the system and on the back end through Microsoft Access and then go digging on the floor to resolve these discrepancies.

My supervisor at the time would go out digging as well and literally come back into the office covered in dust from trying to find missing inventory so the precedent was certainly set to go deep. For context, this was a book publisher and we kept pallets of old books because many were related to certain personalities or potential trends that could come back into demand (oftentimes because the personality had passed away, RIP). This resulted in product sitting for a long time in the bulk warehouse collecting dust.

One thing that came up in the discussion was the fist time I discovered the location TEMP-001 and learned that it was not actually a physical location. I racked my brain trying to figure out where is this location in the warehouse. One person would tell me it's over there and then someone else would say you need to ask this person. Finally, I realized the location exists nowhere physically. It was simply a virtual location where inventory would get stuck from time to time typically from a missed process step.

Ultimately this resulted in the realization of the disconnect in understanding of what physically happens on the floor and the impact it has on the system. Through this discovery I was able to change my approach as I would go out and do this research. At first it was just about the resolving the discrepancy and then it evolved into preventing that type of discrepancy from ever happening again.

Long term prevention meant that I had to make the floor understand how the steps they take or don't take impact the inventory in the system. We ended up cleaning up TEMP-001 and the inventory that got stuck there was greatly reduced but if there was inventory showing in there you bet I was hitting that floor with my list in my hand and there would be some explaining to do from the floor.

How do you view the connection between physical processes and system impact?

Monday's Episode - Approachable Warehouse Automation from Big Joe

Welcome to another exciting episode of The New Warehouse Podcast. In this episode, Kevin welcomes Nick Malewicki, General Manager of Autonomous Solutions at Big Joe, to discuss how the company is making warehouse automation more accessible.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Big Joe has built its reputation on practical material handling equipment. Now, it is bringing that same philosophy to autonomous solutions.

Wednesday's Episode - AI-Enabled Warehouses: Insights from Dr. Jim Tompkins

Welcome to this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, featuring Dr. Jim Tompkins, chairman and founder of Tompkins Ventures. The company connects businesses with an ecosystem of experts through flexible, results-based engagements.

Tune in and hear Tompkins explain why artificial intelligence is moving beyond isolated tools and into enterprise design. Next, he outlines four stages of AI maturity and their implications for supply chain leaders. Tompkins closes with the data, cybersecurity, and leadership disciplines required to build an AI-enabled organization grounded in warehouse operational reality and practical business needs.

If you follow me on LinkedIn then you know I'm about to get back into a heavy travel season. A lot of that travel being to Chicago coincidentally, must be a popular city for logistics events this year. If you're in Chicago I would love to connect with you while I'm out there or you can come hang with us at Warehousing After Dark in Schaumburg next week.

With so much travel, I'm starting to look at different tools we can use to streamline booking, save on costs and just get everything more aligned. I certainly use Uber a lot when I'm away so I'm taking a look at their business program and if you're interested, they sent over the below offer to share as well. Have you used Uber for Business? Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Have a great rest of the week!

Thank you,

Kevin

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