Warehousing Distribution Planning
Utilizing Bar Code Technology in Your Warehouse
If there is one technology that can help improve warehouse operations, it has to be the utilization of bar code scanning. Those warehouses that employ a wide use of this technology reap significant benefits. Improvements in productivity and accuracy are possible. Since these two areas are usually the focus of most warehouse operations, it makes [...]
Reducing The Risk In Using Third Party Logistics
As we work with clients looking for a third party logistics option to meet their needs, a few recommendations come to mind. One of the greatest fears in giving your fulfillment function to someone else is the unknown factors of how your customers will be treated and what your cost will be for their services. [...]
Strong Fulfillment Operations Through Rock Solid Basics
While working at a few warehouses recently, a few observations stand out. Probably the most important is to make sure the basics are in place before moving on to more complicated or advanced issues and solutions. Running a warehouse is like building a house. The foundation has to be in place before you consider building [...]
One option for going direct to your customers
In this economy, everyone is looking for some kind of advantage – a way to build their brand image, how to increase product margins, reduce warehouse and logistics expenses – all while sticking to their core competencies. This can be especially difficult for consumer product goods companies and manufacturers. Often times they sell through vendor [...]
Laying It All Out in the Distribution Center
This was written recently by Multichannel Merchant’s Melissa Dowling
Your warehouse layout plays a huge part in the effectiveness of your operation, says Curt Barry, president of operations consultancy F. Curtis Barry & Co., At a session during the NCOF show in Las Vegas in March, Barry detailed some of the steps to reviewing a distribution [...]
Measuring Your Employee’s Performance
The following is from a recently received email sent to Curt Barry…
Dear Curt -
We met briefly at the NCOF conference in Vegas, and I wanted to reach out to you regarding performance errors. I was hoping you could provide me with some insight into how other 3 PL fulfillment companies manage employee errors. Currently, we [...]
BI systems across the enterprise
The most serious business information problem companies face is finding a “single version of the truth.” Many companies are installing best-of-breed systems for order management, fulfillment, call center, marketing, product information, inventory, finance and e-commerce.
Yet no one vendor in the marketplace today can provide more than two of the best-of-breed components needed. Even most ERP [...]
Ways to Save Money
The following is a brief email that we received from one of our eNewsletter readers, in response to an article we wrote about saving money in your company…
Curt:
Just received your electronic May newsletter and wanted to send you some ways we are saving money.
Cut utility usage
Drop non productive associates
Reduce fulfillment goals from 92% to 85%
Keep [...]
15 Ways to Reduce Warehouse Expenses
As it appeared in Catalog Success Magazine written by Paul Miller
At the recent NCOF, Curt Barry, president of Richmond, VA-based multichannel operations & fulfillment consultancy F. Curtis Barry & Company, presented “15 Ways to Reduce Warehouse Expenses.” Here is a summary:
Efficient receiving. Inventory accuracy and product flow through the warehouse all start with receiving. The [...]
From the Dark Side of Productivity
I’m with a firm that spends much of its time helping clients improve productivity and reduce costs. We are ever mindful of the negative side—the “dark side”—of productivity projects. What is the dark side? It’s what happens if we don’t take the human factor into account. As someone with 30 years of experience in industrial [...]
