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SHOPIFY LOGISTICS
BULK RECEIVING - WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION|NATIVE APP
2022 - 2023
SUMMARY
The 'Bulk Receive' feature enables associates to receive shipments of trusted merchants in bulk at the warehouse, avoiding the need to scan each individual unit.
PROBLEM + OPPORTUNITY
Problem
As a relatively new WMS, the warehouse was not optimized for more mature features and Bulk Receiving was one of them. The warehouse was starting to have regular shipments from trusted merchants and finding it inefficient to scan in each individual SKU knowing that the margin or error for certain inbound shipments were quite low.
Opportunity
The 'Bulk Receive' feature enables associates to receive shipments of trusted merchants faster creating major operation effeciencies.
SOLUTION
The solution for this problem wasn't as simple as providing a feature that allows for bulk receiving. It was important to our Operations managers that we also considered building in rules for:
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System directed approach
System directed rather than user preference. In order to ensure the feature was not being used inappropriately and to ensure accuracy wasn't compromised, it was important that the new feature was activated only by system approved shipments. Hence the workflow was design such that the option to bulk receive only gets prompted when an associate scans an ID that is verified for bulk receipt in the system
Step 1
Once the associate scans the receiving ID (shipment ID) the system will prompt the next screen which will display the containers expected on that shipment.
Step 2
The associate may then either scan a pallet or box depending on the package the shipment was sent in. This action will send a query through the network to check eligibility for bulk receiving.
Step 3
If that shipment is verified for bulk receipt, the associate will be presented with this screen and given the choice to continue receiv the normal way or to scan the box/pallet through in bulk.
High level flow
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Qualification barrier
The bulk receiving feature was established to ensure efficient inbound shipment processing while mitigating risks associated with potential damages, incomplete deliveries, or incorrect shipments. By selectively allowing merchants access based on predetermined criteria, we aim to prevent oversights in both quantity and quality, thus maintaining operational integrity and enhancing overall warehouse efficiency."
The Bridge, our management software used by supervisors captured the status of the shipment and displays the contents once verified as eligible for bulk receipt.
State: Shipment ID is scanned
Dashboard populates once the shipment ID has been scanned. The scan event occurs at the receiving station by an associate using a scanner.
State: Receiving in progress
Dashboard populates once the Pallet or Box ID has been scanned and sets status to 'receiving in progress'
State: Shipment closed (scrolled view)
State: Shipment ID is scanned
Dashboard populates once the shipment ID has been scanned. The scan event occurs at the receiving station by an associate using a scanner.
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The Bridge
Operated and monitored by operation managers, the Bridge is able to capture and display the activities of each scan event within the warehouse. Once a box/pallet, SKU or location is scanned, the scan action is reflected here for visibility and overall assessment of warehouse productivity. The Bridge then displays the contents of the package.
THE BRIDGE | BULK INDUCTION DESIGN
ASN Detail Page
Navigation menu
Shipment summary panel
ASN Detail Page
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IMPACT
Faster receiving:
The ability to receive hundreds and sometimes thousands of inbound SKUs with a scan improved efficiency in the warehouse not only in inbound processes but also downstream. Faster induction means that units were put away into inventory faster which in turn means orders coming in get processed much quicker.
Meeting Service Level Agreement deadline:
The service level agreement between the merchant and warehouse to induct products into inventory ready to distribute with 48hrs of arrival at the warehouse was much more possible to attain.
Associates meet their daily goals:
Associates were more equipped to meet their daily performance goals of units received during shift since they could now get through larger quantities of units much faster.
Less cumbersome experience for associates:
The ease the feature provided for users a far less unpleasant experience and reduced pressure to get through hundreds of scans.
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