Manufacturers and distributors are always looking for ways to lower costs and improve productivity in the warehouse. You have probably implemented some level of warehouse automation, but have you eliminated paper processes completely? If not, 2016 should be the year you go paperless. As mobile technology and warehouse management systems capabilities have advanced, eliminating paper is easier and more cost-effective than ever. Not only does paperless warehouse automation save a substantial amount of time, but it also improves order accuracy.

If you are trying to decide whether or not to go paperless in your warehouse, keep the following in mind:

Paperless warehouse automation is more accurate.

Keeping track of every order and shipment is not an easy task. Changes occur almost every moment on the warehouse floor and if your company is still tracking order and shipments with paper or a stationary computer, those changes are most likely not going to be recorded accurately. Going paperless will ensure that your information is always accurate and up-to-date. Using mobile devices on the warehouse floor will help your company improve efficiency and accuracy. Handheld devices give warehouse workers instant access to update, add or lookup data from anywhere within the warehouse. With a barcode scanner or similar handheld device, the accuracy of your warehouse will increase to more than 99%. How’s that for an added benefit?

Paperless warehouse management improves data visibility and gives employees real-time access to information.

A well-run warehouse requires the tracking of items, locations and shipments. With a paper-based warehouse management system, data is tracked by hand and entered by a warehouse worker into the system. With the addition of barcoding software and a barcoding device, you will have a much more efficient way of tracking shipments and resources as they go in and out of your warehouse. The reliance on paper for tracking and shipment confirmations only leads to disorganization, wasted space, and inefficiency. In the paperless warehouse, handheld devices (or barcode scanners) will increase the visibility into your warehouse so workers can see what’s happening at any moment in the warehouse.

Paperless warehouse automation improves productivity and efficiency.

It requires a lot of time and resources to maintain a paper-based warehouse. The printers, ink, and paper used on a daily basis rack up costs. The time spent dealing with paper-based records could be better spent elsewhere. With barcode scanners and barcoding software, your company could reduce or completely eliminate printer and paper costs, as well as focus your efforts on more important warehouse tasks. Handheld devices and barcoding software can also streamline warehouse processes without the added costs and inefficiencies of paper-based processes. Your mobile warehouse will see increased throughput while maintaining the same number of workers. This increase of productivity could lead to more sales and a greater chance for success.

As warehouse management solutions evolve and offer more efficiency to warehouse operations, going paperless is inevitable at some point. While it may take some time to get used to a new way of operating and managing your warehouse, your company will be better off in the long run. 2016 is a great year to go paperless.

Are you ready to go paperless in your warehouse? PositiveVision can provide warehouse management systems that improve accuracy and increase productivity. Seamlessly integrated with Sage 300, these solutions will provide you with business process automation for your accounting, inventory control, order entry, manufacturing, assembly and warehouse management systems. PositiveVision’s industry expertise and experience can help you streamline your processes, lower costs and increase customer loyalty.  Contact us to learn how you can move to paperless warehouse automation.