While these numbers are rarely released by Amazon itself, one recent survey estimates that more than 100 million people across the United States have Amazon Prime benefits. Based on recent population data, that’s nearly a third of the entire country.

It’s safe to say that online shopping has become the way of the future, whether you’re touting two-day shipping or not. As retail footprints continue to shrink in favor of online shopping, warehouses are being forced to adapt to this new future of retail. Here are a few ways you can make sure your warehouse is ready now for whatever the future may hold.

Change Emerges From the Supply Chain

With online shopping rising in popularity over brick-and-mortar retail business for many areas, warehouses and supply chains will need to switch tactics for stocking and fulfillment, from stocking shelves with bulk orders to shipping small orders in individual boxes directly to customers. There are warehouses still relying on manual processes because traditional hardware and software solutions have previously only been accessible for larger companies. But, sticking with manual processes leads to errors and inefficient workflows. It’s time to add updates such as warehouse management software and other upgrades to your warehouse in order to remain competitive.

As more and more commerce moves online, retailers will be looking for warehouse and supply chain partners that can meet the quick turnaround needs of direct shipping. This new shifting environment is what’s driving the bulk of the change to transform warehouses for the future.

New Trends Mean Integration in Logistics

Integration is the name of the game when it comes to any new trend in logistics. These new warehouse management software integration trends should be at the top of your list as you plan for the future.

• Automated Capacity Management: Capacity management is not new. It’s what ensures your old inventory gets moved out and doesn’t take up valuable space for newer or faster moving products. Upgrading this to an automated sphere will use technology to provide data-driven capacity planning and management, reducing errors, lost revenue, and wasted space.
• On-Demand Warehousing: New shifts in retail require the ability to accommodate capacity demands that may be either long term or very temporary. With on-demand warehousing, supply chains that find themselves with extra storage space can essentially rent it out to other warehouses that are bursting at the seams during a peak season. The ebb and flow of spatial needs benefits both parties and allows retailers to continue meeting customer demand at an easily scalable rate.
• Automation as a Service: You’ve heard of SaaS (software as a service), but automation as a service might be a newer term. This fast-growing business model lets customers deploy automation on an as-needed basis. Whether your company is just exploring automation for the first time or you only need it certain months of the year and don’t have the budget to fully own, automation as a service provides easy on-demand access to technology without the full-time investment.
• Connect Through APIs: APIs, or application programming interfaces, are what make it easier for the average tech user to develop and work in the systems they have purchased, such as warehouse management software. Rather than spend money on developers and programmers, systems are now created to be more user-friendly with APIs that programmatically interact with a separate software component or resource. APIs can function in the warehouse and supply chain by collecting data from disparate systems to integrate technology for a more complete view of the business.

Prepare for the Future With PositiveVision

Whether you’ve been planning for the future for some time, or just starting to jot down ideas, the experts at PositiveVision can help you get the right technology to match your specific warehousing needs. The right warehouse management software can help reduce unnecessary costs and drive your business to compete at a higher level in the marketplace.

Don’t wait. Prepare your warehouse now for whatever the future might hold. Contact one of our software experts to start planning today.