A video on 3D modeling your DC

Karma Logistics Inc, is adding a new dimension to improving DC productivity.

Yes, we are. Going from 2D to 3D.

Adding that extra dimension makes your DC graphic come 'live'. The same functionality that we used to on a 2D drawing - slotting, simulation, Cube analysis etc are shown beautifully in a 3D model.

This YouTube inserted here shows the Functions and benefits of our 3D model.

What DATA do we need to create a LIVE model of your DC?

Data Requirements

https://sites.google.com/site/karmalogisticsintro/data-required

WE connect our Application to connect to your server and download the necessary data, as frequently as we need. We process this data. Then send the results back to the 3D model application using a wired or WiFi environment.

Contact:

Karma Logistics Inc

Minnesota USA and Bangalore India

ram.krishnan@karma-logistics-inc.com

More about Karma Logistics at

WarehouseIQ - a resource for distribution professionals

 http://warehouseiq.com/

WarehouseIQ - an internet based information source.  You may have heard about this great service to our industry. Think of this site, as a one-stop starting point for information.

We at Karma Logistics, have been partnering with WarehouseIQ.  In a recent website cover page, they have described our newest warehouse tool - 3D model of your warehouse on a IPad.

3D model - showing current onhand inventory

3D image inside an IPad

Thank you for visiting the WarehouseIQ site.


Karma Logistics Inc
www.Karma-Logistics-Inc.com
Ram.Krishnan@Karma-Logistics-Inc.com

Do you have any of these 8 common symptoms in your DC?

How do we know that you (your DC that is) may be suffering from some of the above symptoms.
Note, that we said "symptoms". Hence, the root cause is somewhere else.

As our economy (the US) is trying to come out of the 'ditch', we have new issues to worry about.

1.  The distribution channel mix is not what it used to be.

2.  Facebook is now used for individual product promotion.

3.  Product proliferation (and hence SKU growth) is at full speed to grab the attention of the shopper.

4.  Major distributors -like Wal Mart, Target are taking away sales from the traditional Grocery distributors.

5.  Best Buy ( and before that Circuit city ) stores are being used as Show rooms and people eventually buy from Amazon and other on-line distributors.

6.  A major Food distributor like Supervalu, after years of buying up many competing chains, announces that it is 'FOR SALE".

7.  Some of the Wal-Mart shoppers are switching to Dollar Stores.

What is a Warehouse Operator to do?

If you examined your layout, operations just last month, it is time to do it again.

We help DC's by Profiling the Inventory and Customer orders, every week.
And we keep making incremental slotting changes based on that.

Optimum vs Flexible designs

An optimum design sounds good. That it will yield the lowest cost of operations. But 
such an optimum design is based on 'today's conditions' and 'our best guess on what tomorrow will bring. If those assumptions do not materialize, then the 'optimum' design will start costing more. And after sometime, it will begin to have major operational problems also.

A flexible design on the other hand, may cost few dollars more, but will continue to weather many unknowns in our marketplace.

Here is a graphic that explains the difference between optimum and flexible designs.

Thank you for reading this BLOG.

Put your layout, inventory onhand info to good use

In our previous blog, we described new visual technologies to improve your DC operations and its productivity.

We showed you this graphics image below.

Key benefits of this 3D model graphics to you and others in your DC organization

1.  make it easier to visualize your DC.

Besides the Warehouse Manager, Supervisor, Inventory analyst, share the same information visually with your Buyers, Re-buyers, merchandisers.

You as a DC manager are only responsible for the cost of the DC operations and its productivity.

Unfortunately, you have no direct say in how they are purchased, how they are ordered by the customers etc.

You allow everyone to see the Item catalog list etc.  Why not show them, the current on-hand info visually. It may change their re-order process, promotional set-ups etc.

2.  What do we need to create a similar 3D graphics for your warehouse(s).

we need your layout drawings, plan views, elevations and 3 data-bases.

Data Bases:   (1) Item Master  (2) Order pick data  (3) current on-hand inventory in all slots

This link below has full details.

https://sites.google.com/site/bringyourdcforatuneup/data-required

3.  How long will it take to make these graphics and the process for your DC?

may take between 1 week to 4 weeks; based on your DC's complexity and your needs.

4.  How much will it cost?

To make cost estimates, please send a layout drawing of your DC and answers to the 3 questions below

    4.1  Size of your DC in sq.feet or sq.meters

    4.2  Number of active SKU's slotted in the DC

    4.3  Number of warehouse staff (without admin. and clerical support staff)

5.  WiFi or No WiFi

Do you have a WiFi environment inside the DC?

     This helps to mount IPad's (and other Tablets) to be mounted on Forklifts or displayed at other places.  If you have only a Wired environment, fine, you can use it in desktop PC environments.

6.  IPad's and other Tablets.

There are many APPS that allow your Ipad to connect to a Windows-based PC's.

One well-known APP is called "LogMeIn".

You may be in-charge of a facility in El Segundo (Los Angeles Calif) and on a visit to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil. Thanks to LogMeIn and your IPad, you will remain connected.

On WiFi environments, we suggest a every-5-minute refresh of the data.

7.  So far, this is just the basics.  We have not talked about Profiling, Best-Fit layouts for both bulk storage and pallet rack, HITS analysis, design forward pick slots to minimize travel incurred in picking and replenishment.

8.  We have not talked about - how we will keep your DC at its best, with our low cost weekly slotting service.

Few more 3D graphics for you to enjoy.

Hits analysis - which items are moving

a close-up view with ITEM and SLOT details

Seen on a IPad screen

Our weekly slotting service

Contact:

ram.krishnan@karma-logistics-inc.com