Warehouse management technologies

Abstract

Purpose

Aims to discover the different technologies used in warehouse stock control.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a review of optical and radio‐frequency product‐labelling technologies, and then examines various devices and systems for reading these labels and integrating stock control into back‐office databases. It then looks at techniques for finding the goods within the warehouse, from simple address labels to radar positioning and inertial navigation, considering both operator‐based and guided vehicle handling systems.

Findings

Labelling technologies facilitate automatic product identification. Rugged handheld computers with wireless communications give real‐time capability and integrate stock control into wider software systems for efficient resource management. Speech synthesis provides one man‐machine interface enabling workers to order‐pick under database control. Automated readers record products entering and leaving the warehouse, theoretically removing the need for stock taking. Automatic guided vehicles are now available to stack and retrieve goods in the warehouse.

Originality/value

Provides engineers with an overview of the diversity of solutions employed in warehouse stock handling.

Citation

Connolly, C. (2008), "Warehouse management technologies", Sensor Review, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 108-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/02602280810856660