Choosing a storage system: Key to the success of an e-commerce business
Choosing the most suitable storage system for an E-Commerce business – one that maximizes space and optimizes workflow – is vitally important for the success of the business for several reasons, including:
- OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY. This involves achieving maximum precision in picking and packing, reducing the number of movements, distances, and time spent handling products. With visual stock, easy access, and a clear and orderly location of items, operators will fulfill orders more effectively and quickly, also minimizing errors. There will also be better control of available stock.
It is estimated that in a poorly designed facility, picking costs can exceed 60% of operating costs.
- SCALABILITY. An e-commerce business generally tends to grow over time. Therefore, it is important to design a storage system from the start that is scalable. Consequently, the storage solution provider must take into account both current and future needs during planning.
- SAFETY. A poor choice of storage system could lead to accidents (overloaded shelves, aisles that are too narrow, etc.) or product damage, and as a result, additional costs for the business.
What are, roughly, the phases/stages we follow at POLYPAL for designing and implementing a storage system for an E-Commerce business?
First, a sales technician meets with the client to understand all their needs on-site, the type of product to be stored, daily operations, etc.; as well as to take measurements of the available space in the warehouse or logistics center. With this data, this expert prepares a preliminary report that is sent to the POLYPAL technical office.
It is the professionals in this technical office who then prepare the design of the warehouse layout, that is, the distribution of the warehouse on a plan. This design phase is key to determining the most appropriate storage solution, taking into account variables such as:
- Weight, size, and volume of the load.
- Product flows and rotation.
- Unit load.
- Product characteristics: temperature, life cycle, etc.
- Number of SKUs to be stored.
- Intended storage capacity.
- Available handling equipment.
Some of the most common storage systems in this type of E-Commerce company are:
SHELVING WITH TRAYS FOR MANUAL LOADING
This is a very versatile system because it allows numerous configurations and has a wide range of accessories that easily adapt to the volume and weight needs of the stored product. Furthermore, the same shelving unit can be equipped with bins of different sizes, without the need for screwing and unscrewing, and guaranteeing a perfect assembly.
GRAVITY FLOW SYSTEM / DYNAMIC ROLLER SHELVING
These are widely used in areas of the warehouse with a high volume of picking or in places where products with high turnover are stored. They follow a FIFO (FIRST IN, FIRST OUT) operation: items are introduced at the higher end of the shelving and, via the inclined plane of the rollers, they move to the opposite side, ready for extraction when needed.
MINILOAD, AUTOMATIC WAREHOUSE FOR BOXES
System designed to be operated by robotic equipment. It is a very interesting option due to the high level of efficiency and precision in operations. Some of the advantages offered by these automatic storage systems are:
- Reduction of handling times, since operators do not need to enter the aisles.
- Greater precision in order management. Error reduction.
- Increased safety of people.
- Increased storage space. Products can be stored at great heights (40 meters or more) and with reduced or narrow work aisles.
Palletizing systems are also installed for large loads in automated warehouses with stacker cranes.
PALLETIZATION + PICKING SYSTEMS
It is also possible to opt for mixed systems where the upper levels of the shelves are used for pallet storage and the lower levels for manual storage for picking.
At POLYPAL we have experience in equipping warehouses for E-Commerce. We have devised solutions for pharmaceutical, food, and automotive companies, among other sectors. Some of our success stories are:
LOGISTICS CENTER FOR FEDEFARMA
FEDEFARMA is the leading pharmaceutical distribution cooperative in Catalonia. The firm created a new warehouse in Palau-solità i Plegamans (Barcelona) that should act as a regulating center for seven other warehouses, in addition to making it easier for partner pharmacies to supply online orders.
It was a great logistical challenge designed to respond to the entire value chain of the medicine. To this end, on a constructed surface of 19,400 m2, at POLYPAL we installed:
- Conventional pallet racking.
- Dynamic shelving.
- Manual load shelving – picking.
DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM FOR MERCADONA’S ONLINE SUPERMARKET
MERCADONA needed to equip its new logistics distribution platform in Madrid (15,000 m2) for e-commerce. The supermarket chain transferred the preparation and delivery of orders to these distribution centers, instead of managing them one by one from the stores.
To optimize the processes, four storage areas were designed adapted to each type of product and need:
- Warehouse for products at room temperature.
- Warehouse for refrigerated products with chambers of 3 and 12ºC.
- Warehouse for frozen products with chambers of -30ºC.
- Auxiliary warehouse area.
WAREHOUSE TO PROMOTE CONFORAMA’S ONLINE COMMERCE
CONFORAMA is a multinational specializing in furniture and home decoration with more than 200 stores in France, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Italy, and Croatia. At POLYPAL we are responsible for the design and implementation of the storage system of its logistics center in Liria (Valencia), created, among other objectives, to promote online commerce.
- Warehouse area: 58,000 m2.
- Total load capacity: 73,506 pallets.
- 70,000 product references.
- 8 tunnels for the passage of forklifts.
The storage system plays a decisive role in the performance and efficiency of an online business. If you want to avoid risks and make sure that your choice is correct, contact our team. We will be happy to assist you.
