The Shipping and Docking/Receiving processes are the most important and crucial function of a warehouse. Without this two functions, no warehouse will be able to reap any profits as Shipping and Receiving are the two activities that connect the warehouse to the customers.
The Shipping function is basically cargoes stored in the warehouse being shipped/moved out of the warehouse to consumers. The video below will help further emphasize the importance of shipping.
Based on 'Business dictionary' definition, receiving refers to a function that involves checking of the quality, quantity, and condition of the incoming goods followed by their proper storage. And, the point of receipt refers to the point where the carrier hands the shipment over to the warehouse operators after ensuring that the proper documentations are in place, and from there, the shipment could be repackaged (if required) and shipped out to it's designated location.
The process of receiving and shipping requires different equipments and transports to perform these functions. Furthermore, a smoother process flow could be achieved with a successul implementaion of Information Technology (IT)computer systems that includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
The video above show the importance of shipping as without shipping, non of the customers in the video would be able to receive their Christmas gifts .
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More On Dock Operations
"Dock Operations
The dock area may well be the most neglected part of the warehouse plan. All too often we are expected to make do with what exists, even if no dock is connected to the warehouse. Except in very small operations, at least one dock door is needed. The number of doors needed will increase is in direct relation to how long it takes to unload or load a shipment and how many deliveries and pick-ups you average each day. You should not have more than one carrier waiting for a door at any given time, and the wait should not exceed thirty minutes.
The basic dock functions are unloading and loading carrier shipments, checking the shipments for damage, and verifying the counts stated on the delivery receipt. The driver should note all damage and shortages on the delivery receipt before the receipt is signed. All delivery and/or shipment paperwork should be routed to the proper department within the organization.
Basic dock equipment usually includes a hand truck and a pallet jack. If there is a high volume of shipments, the pallet jack may need to be electric or there may need to be a powered lift truck. In the end, the characteristics of the shipments usually determine the equipment needed.
Space directly adjacent to the dock doors should be sufficient to accommodate the average daily volume of receipts and outbound shipments. Just how much space depends on the time it takes receiving to check shipments and move them into the storage systems, your ability to control when carriers deliver and/or pick up shipments, and how soon outbound shipments start being staged each day. There should also be space for empty pallets, containers, carts, and the like used to hold inbound goods. You might save floor space by storing these above and/or between the dock doors.
Unless you expect to receive inbound shipments continuously throughout the day, it usually makes sense to handle inbound and outbound shipments in the same area of the warehouse. Doing so usually requires less space, less equipment, and fewer personnel.
Comments: This article gives a clearer picture of dock operations. It explains what the basic dock functions are, what equipment are used to handle the shipments and special equipments that are used for larger volume of shipment and the planning space of a dock.
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More On Receiving Operations
Receiving Operations
Receiving duties often include the dock functions. The receiving function is the starting point for inventory control in the warehouse. It is also the function best suited for gathering information needed for keeping product details accurate and current. And if copies of the product are to be routed or stored, receiving should handle their delivery and storage. Any and all essential data should be gathered at this stage, and it should be documented on the receiving reports.
The basic functions of receiving include verifying product quantity, preparing receiving reports, and routing those reports to designated departments. Receiving also should prepare received products for movement into the storage and picking systems.Receiving also should pull the stock needed to process backorders.
Receiving usually needs a desk, a computer, a filing cabinet, and other furniture or equipment associated with the duties to be handled. A small office or a designated space near or in the dock area is all the space normally required. "
comments: Receiving functions includes the verification of shipment documents, quantity and quality. It is important to note that the shipment data could be collected at this point. It is the starting point for documentations and inventory database collection.
reference: (http://aaupwiki.princeton.edu/index.php/Warehouse_Operations)
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