Warehousing and storage

Exercise 42. Read and translate the Supplementary text 2 (ST 2).

Exercise 41. Complete this crossword with words from the unit.

Exercise 40. Work with a partner and describe a process from your own job in your own words. Use phrases from this unit.

Across

2 Keep goods in a warehouse.

4 Put on top of each other.

5 Container for smaller products.

6 Select the right items.

Down

1 Form smaller units from larger units (2 words – 5, 4).

2 Put into the right order or package.

3 Another word for article or piece.

In the past, a warehouse was only seen as a place to store things. It often took up a lot of ground space and goods were usually picked by hand or using a fork-lift truck.

During the last few years, however, the role and the design of the warehouse have radically changed. The warehouse is now considered a critical link between a manufacturing plant and the external world with a strong impact on the performance of the entire manufacturing and logistics system.

Warehouse automation and complex technologies are now used in order to produce effective operations. Many warehouses today are equipped with warehouse management systems (WMS), which automate the product flow throughout the warehouse and maximize the use of warehouse space through effective picking methods, location consolidation and cross docking.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) have been introduced in many warehouses. AS/RS involves high-racking storage with a machine operating within the aisles, serving both sides of the aisle. These systems can pick, replenish, and perform inventory checks without a human operator.

In fully automated systems, conveyor belts are very important as they link the different areas of the warehouse and carry the goods to where they are required: for example between the receiving areas and reserve storage, or between the picking and loading areas.

The warehouse of today would be unthinkable without the barcode. The barcode label on each item provides specific information about the product, which can be transferred to a computer system. This makes it possible to locate the item’s position in the warehouse and find it again. By using automated technology, such as barcode scanners and RFID (radio frequency identification), warehouse inventory and product flow can be efficiently managed. Combined with modern IT systems, barcodes enable warehouse staff to track and trace all items in the warehouse at any given time and usually in real time.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-29