Select Page

Warehouse Organization: How to Set up a Warehouse Layout & Design a Floor Plan

This article will provide guidelines to optimize warehouse productivity and safety. We will also explore organizational strategies for warehouse layout and design, including how to create an effective floor plan.

(No credit card required)

An inside look of how a warehouse organization is being set up

5.0

Angezeigte Bewertungen bei Google für die Timly Inventarverwaltung Software

4.9

Proven Expert Bewertungen für die Timly Inventarverwaltung Software

4.7

Bewertungen auf Capterra für die Timly Inventarverwaltung Software

Key Takeaways:

  • Effective warehouse organization ensures faster inventory management, reduces accidents, and creates a more efficient work environment.
  • The 5S principles (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) offer a methodology for organizing and maintaining a productive warehouse environment.
  • Optimal warehouse layout includes receiving, storage, packing, and shipping zones, designed to minimize travel time and congestion while maximizing space utilization.

How to Manage a Warehouse Organization?

A good warehouse organization is important to ensure that inventory management, shipping, and delivery of items run smoothly. By having a well-managed warehouse, you can ensure that there is faster and more accurate inventory management, a reduced risk of accidents and injuries, a more efficient work environment, the removal of waste and minimized product damage, and the reduction of labor costs, thus streamlining processes and saving costs.

In order to determine the current state of your warehouse organization, you will need to:

  • Have a walkthrough of the warehouse and identify areas that are disorganized or pose a hazard. Determine if there are any inventory issues, such as stockouts, overstocking, or discrepancies.
  • Look at the processes and evaluate if there is room for better streamlining. Feedback from employees on the state of the warehouse is important to help with improvement.
  • Create a safety audit to help determine if there are any hazards and create a plan to mitigate them.

What Are the 5s Principles of a Warehouse Organization System?

The 5s principles of a warehouse organization system are a methodology that helps organize and maintain a productive and efficient work environment. These principles are sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain.

  • Sort works on removing all unwanted items from the workspace in order to have a clutter-free zone.
  • Set in order focuses on organizing assets in a proper manner for optimal efficiency.
  • Shine focuses on clearing and maintaining dust and debris to create a clean and safe environment.
  • Standardize helps establish standards for organizing workspaces, create procedures, and provide training to employees regarding maintenance and procedures.
  • Sustain focuses on continuously monitoring and maintaining workspaces over time.

What Are the Best Warehouse Organization Methods?

The best warehouse organization methods are those that maintain a work environment that is efficient, safe, and productive. Let us look at some of the important methods, which are pallet racking systems, wire containers, ergonomic equipment, and recycling practices.

A pallet racking system is an important form of storage as it is versatile and efficient. By using this system, you can maximize storage and minimize floor space. This is because palletized materials are kept at a horizontal level and stocked on various levels. This racking system allows you to store large amounts of items in a small space, provides easy access, and is cost-effective.

Wire containers are a versatile storage solution used in a multitude of applications. Their wire mesh design can accommodate a wide range of items, making them ideal for tackling the complexities of how to setup warehouse inventory, including efficient organization and streamlined stock tracking. The benefits of using such a flexible storage solution include their adaptability for various settings, ease of maintenance, and cost-effectiveness.

Ergonomic equipment helps to improve productivity, safety and the warehouse because it reduces the risk of injury. The benefits of having ergonomic equipment are that it helps to reduce physical strain, reduces the time and effort that are needed for a task, and reduces the risk of injury.

Recycling practices are another method for maintaining an organized warehouse, as they help reduce waste, disposal costs, and the environmental impact on the warehouse, which helps increase sustainability.

Over 500 Companies, Schools and Cities Rely on Timly

Inventarverwaltung Software Siemens Logo
Inventarverwaltung Software Sodastream Logo
Inventar Management Software Panasonic Logo
Inventarverwaltung Software Isar Aerospace Logo
Inventarverwaltung Software Euromaster Logo
Asset Management Software BASF Logo
Inventory Management Software Philips Logo
Inventory Management Software IHK Logo
Inventarverwaltung Software Uni Bern Logo
Inventory Management Software Siemens Logo
Asset Management Software Sodastream Logo
Inventar Management Software Panasonic Logo
Asset Management Software Isar Aerospace Logo
Inventory Management Software Euromaster Logo
Asset Management Software BASF Logo
Inventory Management Software Philips Logo
Inventory Management Software IHK Logo
Inventarverwaltung Software Uni Bern Logo

(No credit card required)

What Is the Most Efficient Set up for a Warehouse Layout?

An efficient warehouse layout is crucial for optimizing operations. By strategically mapping out the warehouse space, you can reduce costs and increase efficiency. A well-designed layout ensures optimal flow and organization, leading to smoother operations. Here’s how an efficient setup would look like:

  • It will have a receiving zone that helps facilitate unloading and incoming items. This area should have space for pallets, forklifts, and personnel.
  • Should have a receiving zone that is designed to store inventory. It has a shelving and racking system, which reduces travel time.
  • Has a packing zone that is dedicated to the efficient packing and shipping of items.
  • A shipping zone that focuses on the loading and shipping of goods.

To map out the warehouse for optimal layout, consider these guidelines:

 

  • Warehouse space should be measured to determine the square footage.
  • Determine the workflow of the warehouse that focuses on storage, packing, and shipping.
  • Design the layout and define the key areas.
  • Optimize the layout by focusing on minimal travel time and congestion.
Warehouse containers on the outside

Best Way to Design a Warehouse Floor Plan

The best way to design a warehouse floor plan is to ensure that it provides a proper workflow and maximizes space. Here is a step-by-step process for devising an effective warehouse floor plan.

Step 1: Determine and calculate the total square foot of the warehouse. Once done, identify the type of products, storage space, and number of employees and equipment that are there. This will help you create a workflow and production process.

Step 2: Use flow planning software or even graph paper to come up with schematics. Measure the warehouse space, locate where the doors and windows are going to be located and locate electrical and lighting outlets.

Step 3: Locate the areas throughout the warehouse that are intended for receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping. Decide on the workflow processes and the layouts for each piece of equipment and storage area.

Step 4: Measure the storage layout and find out which methods are the best, such as vertical storage, shelving, and racking systems. Use inventory management and tracking systems to plan out this process and learn how to improve inventory management.

Step 5: Ensure that the layout is safe and that employees and equipment are able to access it. Make sure that there are safety features such as emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. Ensure that there is proper ventilation, lighting, and space for disabled employees.

Step 6: Simulate the workflow and processes so that bottlenecks and inefficiencies can be sorted out. Use 3D software or a simulation to test out the design, refine, and workflow issues.

Step 7: Monitor the layout as required and evaluate and improve the workflow whenever necessary.

Create Accessible Aisles

It is important to create accessible aisles to ensure productivity and safety. This is because the aisles need to be wide to accommodate equipment, personnel, and goods. It will showcase a smooth, flowing movement throughout the warehouse.

To design an aisle, you will need a width that is at least 3 feet wider than the equipment. There needs to be clear colored markings, such as lines, dots, or stripes, to define the aisle space. By having a clear and obstacle-free aisle, you will ensure that employees are productive as they reduce the time spent going through congested areas. To add on, it also provides safety, reduces clutter, reduces the risk of accidents and injuries and allows for easy streamlining of workflows and easy navigation.

Use Vertical Space

In order to maximize vertical spaces and increase storage capacity, it is best to use a shelving unit or mezzanine. Let us look at some tips on how to effectively use them.

  • Select a shelving unit that is sturdy and able to withstand heavy weights.
  • Measure the space where the shelving unit will be placed.
  • Use adjustable shelves so that you can customize the storage space.
  • Place shelves that have a comfortable height and use step stools to access high shelves.

The importance of safe practices lies in the need to prevent any accidents and injuries when accessing items stored at height.

  • Use a ladder that is sturdy and secure.
  • Always have three points of contact when using a ladder: use either 2 hands and 1 foot or 2 feet and one hand.
  • Always face the ladder when climbing up and down.
  • Use a spotter or ask someone to help you access items that are in a high place.
  • Regularly check to see if there is any damage or wear and tear on the shelving unit.

Improve Picking Paths

Let us look at strategies that will help improve picking paths. This is important because it impacts efficiency and productivity when it comes to fulfilling orders. Here are some useful strategies:

  • Use an exhaustive search algorithm to find the shortest route.
  • The nearest neighbor algorithm focuses on the point that is close to your starting point and this removes the need to think about the process.
  • Floyd’s algorithm helps search for the optimal distance between all the known points. This provides quick movement for a traveling salesperson’s problem.

Here are some tips for using software tools to map and optimize picking paths:

  • Use software tools to help visualize warehouse travel and identify areas of congestion.
  • Try different batching strategies for travel time to ensure optimization.
  • Optimize work allocation to increase productivity.
  • Analyze the impact on marketing plans and travel time and adjust where needed.
  • Use software to optimize picking paths, helping reduce travel time and increase efficiency.
  • Design heat maps to determine congested areas and pick-up routes.
  • Use picking path optimization software to help reduce travel time and streamline order fulfillment.

The Timly asset tracking software in use at SodaStream

Timly Inventarverwaltung Software Kunden - Sodastream
Timly Asset Tracking Software

Everything Under Control With One Solution – The Intuitive Asset Tracking Software

(No credit card required)

How to Organize Warehouse Shelving?

To organize warehouse shelving, it is important to ensure that inventory is categorized. Here are some ways to categorize items:

  • ABC analysis. The inventory is divided into three categories: A for high demand or value, B for medium demand or value, and C for low demand and value. This provides prioritization and retrieval methods.
  • First in, First Out (FIFO). This is used to work on the first items that were received and will be sent out in order to make way for newer items.

Labeling and signage play a huge role in maintaining shelf organization. You will need to ensure that a unique identifier is assigned to each item, the labels are readable with the right description, quantity, and storage location, and there is appropriate signage for employees and visitors.

Organizing a Warehouse With Slotting, Labeling and Software Support

Slotting is a strategy that helps organize warehouse storage to maximize efficiency by analyzing the location of inventory. This helps reduce handling costs, improve order fulfillment, and increase productivity. To create an effective slotting strategy, you will need to ensure the characteristics of the product, its SKU velocity, the warehouse routes which employees take, and inventory levels.

By implementing slotting strategies, warehouses can reduce handling costs, improve order fulfillment, reduce storage, and enhance inventory visibility. A robust labeling system is important for an efficient warehouse. Using accurate and consistent labeling helps to identify products, streamline tracking, reduce errors, improve visibility, and enhance product safety and compliance.

Using warehouse management software like Timly can help streamline inventory and operations management. It helps to provide inventory tracking and management, integration with other systems and platforms, and data analytics to help provide insights. Overall, it helps to streamline inventory and operations management.

Timly Asset Management Software GDPR
Timly Asset Management Software Secure Hosting
Timly Asset Management Software SSL Encrypted

How to Improve Storage Management With an Organized Warehouse

In order to improve storage management with an organized warehouse, it is important that space utilization is determined. That is, you will need to measure the current space utilization and identify room for improvement. Let us look at some methods:

Calculate the total square footage of the warehouse, measure the volume of each item in the warehouse, calculate the size of each storage slot, calculate the size of each slot, and then determine the percentage of space that can be used in the warehouse by dividing the total storage space with the total warehouse space.

What Is the Best Way to Organize a Warehouse for Maintenance and Efficiency?

The best way to organize a warehouse is by considering how the new system will enable efficient operations and streamlined maintenance. It is important to ensure that space is organized so that operations run smoothly, and that the potential for errors and waste is minimized. Let us look at some best practices:

  • It is important that the warehouse is kept clean for a safe and secure work environment. This also prevents damage to equipment and production and improves overall efficiency.
  • Regular inspections help identify potential issues before they become a major concern concurrently, ensuring compliance and safety.
  • In order to enable an efficient receiving process, it is important to ensure that the specific area for receiving and unloading items is not congested.
  • Ensure that there is a clear and organized system to track and store items.
  • Use barcode scanners or RFID tags to streamline receiving while reducing errors.
  • Provide training to staff so that they can inspect items and report if there are any damages.

Get Started Now – With Digital Asset Tracking Software!

(No credit card required)

Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Warehouse Organization’

How to Manage a Warehouse Organization?

Warehouse organization is crucial for ensuring smooth inventory management, shipping, and item delivery. A well-managed warehouse facilitates faster and more accurate inventory management, reduces the risk of accidents and injuries, promotes efficiency in the work environment, minimizes waste and product damage, and lowers labor costs, ultimately streamlining processes and saving costs.

What Are the Best Warehouse Organization Methods?

The best warehouse organization methods maintain an environment that is efficient, safe, and productive. Good practices include: pallet racking systems, wire containers, ergonomic equipment, and recycling practices.

The Inventory Software for Your Success

A wide range of intelligent functions allows you to easily manage your entire company’s inventory. Try Timly asset tracking software now for free and see how easy it is to save time and resources.

Manage All Assets

Whether IT resources, tools, machines, vehicle fleet, furniture or contracts: everything in Timly.

Mobile Available Everywhere

Localise your assets with the integrated barcode scanner for smartphones & tablets.

Clever Assignment

Easily assign assets to people, projects, rooms, locations or external service providers.

n
Digital File Management

Digitally store important information, files, documents, audit trails & contacts for your assets.

GPS Recording

Save the exact GPS location of your assets with one scan. All GPS data historically verifiable.

Maintenance Management

Documentation of repairs & maintenance at the asset location, as well as deadline management.

Recommended for You:

Timly 2024 Rebranding Reveal 4

Timly 2024 Rebranding Reveal

This year marks Timly's fourth anniversary, and what better way to start a new and exciting chapter than refreshing our brand to reflect our DNA and bold vision for the future? Join us as we unveil our new bran...

Jun 25, 2024

manage-it-assets-with-timly-software-intro-image

How to Optimise and Manage IT Assets

This article explores how you can optimise and manage IT assets with smart software tools. Find out how to get the most of your IT equipment and increase your ROI, how to improve your maintenance processes and ...

Dec 15, 2023

Timly perpetual inventory system intro image

Perpetual Inventory System : Advantages and Disadvantages

A perpetual inventory system simplifies and enhances the accuracy of the often challenging annual stocktaking process. This piece looks at its pros and cons, highlighting the indispensable role of cloud solutio...

Dec 14, 2023

Inventory Management Software

Best Inventory Management Software: Must-Have Features

Explore how to make inventory management software part of your business's digital transformation. Includes a brief guide on the best must-have features of inventory software, its many applications and benefits,...

Dec 10, 2023

Timly CMMS Software Intro Image

What is CMMS and Does Your Business Need CMMS Software

Explore how CMMS software solutions help you keep an inventory of all of your company’s assets - digital or physical - and keep on top of maintenance schedules and logs. Includes a brief buying guide.

Nov 28, 2023

GPS Software Asset Tracking Timly Intro Image

GPS Software and Its Use in Asset Tracking

GPS asset tracking ensures quick access to vital business equipment, streamlines processes and dramatically cuts down on theft and loss. The result? Significant cost savings and smoother operations.

Nov 21, 2023

Software Maintenance with Timly Intro Image

Software Maintenance: Strategies and Best Practices

An effective 360° software maintenance system is critical for protecting your business and ensuring legal compliance. Explore the strategies and best practices for implementing the right system.

Nov 13, 2023

Health and Safety Documentation Timly Intro Image

Health and Safety Documentation: What You Need to Know

For any business in the UK with more than five employees, it's essential to have in place a comprehensive set of workplace health and safety documentation. By keeping these documents in a designated health and ...

Oct 27, 2023

Timly-Lansweeper-API-Integration-Intro-Image

The Journey Continues: Timly Welcomes Lansweeper on Board

We are thrilled to unveil our newest partnership with Lansweeper, a market leader in automated IT inventory and network management. This collaboration bolsters Timly's 360° asset management solution, offering ...

Oct 11, 2023

Timly Maintenance Tracker Intro Image

Timly’s Digital Maintenance Tracker: Always Available

A smart maintenance tracker is primarily used to document the maintenance measures carried out on machines and plants in companies. It is thus one of numerous necessary measures in tool and machine management.

Oct 3, 2023

EHS Management Software Timly in action Intro Image

Benefits of an Intuitive EHS Management Software

Occupational safety and health management is an important step in companies. Smart EHS management software makes it easier to keep track of all necessary regulations, safety checks, and inspection dates.

Sep 8, 2023

Mobile Device Management with Timly Intro Image

Restructure Mobile Device Management With Software

Mobile device management is more complex than it might seem at first glance. At the same time, it is becoming more and more important, as smartphones and tablets now occupy a key position in corporate communica...

Sep 8, 2023

Barcode Warehouse Management with Timly Intro Image

Using Barcode Warehouse Management System With Smart App

Using a barcode warehouse management system initially sounds like a small, possibly incidental detail. On closer inspection, a barcode system with the right software creates important conditions for making work...

Sep 4, 2023

Tool Management Solution Timly Intro Image

Tool Management Solution: Software Ensures Order

Finding the right tool management is an important topic in trade and industry. If necessary tools are not available, this usually has unpleasant consequences. Work processes come to a standstill, deadlines are ...

Aug 22, 2023

Simple Stock Management Intro Image

Implement Simple Stock Management With Timly

Simple stock management is one of the most important prerequisites for effective work processes in companies. Consumables and working materials must always be available in sufficient quantities to be able to fu...

Aug 22, 2023

Software Licence Management with Timly Intro Image

Effective Software Licence Management With Timly

Software licence management is increasingly becoming a challenge in IT departments. Many manufacturers of commercial software are moving away from the model of lifetime licences that can be purchased once and t...

Aug 4, 2023

Supply Management with Timly Intro Image

Organize Supply Management Easily – With Timly

A functioning supply management is of enormous importance in modern companies in order to carry out cost calculations and inventory management. This helps companies save money and time.

Jul 25, 2023

Tool Maintenance Software done by workers on laptop

Simplify Your Life With Tool Maintenance Software

Using specialised tool maintenance software solves a handful of familiar problems in many companies. These include requirements such as personal allocation to employees, scheduling maintenance and inspection ap...

May 19, 2023

Timly App Inventory Management shown by two people using computers

App Inventory Management: Maintaining Permanent Control

App inventory management is a logical step towards practicality and user-friendliness. Employees are used to receiving necessary information via a smartphone from their private environment. Most people carry th...

May 16, 2023

Cloud-Based Inventory Management Timly Intro Image Blog

Cloud Based Inventory Management: Easy & Smart With Timly

Cloud-based inventory management is increasingly becoming the standard in companies of all sizes and in all sectors of the economy. The obligation to draw up the entire inventory of the business and to update t...

May 16, 2023

Maintenance Planning on Site with Timly

Professional Maintenance Planning With Timly

Maintenance planning is an important topic in industry and trade. Machines and tools must be in working order. Breakdowns cost time, cause stress and ultimately lead to costs. Clever maintenance management not ...

Apr 21, 2023

Employee checks stock levels with warehouse management system via app

Creating a Smart Warehouse Management System With Timly

Increasingly, a dynamic warehouse management system is replacing the classic warehousing that was common in many companies for decades. There, the warehouse foreman had sole responsibility for incoming and outg...

Mar 23, 2023

CMMS - With Timly on the Way to Maintenance 4.0 17

CMMS – With Timly on the Way to Maintenance 4.0

Truly effective maintenance management (CMMS) can only be implemented with software specifically designed for this purpose. Modern inventory solutions such as Timly follow the holistic approach. With consistent...

Mar 21, 2023

Making Inventory Simple With Software 23

Making Inventory Simple With Software

Conscious use of resources offers real added value for companies. While cost factors have already been optimised in many areas, there is often still potential for savings in inventory management. Last but not l...

Feb 17, 2023

Testing and Marking of Portable Equipment 24

Testing and Marking of Portable Equipment

They are used in every business and are considered indispensable tools - we are talking about portable electrical equipment. However, due to their versatile areas of application, they also have decisive disadva...

Feb 16, 2023

Innovative Inventory Software With Barcode Scanner 25

Innovative Inventory Software With Barcode Scanner

Each type of inventory has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, however, all are labour-intensive and have the potential to disrupt business operations. Timly has addressed this problem by integrating ...

Feb 14, 2023

Innovative Self-Inventory for the Home Office 26

Innovative Self-Inventory for the Home Office

If employees are no longer regularly in the office, it is more difficult to keep track of the materials and equipment. Previous inventory procedures are often no longer adequate now, due to manual counting proc...

Feb 8, 2023

Safety Officer Tasks: Management by Software 30

Safety Officer Tasks: Management by Software

The safety officer tasks are diverse, regardless of whether a company speaks of an EHS manager, safety master or specialist for occupational safety. Keeping an eye on all devices, machines and systems as well a...

Dec 7, 2022

Safe use of ladders with Timly

Safe Use of Ladders: The Digital Checklist

Ladders and steps are everyday and important auxiliary objects and work equipment in many other companies. However, they are usually in heavy use, so that wear and damage are difficult to avoid. Regular ladder ...

Nov 9, 2022

Timly's maintenance app in use at a construction site

What A Good Maintenance App Can Do

Many companies only realise that maintenance software is needed when it is too late: an important order is due, but the relevant machine suddenly makes suspicious noises. An official letter announces that inspe...

Nov 4, 2022

Inventory software IT on a screen

Inventory Software: Effectively Manage IT Assets

In this blog post, we would like to show you how you can best manage IT inventory of all kinds with inventory software. Whether in the office, in the warehouse or in the field... you encounter it everywhere. We...

Nov 4, 2022

IT inventory Excel on a laptop

IT Inventory: Excel as a Useful Solution?

You want to get away from device management with paper lists or magnetic boards? Or do you not yet have a structured and documented overview of your hardware and software? - Then an IT inventory Excel may seem ...

Nov 4, 2022

IT inventory software by Timly

IT Inventory: Software to Manage Your IT Equipment

In order to find software for the increasingly complex IT inventory, many companies ask themselves questions such as "Is there an inventory programme that employees with Windows and Linux can use equally?" or "...

Nov 4, 2022

Tool management with Timly

Timly Tool Software – As Professional as Your Company

Especially in industry and trade, companies need an almost unmanageable number of tools and machines. This is made more difficult by the fact that the work equipment is used at different locations and by changi...

Nov 3, 2022

Inventory database in inventory software

The Advantages of an Inventory Database

Deadlines, equipment locations, statistics and other inventory data are always in demand. But where is the best place to keep a company's object data? - In an inventory software. The heart of such software is t...

Nov 3, 2022

Deadline management with Timly software

Deadline Management With Software: Everything at a Glance

Deadline management is a real challenge in modern companies, as it is difficult to keep track of which tools are in use. Thanks to Timly's software employees have a good overview over their tools and certificat...

Nov 3, 2022

Tool maintenance with Timly Software

Tool Maintenance With Smart Software

Managing tools and machines in a construction company requires a good overview and, above all, time. But with a software for tool maintenance, this is very uncomplicated and fast. Everything is recorded digital...

Nov 1, 2022

IT documentation made easy with Timly

IT Documentation With Modern Inventory Software

IT documentation ensures that increasingly scarce and expensive IT resources are used effectively. This does not mean network plans in which IP addresses, network names and address spaces are documented. Rather...

Oct 31, 2022

Ladder regulations easily managed with Timly

Ladder Regulations – Keeping Track of Current Rules

Movable work equipment such as steps and ladders have a high accident risk, so companies are obliged to check them regularly. Ladder inspections must be correctly documented not only where the German statutory ...

Oct 26, 2022

Create an inventory for your company assets

Create an Inventory: Easy With the Right Software

Modern inventory software can create an inventory practically all year round. It ensures that there is an overview of material inventory goods at all times in an efficient manner. It also manages inspection and...

Oct 21, 2022

Digitally Manage Inventory in Schools with Timly Software 31

Digitally Manage Inventory in Schools with Timly Software

After the application process, many administrators or headmasters realise that with new equipment, networks, licences and contracts come expanded management needs. So it takes a good management strategy to keep...

Oct 21, 2022

Maintenance software free in use at a company

Maintenance Software: Free Versions Available?

There is a cross-industry problem that can lead to safety risks and financial losses: The inefficient management of maintenance and inspection schedules. Complex inventory, such as machinery or equipment, can b...

Oct 20, 2022

Inventory number for efficient asset management

What Is an Inventory Number?

The inventory number is small and inconspicuous, but it is very important. Without it, a lot can quickly go wrong because it ensures order and traceability. For example, if you find a piece of equipment in the ...

Oct 19, 2022