Warehouse management involves four core functions: Receive, Move, Pick and despatch and are most efficiently done using barcodes, PDAS and wireless scanners. When goods are received they are logged and a barcode is generated as a backup in case the package barcode is not recognised. The goods are then moved from the receiving area to their bin location and the new location is recorded with the PDA. On despatch the goods are scanned again, removing them from theoretical stock and thus a permanent upto date inventory is maintained. Integral barcode label printing enables fast replacement of label or the addition of an internal stock code in barcode format.
The choice of hardware for warehouse management applcations depends on the layout of the warehouse. For scanning items close to a workstation PC a tethered ,wireless or bluetooth scanner can be used. Where it is not possible to work close to the PC then PDAs are used . For most cases barcodes are the right labelling solution but for some products or serial numbered items then RFID scanners are often preferred
