20 Sessions (3 credits)
India is moving towards development of a competitive logistics and supply chain infrastructure to achieve its goals of increased multi-modal connectivity and reduced logistics costs for the country. Warehousing plays a significant role across industries as storage points within the supply chain have multi-faceted functions and responsibilities ranging from consolidation, sortation, storage to break bulk and providing platforms for multiple industries and transportation services to connect and ensure the flow of goods to the right place at the right time. Increasing domestic consumption and export orientation of the economy necessitates the requirement of world-class infrastructure for the warehousing industry as it transforms itself from the traditional “godown” era to an era of tech-enabled infrastructure and unique e-business models. This course explores fundamental aspects of warehousing before delving into the role of analytics, technology and automation for the industry.
Mid-level/Senior-level managers
Warehousing Industry, Logistics & Supply Chain Management Industry, 3PL/4PL industry, IT/Electronics Industry
- To provide an overview of the role of warehousing in the digital business era, across a wide variety of industries
- To demonstrate and explain the application of various data analytics tools and decision support systems for managing warehouse operations, planning and execution of activities
- To provide an overview of recent trends and opportunities for the implementation of technology and automation to enhance productivity levels of warehouse operations
Lectures, Case Studies, Videos, Modeling, Hands-on Sessions
- Understand the role of warehousing at different nodes within the supply chain and its relationship with the nature of the products and industry sector
- Apply data analytics tools and techniques to solve a variety warehouse design and operations problems
- Understand the role of different and upcoming technologies in warehousing
- Analyze how technology and automation can provide opportunities for productivity enhancement, financial benefits and competitiveness to the manufacturing and logistics sector
- Bartholdi, John J., and Steven T. Hackman. Warehouse & Distribution Science: Release 0.89. Atlanta: Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, 2008.
- De Koster, René BM, Andrew L. Johnson, and Debjit Roy. "Warehouse design and management." International Journal of Production Research 55.21 (2017): 6327-6330.
- de Koster, René. "Warehousing 2030." Global logistics and supply chain strategies for the 2020s: Vital skills for the next generation (2022): 243-260.
- Wallenburg, C.M., Knemeyer, A.M. (2023). The Future of 3PLs. In: Merkert, R., Hoberg, K. (eds) Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies for the 2020s. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95764-3_7
| Session | Topic | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Role of Warehousing in Logistics & SCM - Types of storage locations: warehouse, linefeed stores, factory stores, crossdocks, dark stores, fulfillment centres, distribution centres, regional warehouses, etc. Warehousing in Logistics Parks, MMLPs |
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| 2 | Introduction to Warehouse Design & Operations (Receiving, QA, Putaway, Decanting, Storage, Pickface Replenishment, Picking, Staging, Despatch) and comparison across sectors (Ecommerce, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, FMCG, Apparel, Express Delivery) | |
| 3 | Regulations in Warehouse Design and Operations – A/B/C Grading, Documentation, Process Guidelines |
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| 4 | Warehouse Sizing through Aggregate Planning (without Product Mix Considerations) |
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| 5 | Warehouse Sizing with Product Mix Considerations |
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| 6 | Warehouse Performance Measurement & Management – Metrics (Lines/order, cartons/hour) and their Measurement (time & motion studies), Heat Maps & Dashboards |
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| 7 | Stock Storage Location Allocation using AI/ML |
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| 8 | Batching, Zoning, Slotting and Bundling Operations using AI/ML | |
| 9 | Parts to Picker Vs Picker to Parts Systems | |
| 10 | Manpower Scheduling & Rostering in Warehouse Operations |
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| 11 | Dock Scheduling in Warehouse Operations | |
| 12 | Technology & Automation in Warehouse Operations: Storage & Material Handling: Pallets, Racks, Drive Through Racks, ASRS |
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| 13 | Technology & Automation in Storage & Material Handling: Forklifts, Turret Trucks, Robotic Arms, AGVs, Conveyors | |
| 14 | Technology & Automation in Storage & Material Handling: Dock Levelling, Automated Gates, Vertical Storage Systems | |
| 15 | Technology & Automation in Inventory Tracking & Location: Track & Trace, Pick/Put to Light, Drones, IOT for Warehousing, Control Towers | |
| 16 | Cold Storage Systems - Reefer Containers, Vaccine Storage Systems, Monitoring & Control, Maintenance |
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| 17 | Technology Costing & Investment Decisions |
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| 18 | Technology Selection Problems | |
| 19 | Information Systems for Warehousing: WMS & WES | |
| 20 | Integration with ERP, TMS, OMS and other information systems in the supply chain |