Inventory Management Equipment and Supplies Key Terms

Learn the terms that can help you keep your inventory under control

Inventory management equipment and supplies include a wide range of items, from complex automated systems to simple paper labels. Make sure that you and your team are knowledgeable about the following inventory management equipment and supplies: pallets, compliance labels, pallet inverter, pick-to-light system, programmable logic controller (PLC) and RFID. Having a basic knowledge of these terms will help you make the right choices for you business.

 

Pallets

Pallets are an important component of most warehouse inventory management systems. Pallets are portable platforms (generally made of wood) that are used to transport inventory via a forklift.
Try: Learn more about pallets and their important features at the Inventory Operations Consulting website.

Compliance labels

Compliance labels are paper labels that use standards set by a group of shipping partners. For inventory management purposes, compliance labels often contain bar codes and are used to track pallets, containers and shipments.
Try: T.L. Ashford discusses the importance of compliance labels in inventory management.

Pallet inverter

A pallet inverter is a machine that employs the use of clamps to grasp and move, or invert, a pallet. Pallet inverters are helpful in inspecting damaged or fragile shipments.
Try: Learn all about the uses of pallet inverters through a description, illustration, spec sheets and a demonstration video at Southworth.

Pick-to-light system

A pick-to-light system uses LED readouts and light picking technology to streamline the order fulfillment picking process in a warehouse.
Try: Working Machines provides an explanation of a pick-to-light system.

Programmable logic controller (PLC)

A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a computer that is used to control automated systems. In warehouse management, a PLC uses scanned codes to track labeled inventory.
Try: Get the definition and a brief history of PLCs from Opto 22.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an important technological advance in the world of inventory management. An RFID tag uses radio waves to identify and track products, shipments and stored inventory. The two main types of RFID tags are active and passive. Active tags contain a battery that can transmit a signal by themselves, while passive tags require the use of an external device to transmit a signal.
Try: SkyeTek provides an in-depth look at the importance of RFID technology to efficient inventory management.

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