As we remember, warehousing is an integral part of the logistics system. It constitutes a major element of the logistics network and, together with its other elements, creates the capability to meet specific customer requirements. In a warehouse, just as in other elements of the logistics system, special attention is paid to the efficiency of material handling operations, but equally special attention is given to the costs of its operation. In order to meet the basic goals of logistics, warehouse management requires consideration of: the labor intensity of warehouse operations, the designed storage space, and the necessary technical equipment. The principles of warehouse operation, regardless of the impact of IT on logistics, cover three levels: strategic, tactical, and operational. At the strategic level, general warehouse space requirements are determined based on available market information and the organization’s operating strategies. The tactical level specifies the location of material inventory along with market segmentation and the alignment of facilities with supply sources, manufacturer locations, and customers according to selected criteria of importance. On the other hand, the operational level is directly associated with the warehouse management cycle, storage methods, equipment selection, hardware selection, labor force staffing needs, as well as budgeting and cost calculation. The decision-making aspects presented above should not be implemented ad hoc; they should be undertaken on the basis of a warehouse analysis, as a result of which the following picture of the situation should be obtained, which should be included in the IT project:
- the warehousing process involves a uniquely identifiable set of logistic units
- each logistic unit has a set of uniquely identifiable subordinate units assigned to it
- the assignment of personal responsibility for the activities carried out has been defined
- it is possible to store the same logistic unit in different warehouse locations
- there are physical, uniquely defined locations where logistic units are stored (areas, spaces, bays, storage locations)
- the rules for picking logistic units have been specified
- it is possible to conduct continuous inventory counts resulting from the applied automatic identification system