Barcoded Inventory Tracking Software

With Barcode-based warehouse management software, GraniteWMS, a mining company can manage stock efficiently by identifying the pain points that are occurring around manual processes and how they could be streamlined. Available for clients in Africa through Cradle Technology Services, it is the perfect system for any company that needs an end-to-end view of their stock, around every action taken.

Within any mining company, two of the main business concerns will always be minimising downtime and ensuring safety. One of the key ways mines address these concerns is to invest in new technology that will enable more efficient and safer processes.  For example, the proper tracking of replacement parts, equipment, and emergency supplies in an onsite store can have a huge impact on both efficiency and safety, and is a key area where mines should explore new ways of managing, given its relevance in operations.

Conventional methods fall short

Using conventional methods of tracking inventory may fall short in an environment where minimising process downtime and ensuring safety is the urgent objective, states Craig Collins, the Chief Executive Office of GraniteWMS expounding the two scenarios.

First, he draws attention to the impact of poor tracking on downtime. “Anything that prolongs downtime can have a serious effect on the productivity and profitability of a mine. When a spare part or piece of equipment is needed, if something breaks and needs to be replaced, or specific tools are needed to complete a task, there cannot be any delays or barriers to accessing that equipment.”

Furthermore, poor tracking can have huge implications on safety, especially, if there is an emergency and specific equipment is needed to take action and ensure workers safety, that equipment needs to be available easily.

This can cause a problem for mine stores where this equipment is kept, Collins points out. “The mine needs to keep an accurate record of what is in the store, and who removed it for what reason. But in an emergency, there is not time to go through a lengthy approval process to release the equipment for use. This leads to items being taken without any approval or tracking. If the usage is not properly recorded, it can be difficult to track stock levels or know what is needed.”

Accurate tracking helps mines manage the challenge of stocking. Typically, there are long lead times required for mines to source specialised equipment in very remote and inaccessible locations. This means it can be months between the ordering and receiving of stock.

If there is no accurate tracking of what is being used and how frequently, it becomes more difficult to restock. In that case, a mine can face a challenge of two extremes: a large risk of either overstocking unnecessarily and risking the items going unused to the point of becoming obsolete, or understocking and running out of critical supplies in a moment of need, with no way to source replacements quickly.

Barcode-based warehouse management software

A barcode-based warehouse management software, like GraniteWMS, addresses this challenge. The Granite Warehouse Management System is a software designed to deliver a flexible and efficient system to businesses in need of a standardised barcode-based inventory tracking solution.

Collins references positive feedback from mining clients who utilise the system. “By implementing GraniteWMS in their store system our mining clients have found that they are able to solve these problems experienced with conventional inventory tracking. A barcode-based inventory management system enables simple and accurate stock tracking with end-to-end traceability. They can regain control of their inventory without implementing onerous request and approval processes,” Collins relates.

A host of benefits

Specifically, there are a host of benefits for clients who use GraniteWMS.

• Accountability

GraniteWMS gives the certainty of emergency stock being always on hand. It can be used to set up a simple and efficient process for the emergency issuing of stock. For instance, if a shaft has a problem, which needs to be fixed quickly, a spare part can easily be sourced and issued. In this scenario, GraniteWMS addresses the common challenge of accountability.

In a setup where the requesting or approval for the stock takes too long, the emergency will always justify taking the stock immediately and working out the paperwork later. This can lead to an administrative nightmare, resulting in inaccurate stock counts, lost stock, and unforeseen stock shortages.

With GraniteWMS, the stock can easily be scanned out of the store, when it is needed, and a record of the transaction, including the time/day, the user, and the number of items. This enables easy reconciliation and accountability after the emergency has been dealt with.

• Managing and optimising stock levels

As mines are in remote areas that are not easily accessible by traditional logistics, there is a long lead time and high cost for any inventory that is needed. It is therefore very important to know when stock levels are low, as restocking can take several months.

GraniteWMS assists with managing and optimising the stock levels in the emergency stores to tackle this challenge.  By using GraniteWMS to track the stock levels it is possible to ensure that replacements are sources before they run out.

Better planning and reduced overstocking

Besides providing an accurate view of the flow of stock, GraniteWMS can help with issues that result from overstocking. Because of the long lead times, overstocking is common out of an abundance of caution. However, this does result in large holding of often very high value stock that can become obsolete before it ever has a chance to be used.

Conveniently, GraniteWMS can give you an accurate view of not only current stock levels, but the overall rate of stock usage, allowing for better planning and reduced overstocking.

• Correct identification of items

When working with complex pieces of machinery and equipment, it can be difficult to correctly identify them all just by sight. This is often a skill that is concentrated in a few key employees, and even then, is prone to mistakes. In an emergency, grabbing the wrong tool or replacement part can cause increased risk and extended delays.

This is an area where GraniteWMS fills the void, with the correct identification of items. With GraniteWMS, every item has an identifying barcode. By scanning the barcode, the item can be easily identified and matched to the request.

Adoption a no-brainer

Taking into consideration the inherent limitations of conventional inventory tracking, and the constant drive for efficiency in mining, the adoption of barcode inventory tracking is a no-brainer, Collins infers. “While barcodes are an old and well-established technology, they are not always leveraged to their full effect. It has been consistently established that, when put at the centre of inventory management, barcode scanning can drive greater accuracy and efficiency in item and quantity especially when managing supply chains.”

When every process or transaction is scanned into a central system, it is easier to keep track of stock, avoid losses, and manage inventory levels. This is especially true when dealing with longer or more complex supply chains or more remote areas with less reliable or consistent access to goods and services.

More importantly, barcode-based transactions can eliminate manual paperwork and greatly reduce mistakes, thereby ensuring accuracy in item and quantity. Thus, with an accurate view of inventory, it is easier to maintain stock levels and forecast demand.

In a nutshell, Collins affirms: “Barcode inventory management gives you a full overview of your stock, so that you always know what is happening, what items are available, and in what quantity.”

Lastly, he recommends GraniteWMS to mining companies in Africa. “With GraniteWMS, a mining company can manage stock efficiently by identifying the pain points that are occurring around manual processes and how they could be streamlined. The simple interface, flexible functionality, and easy set-up make it a perfect system for any company that needs an end-to-end view of their stock, around every action taken.”