This is Part II of a two-part series. For Part I, click here.

A yard and dock management system provides facilities with increased visibility and productivity in their yard, loading dock and warehouse. Whether you need just a yard management system to provide real-time data using RFID and GPS tracking a dock management system to increase loading dock efficiency, or a fully integrated system combining both, a tailored yard and dock management system can give you the tools to make the most of your operations.

This easy-to-implement yard and dock management system acts as an extra set of eyes which allows you to keep more accurate track of your facility’s operations to save time and money and prevent spoilage or product loss.

Here are the next steps necessary to implement an effective yard and dock management system.

Take Control Inside the Warehouse

HVLS fans were designed to create a comfortable environment while maintaining an energy efficient facility and provide considerable benefits to employees and the products they are moving.  The blades of these HVLS fans produce a massive, column of air that flows down toward the floor and outward in all directions before drawing it back vertically toward the blades to create what is known as a horizontal floor jet. The breeze produced by these fans protects product integrity by circulating air to keep food and produce dry and fresh reducing spoilage. Moreover, when in reverse, HVLS fans can even help destratify air in refrigerated applications.

While these fans are a great addition to any operation, there are systems available to help keep up with the controls and settings when you have 10, 20 or 30 plus fans. Industrial Networked HVLS Fan Systems allow you to network and control multiple fans from a centralized location to ensure maximum fan performance is met to keep employees productive and perishables dry and fresh.

These can control fans collectively, individually or by zones within a facility. Built-in web view software can allow fans in multiple buildings to be managed from a single location. Fan operation can be programmed to react to date and time, temperature setting/variance and also interconnect to fire suppression systems providing increased peace of mind when it comes to keeping spoilage down during shipping and receiving.

Track, Measure, Change, Repeat

Proactive change on the loading dock and in your logistics operations is a proven method to help reduce bottlenecks and slowdowns associated with moving perishable products and materials. But how do you know what to change and when?

Yard and dock management systems do more than simply track and provide raw data to end users, the decision makers. Some develop detailed reports based on an almost unlimited set of parameters such as carrier arrival and departure times, loading and unloading times, and even labor hours. These reports provide you with the information you need to make important, timely decisions that can affect the productivity and ultimately the profitability of your operations.

Concerns about foodborne illnesses, allergens and contamination have never been more important as our nation’s food supply demands continue to grow. Equipping your manufacturing or distribution facility with an effective yard and dock management system will help ensure products stay fresh and are loaded and shipped to the consumer with great efficiency, greatly reducing the risk of spoilage or contamination.

No matter what type of products you are seeking to move quickly to reduce the potential for spoilage, integrating these advanced systems will help take your operation to the next level by optimizing your yard, loading dock and warehouse logistics. From the moment a trailer enters your yard to the time it leaves, you’ll know exactly where it is, what’s on it, where it needs to be and how to get it there as quickly as possible.

4SIGHT™ Yard and Dock Management System is the latest technology offering from 4Front Engineered Solutions. 4Front offers warehousing, manufacturing, retail and distribution center customers, participating in a variety of end markets, the most comprehensive line of highly engineered loading dock systems in the material handling industry.