Ten Tips for Finding the Best Storage Solutions for Your Business
It doesn't matter what type of business you run - if you’re selling physical products, you need storage. There really isn't a way around that unless you’re dropshipping with another business, but if you are in charge of creating something for your business, you need to be on top of the inventory and that means making sure that your products are well-maintained and protected. For that to be the case, you need the best possible storage solutions for your business. Are you ready to learn how to do that?
Research safe product storage
Your products have to be stored safely, first and foremost, but that doesn't always mean in boxes or stacked up on shelving. In fact, safe storage can often mean that you’re using temperature controlled units or the right protective packaging so that you’re not risking your products being ruined. Safe product storage means that whatever you’re creating, you are putting it in a place that maintains its quality no matter what. Medical equipment and medicines, for example, require different storage needs than wooden furniture.
Consider your space and layout needs
When you’re choosing the right storage solution for your business, you have to evaluate the space and layout you currently have vs what you need. If you’re renting a warehouse space, or you’re working from your home office, understanding your storage dimensions will help you to find the right solutions. For instance, tall units and pallet racks can help you to maximise vertical space. Compact storage like stackable bins, on the other hand, can help you to maximise every inch. When you plan the layout of your storage area in advance, you’ll create a more efficient storage flow so that everything has a space.
Accessibility is critical
As a business owner, getting to your products is important so that they can be readied for shipping. Accessibility is critical when you’re choosing your new storage system because it’ll affect how fast you can retrieve products when you need to. Think about how you can access your stored items and whether you can get there at all times of the day. If you have less frequent storage needs, closed cabinets or bins may be appropriate for your products. Accessibility has to also include safety considerations, such as aisles that are wide enough for your team to move through, and get around equipment without injury.
Choose shelving systems that make sense.
The type of racking and shelving systems you choose very much depend on the size and weight of your products. For heavier items, industrial-grade shelving or pallet racks are ideal as they can work to support larger loads. For lighter items, modular shelving and wire racks are better choices. Adjustable systems in shelving can offer better flexibility and can be modified as needed. You should also consider whether the shelves or racks are expandable, stackable and adjustable to suit your growing needs. This allows you to scale solutions as your business grows.
Integrate inventory management
Good storage solutions should always integrate well with your existing inventory management systems. Whether you have a manual or digital tracking system, you need your storage solutions to maintain an accurate count of your products. This will improve ordering, ensuring less wastage and reduces the likelihood of misplaced or lost items. Think about implementing something that tracks your stock in real time, too, so that you have control over the products that you can reorder before they run out.
Look for scalability
We’ve mentioned this already but it’s always worth mentioning again. Your storage needs may change as your business grows and that’s to be expected. However, if you don't plan for this you’re going to have to look for new storage all over again. Finding a storage solution that works for you today is great but it has to also work for you a year from now, or at least have the capacity to adjust. You need something with easy configuration that can keep up with your business needs and that will help you to grow in the right way.
Lean into technology
Modern storage solutions often come with different bells and whistles and technology is one very loud bell! You need integrated technology to help improve efficiency and automated systems are always better for businesses with larger volumes of products. This is the software that can retrieve and sort items more easily and software that integrates with your inventory system can help you to track storage space utilisation and optimise your storage setup. It’s always a good idea to leverage the technology that’ll help your specific business, so leaning into the tech you have available to you is a good idea.
Think about your impact on the environment
Sustainability is so important for your business, as it is for businesses in all industries. When you're thinking about storage solutions, think about the impact you’re going to have on the environment vs your business values. If you are running a business where you want to be green and lean, then embody that in your storage choices. You might look for shelving that is made from recycled materials or you might pick energy efficient lighting. You should consider what it is that you value by choosing sustainability and search for storage solutions that do that for you.
Look at security
Above most other things, you need your products to be secure wherever you store them, especially if the products are sensitive or medical in nature. If you handle anything high-value or sensitive items, you need lockable storage under high security. Think CCTV, smart locking systems and coded locks that are all necessary for keeping your items secure.
Consider the cost
The last thing to really think about is how much you need to budget for storage solutions. You may want to pick the cheapest options but it’s vital that you choose a balance between affordability and function. You need the right storage, not necessarily the cheapest and so it’s important that you invest in a solution that increases efficiency and saves you money along the way.