Wednesday, November 01, 2017
There’s an awful lot of warehouse storage options out there these days, but when you boil it down, most of them can be placed into one of two categories: static storage vs. flow storage. Static storage (not to be confused with the similar computer programming term) consists of the more ‘traditional’ storage methods such as wire shelving or pallet racks; you know, storage that doesn’t let the products move around. Conversely, flow storage includes things like gravity flow racks that allow movement of products on the shelves themselves. Which is better? Well, that depends on what you need to store and why. Each storage method has their pros and cons and may serve different needs in different warehouses – here’s a few to get you started: Static StorageStatic storage is any kind of storage that keeps the products stationary after they’ve been loaded in. Perhaps the most commonly seen kind of storage in warehouses, static storage can be adapted for use with a wide range of products and can fulfill many common storage needs, although retrieval and product circulation tends to be more difficult due to its design.
Cons:
Flow StorageFlow storage, true to its name, is any storage solution that integrates a moving component. By providing a gravity conveyor to allow fast migration of pallets and crates from one point in the warehouse to another, these storage solutions can provide faster access to products and help improve movement throughout the warehouse.
Cons:
So which is better? That’s entirely up to you, your workforce, and your warehouse! There’s no right or wrong answer, you just need to see which can benefit your processes better. |