How we cut handling cost per case half for Walmart, and User experience have a huge role in it
Apr 8, 2022
The problem was Huge warehouses and a slower process. most of the unloading counting and stocking were done manually by associates. Most processes had paper trail along with legacy on-site mainframe systems
Due to the increasing demand for faster and more efficient distribution, our organization needed to upgrade to high-speed and high-capacity automated distribution centers. The manual processes that were previously in place were no longer sufficient to meet the needs of our growing business.
Design brief
Our organization is moving to a high-speed automated warehouse, and we need a highly scalable system for our associates to interact with the next generation hardware in place. The current manual case management process just isn't going to cut it. It's not scalable and can cause all kinds of errors and ergonomic issues for our workers.
Understand user needs and business goals.
The ergonomically designed station will have space to induct two plastic totes, a touch screen terminal and facilities to scan and open cases. Mapping the physical world into a digital interface was a key consideration during the design process for the Warehouse Case Management System.
Goals
We want to improve warehouse productivity by reducing the amount of manual labor needed in the case management process.
Our aim is to increase the accuracy of case counting and minimize errors that may result from manual counting.
We also want to enhance the efficiency of the decanting process by reducing the need for manual handling and transferring of cases.
Ensure that the designs consider users who may not be proficient in English and that the interface is accessible and easy to use for all users.
My role
As the designer for the Warehouse Case Management System, I handled end-to-end design functions and created a touch-operated interface that streamlined the case management process, reduced manual labor, and improved warehouse productivity. My solution aligned with the company's goals and was instrumental in transitioning the company towards a high-speed automated warehouse.
increase the accuracy of case counting and minimize errors
Mapping the physical world into a digital interface was a key consideration during the design process for the Warehouse Case Management System. The two slots on the workbench are mapped into the left and right sides of the tote setup screen on the web app. The corresponding tote location will then be highlighted on the web app, making it easy for users to keep track of where cases are being placed.
Designing for users who may not be proficient in English
We also made sure that the interface was accessible to non-English speaking associates by utilizing iconography and designing with a clear visual hierarchy.
Implement and test
Testing of the Warehouse Case Management System in a closed environment was successful, demonstrating the system's ability to streamline case management and improve warehouse productivity.
Scalability and platform mindset
The Warehouse Case Management System was designed with a platform mindset, allowing for future expansion and adaptation to meet the changing needs of the business. This approach ensures that the system remains scalable and flexible as the company grows and evolves.
The accompanying applications were developed with minimal alteration to the existing framework that we designed, ensuring that the Warehouse Case Management System remains scalable and can easily adapt to meet the changing needs of the business in the future.
Launch and success
The Warehouse Case Management System was successfully piloted in a closed environment, demonstrating its ability to streamline case management and improve warehouse productivity. Based on the success of the pilot, the company made the decision to roll out the system to more locations, with plans for further expansion in the future.
Some of the news articles mentioning the same can be found here
Walmart Newsroom article
Tech crunch article
In conclusion, the Warehouse Case Management System has been a game-changer for our organization, streamlining case management, reducing manual labor, and improving warehouse productivity. By designing with scalability and platform mindset, we ensured that the system remains flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs of our business. We are proud of the success of the pilot and excited about the continued expansion of the system to more locations in the future.