Appliances and Tools | NetSuite Industries

Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges

The appliances and tools industry faces immense pressure to maintain operational efficiency while meeting time-sensitive demands from contractors, big box retailers, and individual consumers. With current challenges including dynamic inventory, high churn rates, and labor shortages, many companies in this sector still rely on manual, paper-based processes, often leading to human errors, slow operations and high labor costs.

In an industry where accuracy and speed are essential to remaining competitive, automating processes that support labor management and space utilization can be the key to achieving supply chain success.

appliances and tools

Less Paper, More Efficiency

Errors caused by manual processes can be detrimental to the overall health of a company in this sector. A simple mistake, like entering the wrong product serial number or forgetting an item’s location, can lead to production delays, inventory inaccuracies, and costly resolutions. Replacing manual processes with an automated software like RF-SMART can eliminate these supply chain challenges.

Companies in the appliances and tools sector can incorporate workflow automation by:

Implementing a barcode scanning solution to improve real-time visibility

Adopting an Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS) for maximum space efficiency and eliminate non-value-added tasks

Using a warehouse management system (WMS) for multi-channel inventory visibility

The Power of Automation

RF-SMART’s WMS for NetSuite provides real-time tracking and automated data collection through barcode scanning, significantly reducing human errors. This system ensures accurate inventory counts and locations, improving order fulfillment accuracy and speed. Advances Distribution also allows managers to assign tasks, monitor performance, and optimize picking routes via mobile devices, boosting efficiency and reducing order processing times.

With a highly dynamic inventory - ranging from small tools to large appliances - automating space utilization is essential to maintaining operational efficiency and inventory accuracy. RF-SMART's Material Handling Automation Connector for ASRS is a goods-to-person technology that maximizes vertical space utilization and dramatically reduces labor costs while ensuring consistent performance. Companies in the appliances and tools sector can benefit from integrating an ASRS solution like a Vertical Lift Module (VLM), as this technology allows users to store small parts, tools, and pallets on vertically arranged trays and shelves, optimizing warehouse layouts.

This system can:

Increase picking velocity

Improve inventory accuracy

Decrease labor demands

Minimize unproductive warehouse travel time

How NewAir Maximized Operational Efficiency with RF-SMART

“Using RF-SMART, we have a better understanding of our inventory and control of it.
We have more inventory visibility, which helps with decision making”

Challenges

NewAir, a manufacturer and distributor of small household appliances, faced inventory visibility issues and inefficient warehouse processes. Their initial WMS solution proved inadequate, causing slow order processing and frustration among warehouse staff. The company lacked proper inventory control, affecting multiple supply chain processes.

Solution

NewAir implemented RF-SMART's WMS solution, which provided user-friendly interfaces, improved inventory tracking, and enhanced operational visibility. The solution enabled efficient cycle counting and streamlined warehouse organization through proper product location management.