Paper cards and manual counts can only take warehouse control so far. Once barcode scanning, RFID, IoT sensors and a proper Warehouse Management System enter the picture, the same warehouse can track every item in real time, catch discrepancies before they become losses, and free staff from repetitive manual checks.

This course walks participants through that shift — from the fundamentals of why inventory is held and how warehouse management fits into the wider organisation, to the practical work of choosing an inventory control policy, running cycle counts, and rolling out electronic systems that keep stock data accurate and up to date.

Course Objectives

• Explain the reasons and importance of the storage function and how it relates to other departments.
• Balance material management with asset management inside the warehouse.
• Choose and apply an appropriate inventory control policy for the organisation.
• Identify the factors that influence where warehouse management sits within the organisational structure.
• Take practical steps to reduce stagnant stock.
• Apply the latest computer applications and electronic systems in warehouse management.

Who Should Attend?

• Managers of institutions and companies.
• Warehouse staff and storekeepers.
• Business owners seeking experience in warehouse management.
• Graduates of business administration faculties.

Module 1: Why Warehouses Exist and How They Fit the Organisation

• Definition and evolution of warehouse management.
• Reasons for holding inventory and for warehouse management's existence.
• Factors affecting the location and importance of storage within the organisational structure.

Module 2: Warehouses Across Different Types of Organisations

• The nature of warehouses in service organisations.
• The nature of warehouses in production organisations.
• Modern technical methods used in warehouse management.

Module 3: Choosing an Inventory Control Policy

• Fixed reorder point with continuous review.
• Periodic and optional replenishment policies.
• Periodic fixed-quantity ordering, and how to choose the right policy.

Module 4: Counting Stock and Catching Stagnation Early

• Inventory counting procedures.
• Criteria and reasons for considering an item stagnant.
• Methods and procedures for disposing of stagnant items, and the theory of constraints in inventory.

Module 5: Electronic Inventory Control Systems

• Overview of electronic inventory control systems and their components.
• Barcode scanning, RFID technology and IoT integration.
• Best practices for implementing electronic inventory tracking.

Module 6: Warehouse Management Systems and Automation

• Overview of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and their benefits.
• Steps to select, implement and operate a WMS.
• Leveraging automation and data analytics for real-time inventory monitoring.

Module 7: Keeping Control Accurate and Compliant

• Cycle counting, perpetual inventory and just-in-time practices.
• Generating and analysing inventory reports for better decisions.
• Managing risks and ensuring compliance in electronic inventory systems.