Logistics Center who is good or not?

 Often listen to people talk, who's logistics center is good, who's logistics center is not good. But listen carefully, but no means. The lack of an evaluation of the logistics industry within the system, and no authority of the people willing to go to muddy water. Therefore, what is a good logistics center, more of a civil discussion, some just talking to themselves, when not true.

There are also many times I was asked this question, I can not answer the truth, the reason half of ignorance, half is polite. Ignorance is because the evaluation of a logistics center, is a very professional and complex work, if you simply take a look at the circle can make an objective evaluation, it would not become a god?

In general, a slightly complex design of the logistics system, to go through repeated rounds of argument to achieve the desired results. In this process, the team is very important. If there is not a highly experienced and spiritual team, even if longer and no use.

I often joke with my colleagues, said the design of a logistics center is like a chess, and sometimes a handful of chess, the whole chess game has been lost. Master and the difference between low-hand, not like the appearance of more like, but rather to understand and judge the chess game, thus put into action. Sometimes a move chess, master and under ordinary people is the same, but they are so understanding why the next is not the same.

Logistics industry is not a very mature industry, business understanding of the logistics of their different, and sometimes even have great differences, especially the owners. Especially for the understanding of logistics solutions, it is not a simple standard can refer to, and perhaps does not exist objectively. There are a lot of equipment manufacturers are happy to give users ideas, engage in design, the starting point is good, the result is harmful to them.

In general, China is very good logistics system is very rare, this is a normal phenomenon in developing countries. The following assessment of a good logistics center, it is only one of the words, bias and fallacies are inevitable, can only let the reader to judge their own.

Key Indicators of Logistics Center

The two key indicators of the logistics center are cost (Cost) and efficiency (efficiency).

Leave these two indicators to talk about logistics center design and optimization, is tantamount to the capital. In most cases, efficiency and cost are interdependent. Improve efficiency and reduce costs, logistics system design and operation of the pursuit of the fundamental goal.

Logistics costs mainly include two parts: construction costs (investment) and operating costs.

Construction costs can be divided into construction costs, equipment (including software systems) costs, construction period management costs, most of which can be reflected in operating costs by depreciation, so in fact the remaining one operating costs. Operating costs include construction and equipment depreciation (leasing, leasing), electricity, supplies, personnel and management costs, transportation costs, taxes, etc., including other costs must be spent, such as loss, financial costs. Fundamentally, the goal of logistics center design and research is to control costs while meeting the growing demand. While the surface is reflected in a variety of technology research and rational application.

The requirements of the logistics system can be reflected in the 6R, that is at the right time, the correct items, according to the correct number to the correct state, in the right direction, on time to the right customers. Which is the key evaluation indicators of logistics services. Efficiency can be divided into two aspects: one is the unit time operating capacity, and cost. If the system and personnel to determine, then the high efficiency means that the cost reduction; the second is the basic embodiment of the level of service, mainly the demand for aging. At this time, the higher the demand often means rising costs.

One of the key factors plaguing logistics design engineers is that when we need higher efficiency, we often need to pay more. Such as the use of more automated equipment, hire more professional management team. Through professional design and training, so that the efficiency of the increase is greater than the cost increase, which is one of our pursuit of the goal.

Good logistics center, its design and system selecion must be good, this is the foundation. However, operational management is a more important part. This is like a car, good car is the foundation, the driver of the technical and routine maintenance is more important. Many companies do not understand this relationship, and thus made a wrong judgment.

Analysis of environmental - related indicators

In general, the construction of a logistics center, the first is from the site selecion. Textbooks will teach us how to sit, and the principles and methods of location, which are very important. Although with the continuous advance of urbanization, the ideal address less and less. So often only second best.

Location: logistics center to consider the location of distribution costs.

from the current national development situation, the site has been subject to a lot of restrictions can not be arbitrary, so, considering the low population density, convenient transportation, distribution of distance from the location of the logistics center is appropriate to build. In particular, to consider the future development of the city, in general, the logistics center to choose the direction consistent with the direction of urban development, rather than the opposite.

Road: The location of the logistics center is very important for road.

First of all, to consider the coverage within the scope of the road network, road grade issues (road grade, width, height, limit, bridges, etc.), limited line problem, parking problems, and some also consider the nuisance problem. A good logistics center on the road requirements are smooth.

Network: Many enterprises of the logistics center network is all over the country, involving the layout of the country, especially e-commerce even more so.

The basic starting point of the impact of the layout of the country's main cost or efficiency, the former from the operating costs to consider whether cost-effective, the latter requires a service commitment from the point of view is feasible, so the distribution volume and distribution radius becomes the key indicators. To e-commerce, for example, to establish a network of assessment model, we must first consider the volume of orders and development prospects, too low order quantity is not produce good economic benefits, it is difficult to achieve the desired goal. The expressway is a very important factor when considering the distribution radius problem.

Land price: land price is also one of the key factors to consider, and a direct impact on future operating costs.

General logistics centers are seleced in the city outer ring (such as the provincial capital city around the city high-speed), close to the high-speed entrance, is a comprehensive consideration of the price and traffic results.

Some assessment factors can be quantified, such as land prices, distribution distance, labor costs. Some are not quantifiable, such as development potential, appreciation potential and so on.

Analysis of Building - Related Index

Specific to the design of a logistics center park, the concerns will be much narrower. Generally should follow from outside to inside, from shallow to deep basic principle.

Door: red block to determine the plot, we must first determine the basic needs of the building, such as logistics sites, office space, dormitories and so on.

Park of the door, the road is the first to consider. According to design specifications, the door should not be set up in the trunk line, should not be too close from the intersection, these should be noted.

Road: the road to consider the logistics and fire two needs. Under normal circumstances one-way lane of not less than 4.5 meters, two-way lane is not less than 7-8 meters. Busy systems may require a wider road.

Architectural orientation: This is a more complex problem, but also one of the difficulties in the design.

Simply put, in the South, the key to consider the summer sun and ventilation problems in the north, to consider the winter wind and northwest wind problems. The associated problem is the site layout. Orientation is the first important thing, followed by the parking location to meet the requirements.

Parking: parking in front of the station is a major problem.

Under normal circumstances, the city distribution, receipts need carts, delivery is the main car. For inter-provincial distribution, you may need carts. This point to understand. Cart to consider more than 35 meters of space. Car should also consider not less than 25 meters of space. Specific circumstances but also specific analysis.

Platform and canopy: the height of the platform is generally 1.2 m, width 4-5 m is appropriate, height of the canopy in the requirements of 4.5 meters above the clearance, but not too high, the width of the rain shed should be as wide, especially rainy area.

Building area: construction area to meet two conditions, one is the volume rate, and the second is the building density. Different regions and different parks on the two indicators of the requirements are different, need to carefully check with the Design Institute.

In the basic to determine the outline of the building on the basis of the impact of architectural design of the key indicators also include the column network, floor, floor height, fire partition, the basis of carrying capacity. This is a relatively small content.

Column net: Column net is the key parameter which affects the logistics design.

Studies have shown that different columns can affect up to more than 30% of space utilization. For a large logistics center, space utilization is particularly important. A logistics center may use a variety of storage technologies, such as automated stereoscopic library, elevated storage, plane library, loft and partition shelves, different storage technology and different equipment required column network is not the same, it is designed One of the difficulties.

Sometimes in order to compare the advantages of various column network, but also the need for different equipment selecion analysis. For example, what kind of forklift to operate? When an overhead warehouse is selected, the requirements for the front-end, forklift and narrow-lane forklift are quite different.

Floors: modern logistics center does not recommend the use of multi-storey building.

Because the multi-storey building column network is very dense, the equipment layout is very limited, high construction costs, the use of cost is also high. But sometimes limited to the area of ​​land, had to use multi-storey building. But even so, too many floors also affect the operating costs and efficiency. Under normal circumstances, 2-3 layer is more appropriate. Europe and the United States generally comply with this principle, even if the land scarcity of Japan, rarely see more than 10 layers of logistics center.

Height: single-storey building, such as the use of automated three-dimensional library, the proposed height of 24 meters.

This is the building fire rating requirements. But can also be lower according to actual needs. But if it is forklift operations, the height should be 15 meters or less is appropriate. Some forklift garage construction to 20 meters or more, is also very wasteful. For multi-storey buildings, a high degree of caution is required. If only for flat operations, generally 4.5 meters is more appropriate choice. But if you want to use the shelf or attic, the height should be selected 6.7-7.0 m more appropriate. If you have to consider forklift operations, or the use of Miniload and other equipment, a higher floor height is an advantage.

Fire district: the past on the fire district has been a lot of discussion.

This is also the design of large-scale logistics center the most critical constraints. Generally should be strictly in accordance with the relevant norms. For special circumstances, prior to the design institute and the fire department in charge of communication. It should be noted that different regions of the requirements for the fire is not the same. Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang requirements to be relaxed a lot. To ensure the safety of the design is a very difficult thing. Sometimes, the logistics center because of fire approval issues, will delay a lot of time.

Basic bearing capacity: how to design the building foundation and floor load capacity will seriously affect the construction cost.

On the logistics center, the carrying capacity to calculate accurate, so that the design institute for design. Loads include the average load and the concentrated load two indicators, the former is the construction pillar bearing requirements, which is the floor and beam structure bearing requirements. The average load is calculated by adding all the loads on the floor, divided by the area derived, generally require a safety factor of not less than 1.5. Concentrated loads can be calculated by dividing the maximum load of an area, divided by the area of ​​the area, and of course a safety factor of not less than 1.5 is also to be considered. It is noteworthy that, also need to base deformation, uneven settlement, etc. to make specific requirements.

Analysis of equipment - related indicators

Logistics system design is a meticulous work. For the choice of equipment, we must first consider the efficiency, automation, reliability, etc., of course, price is also important to consider. For a specific logistics center, should meet the needs of inventory and throughput in order to make the design and demand to match.

Stock: inventory is an important indicator

As a logistics center, is often described as the distribution capacity rather than inventory, but in fact, inventory and distribution capabilities are closely linked. The simplest relationship is: the amount of distribution and distribution is proportional to. The inventory and distribution is proportional to, and inversely proportional to the inventory cycle. These two indicators are very important.

Efficiency: The efficiency of the equipment in theory, the higher the better, but the actual situation is not the case, should consider the efficiency and coordination of the entire system.

The so-called coordination, refers to the entire logistics center in dealing with goods, all aspects of the efficiency of consistency. The ideal state is that the flow of the system is balanced in every link. But in fact often can not do this, there is no need to force. Many factors determine the efficiency of the logistics, equipment performance is only one aspect. Sometimes, the management of good or bad, will lead to completely different results.

Some people simply put the equipment running speed and efficiency confused, this is wrong. Although the speed of the stacker is a key factor affecting the efficiency, there are many factors that determine the efficiency, such as acceleration, scheduling methods, storage principles and so on. Can not just see one side or a point.

Automation: Automation is the future direction of the development of logistics systems, choose what kind of automation level, mainly depends on the results achieved. Especially in reducing operating costs is a key parameter.
Reliability: Nothing is more important than reliability. The reliability of the equipment can be expressed in terms of the failure rate for a certain period of time.

The following formula calculates the availability:
V = (1 - ΣTi / T) * 100%

wher Ti is the equivalent failure time of the subsystem and T is the total time

Accuracy: In the design, consider the accuracy of indicators is necessary, this is the design of the difficulties. Professional designers will focus on the design process to avoid the error of the operation. Such as the selection of means used, the rationality of action and so affect the accuracy of the operation. Accuracy can not be pinned on the operator, although this is necessary in many cases.

A specific logistics center on the choice of equipment is very confusing. This is why many companies can not lead the reason. selec equipment to listen to the views of professionals. In general, the price and quality is directly proportional.

Analysis of Cost - Related Indicators

Cost is very important, but the industry's understanding of the cost is not entirely correct, and sometimes even completely wrong.

from the construction of the logistics center, the cost is the construction cost. The construction cost is the sum of construction cost and logistics equipment cost. This is a very challenging task. Many projects in the construction process did not deal with the proportion of construction and equipment problems. In fact, a long time, China's logistics equipment is very backward, which also led to the owners of the construction cost of recognition, but do not agree with the cost of equipment. This is very regrettable.

Many cases show that the use of automated stereoscopic library proved to be economical, but it is difficult to form a broad consensus.

Another concern about cost is about space utilization. Ordinary multi-storey buildings are considered ideal warehouses. But this is precisely the most wasteful of a situation. To a height of 4.5 meters of the building, in terms of height, the utilization rate of up to 40%, and for a 24-meter storey, the high utilization rate may reach more than 60%, but the long-term Since then, we have ignored this result.

Another cost is operating costs. Some costs are fixed costs, such as depreciation, electricity and so on. Some costs are variable costs, such as labor costs, packaging costs. In assessing operational costs, the focus should be on assessing the share of personnel costs in the overall cost. Because it is part of the system design and automation level associated.

To convince the owners to accept the concept of cost is more difficult. If the logistics equipment can see the real material, the software and services more difficult for the owners to accept. But it is precisely the software and services (including design), the logistics of the operating costs have a key role, which is to be noted.

Conclusion

evaluation of the logistics system indicators are many, this article is only selected its main points and focus on comments. In fact, throughout the evaluation system, the focus is on design requirements for the compliance.

Data analysis is consistent with the actual requirements and future expectations, is the basis for design. The setting of future indicators is very important, too advanced and conservative are very dangerous.

It is important to check that the overall design parameters meet the overall objectives. Key indicators include work space, storage capacity, picking capacity (including picking and picking the whole pick), transportation capacity, packaging capacity, cargo capacity, delivery capacity.

Equipment selection is consistent with the actual requirements, the coordination between the various subsystems is also very important indicators. Which should be noted that the reliability of the system indicators, extreme conditions, the response is also very important, but often overlooked.

Software systems are considered to be the most difficult to choose the job, indeed. But in fact a lot of software system failure is not the reason for the software itself, but rather the team's experience and ability.

Advanced indicators is a relatively difficult to evaluate the indicators. In practice, easily confused with the level of automation. evaluation of a system of advanced, mainly to see his adaptability, timeliness and scalability. Of course, the level of automation is also one of the key indicators.

Environmental protection index is the key logistics design index in recent years. Energy conservation and environmental protection is considered a positive behavior for the future. In the logistics system design, improve efficiency and reduce the number of operations itself is an important indicator of environmental protection. At present in the heat of the modular logistics is an important indicator of environmental protection.

In addition, there is an important indicator is not mentioned above, is the logistics center of the smooth and beautiful, it is difficult to evaluate the part, but also one of the most important content. Is the so-called benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom, on this point, left to the reader to think about it.