Evaluate the impact of new technologies on the processes of storage and distribution in your industry. How far does success still depend on the quality of logistics management and operations staff?
Rushton et al (2010) indicated that the warehouses are very essential mechanism of the supply chain legs, procurement, production and distribution of goods. They are the distribution centers to store inventories for further production, to fast response to customer demand, for future demand, and to enable cost trade-off. Managing warehouses is the most costly in the supply chain as they require buildings, staff, and equipment. In our organization, The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the storage and distribution is very crucial to our humanitarian operations. The big challenge that we face is the sourcing of equipment and supplies outside Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation. All our procurement operations are conducted from neighboring Kuwait where we have our distribution center too. Once the equipment and supplies reach Kuwait is handled by our Movement and Control Department (MovCon) who deliver to the Receiving and Inspection department (R&I) which carry the process of inspection of the shipment in accordance to the specifications, terms and conditions of the relevant purchase order. As soon as the physical R&I process is completed and the shipment is accepted, they enter the data in the Inventory Management System (Galileo) after classifying it to materials or equipment. Then the R&I deliver the shipment, physically and electronically, to the responsible department. In UNAMI we have four responsible departments, Commination and Information Technology, Engineering, Supply, and Transport. Each department has its own warehouse and is charged for the control of storage and use of materials and equipment. The responsible department is also charged with the transfer of shipment into Iraq using the appropriate transport...