UPGRADING WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT WITH SMART STRATEGIES FOR A JAPANESE RETAIL CHAIN

Smartlog Warehouse Management System (SWM) was implemented for a consumer retail business operating an approximately 1,300 m² warehouse. The project focused on moving beyond basic inventory recording toward real-time inventory visibility, detailed location control, and system-driven putaway, picking, and stocktaking strategies. The solution also supports handheld-based warehouse execution and a Vietnamese interface designed for local warehouse users.

ABOUT OUR CUSTOMER

Our customer is a retailer offering a broad range of Japanese consumer goods, including food, beverages, cosmetics, household products, and mother-and-baby products.

The company operates an approximately 1,300 m² warehouse, with inbound goods mainly handled by pallet and outbound goods processed by carton or pallet using handheld devices.

OPERATING CONTEXT

Before Smartlog SWM, the business already had a warehouse system in place. However, the existing platform mainly supported transaction recording and offered limited support for warehouse execution strategies.

Storage locations relied heavily on individual operator decisions, while full-case and loose inventory could be mixed and physical inventory locations were not always fully controlled within the system.

The company also needed stronger warehouse reporting and a more user-friendly Vietnamese interface.

KEY CHALLENGES

Limited inventory location visibility.
Storage decisions depended heavily on individual operators, increasing the risk of gaps between system records and physical inventory.

Limited warehouse execution capabilities.
The existing system did not effectively support putaway, picking, and stocktaking strategies.

Insufficient reporting and usability.
The business required stronger operational reporting and a system better suited to local warehouse users.

SMARTLOG'S APPROACH

Smartlog SWM was designed as a real-time warehouse management platform connecting inbound, outbound, inventory, and warehouse execution processes.

Multiple inbound and outbound workflows
SWM supports supplier receipts, returns, transfer receipts, sales issues, and supplier returns.

Detailed inventory control
Inventory can be managed by location, SKU, carton ID, lot number, and production date.

Handheld-enabled warehouse execution
Warehouse transactions can be recorded directly through mobile and handheld devices.

System-driven warehouse strategies
SWM supports putaway, picking, and stocktaking strategies to reduce reliance on individual operator experience.

RESULTS

The available project materials do not yet include quantified post-implementation KPIs for processing time, cost, or warehouse productivity.

The confirmed solution outcomes include:

• Real-time inventory management

• More detailed inventory location control

• Standardized inbound and outbound processes

• Handheld-enabled warehouse execution

• Operational reporting

• System-supported putaway, picking, and stocktaking strategies

BUSINESS VALUE

The key value of SWM in this project lies in moving the warehouse beyond basic transaction recording.

By combining real-time inventory visibility with system-driven execution strategies, the business gains a stronger foundation for inventory accuracy, traceability, and operational consistency.

This becomes increasingly important as retail product ranges, warehouse volumes, and transaction complexity continue to grow.