There are some unique operational challenges involved with the management of temperature-controlled supply chains within the National Capital Region (NCR). Aside from the high temperatures prevailing in summer, there are strict regulations and the pressure of quick fulfillment, especially because of e-commerce companies. It is essential to have efficient inventory management, failing which there will be huge losses from expired stock and regulatory violations that would lead to severe stock losses for perishable, pharmaceutical, and packaged food products. In order to avoid this problem, it is extremely important to conduct First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) process flows and control a particular batch efficiently.
The necessity of FEFO and Batch Control for NCR
Undergoing temperature fluctuations during cross-docking or transport leads to faster deterioration of the product. FEFO rules that products are sent not based on their delivery date but on how much shelf life they have left.
- Meeting Regulations : The requirements of FSSAI and CDSCO are that all batches must be traceable and carefully monitored for shelf life.
- Compliance with Quick-Commerce SLA : Brands must deliver the products in accordance with the operating platforms of Delhi, Gurgaon, or Noida, namely that they must have at least 70% of their shelf life left.
- Traceability of Batch : Through digital batch logging, the affected product can be dealt with uniformly if there are any issues regarding a product recall.
Plan of Action for FEFO Implementation
1. Use of Artificial Intelligence for Inbound Lot Capture
Batch tracking commences at the receiving dock. As goods arrive at the warehouse, data regarding their Manufacturing Date (MFD), Expiry Date (EXP), Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) ID, and lot numbers must be entered into the Warehouse Management System (WMS) by means of barcode or OCR scanners.
2. Dynamic Placement of Products in the Order of Their Expiry Date
The assignment of specific locations to perishable goods limits the level of flexibility. Cold storage facilities in the Gurgaon region should practice dynamic placement of goods, putting goods nearing expiration in positions closer to shipping docks while ensuring strict temperature control in storage areas.
3. Use of Specialized Systems for Picking
Automatically generated picking lists minimize human errors and direct the actions of warehouse employees.
Effortlessly Scaling Cold Chain Operations
Expanding cold storage in busy metropolitan areas demands both advanced technology and an operational skill set. With the help of tech-oriented services Edgistify offers, it is possible for businesses to develop AI-supported tracking techniques, introduce automated FEFO processes, and ensure continuous visibility of batches through the whole cold chain.