Inventory Management Systems with Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are a great choice for businesses that require additional room to store their equipment and inventory. Thanks to their solidity and structural integrity, you can rest assured your items will be adequately protected at all times.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of container-based storage. If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch – the Cleveland Containers team is always on hand to answer any queries you may have.

Advantages of Container-Based Storage

Container-based storage comes with a wide range of advantages to help you nail your company’s stock management system. Some of the benefits include:

Optimising Limited Container Space

Inventory management systems for small businesses can cause a few headaches, especially when you don’t have much room to play with.

However, shipping containers can provide an important helping hand, as they are specifically designed to maximise space utilisation. Due to their standardised dimensions, cargo containers are very easy to stack and organise, allowing for efficient use of limited storage areas.

Shipping containers also give you the chance to use space vertically, meaning you’ll be able to store more goods, items, and equipment without expanding your footprint.

Secure Storage and Cargo Protection

When it comes to structure and materials, all shipping containers need to meet specific requirements to make them as secure and weather-resistant as possible.

Remember that these units are mostly built for transportation purposes via boat and trucks, and are therefore exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. So, to keep their content safe, they need to be made with solid, resistant steel.

Thanks to the structural integrity of shipping containers, your inventory will stay protected all year round – regardless of whether you keep your cargo indoors or outdoors.

Shipping containers are also fitted with security systems and locking mechanisms, providing protection against potential theft and unauthorised access.

Container Inventory Management Systems

But what is an inventory management system (IMS)?

In short, it’s a process that allows businesses to monitor, manage, and optimise their inventory levels at all times, playing a crucial role in all things stock-related.

As mentioned, containers can help companies keep their items in check, allowing you to have full visibility of stock levels, movements, and locations. This is an efficient way to keep your small business ticking as standard without surprises.

If you own a larger enterprise, using shipping containers for your inventory management systems can offer some useful, advanced features. These might include things such as barcode scanning, automatic replenishment, predictive analytics, and so on.  

Implementing Container Stock Control

To streamline your operations and ensure your inventory is adequately tracked, it’s always wise to implement a container stock control process.

For example, to keep your containers and inventory well organised, you may want to label each cargo unit with a unique identifier. This way, by recording the code in your IMS, you’ll be able to group containers that store similar items and monitor their whereabouts at all times.

Likewise, having a stock control process in place will give you the opportunity to update the level and number of items within your containers. Should you spot low stock levels, you can bring in new orders and refill your storage units as necessary.

Preparing Containers for Inventory Use

Before you start using your containers for inventory purposes, you may need to modify them here and there to accommodate your stock.

Some of the most popular tweaks might include the installation of shelves, racks, or dividers. This will allow you to store things in a more orderly manner, optimise your container space, and prevent avoidable damage to your goods and items.

In this respect, some products might require climate-controlled environments to preserve their quality – and with shipping containers, that’s no problem.

You can add insulation, ventilation, and even temperature control systems to create the perfect storage room for your climate-sensitive items.

Need extra room to manage your inventory? Shipping containers are always a reliable, effective solution. But cargo units can do a lot more, too.

If you’re kickstarting your business or simply adding more space to your site, you’ll be interested to know that shipping containers can creatively be converted into shops, bars, restaurants, and more. How? Feel free to get in touch today – we’re more than happy to guide you through your different options.