Articles - L Squared

Digital Displays: Connecting Warehousing, Manufacturing & Distribution

Written by Gregg Forsberg | Feb 4, 2025 12:09:45 PM

Did you know that in 1913, Henry Ford’s moving assembly line cut car production time from 12 hours to just 90 minutes? The secret? Organized warehouses to manage materials efficiently.

From housing raw materials to preparing finished goods for delivery, warehouses are the backbone of every successful industrial operation. 

But they come with challenges: oftentimes businesses lose both time and money due to lost inventory, mismatched setups, and manual workforce inefficiencies.

And with the warehousing industry growing at a CAGR of 8.1, streamlining warehouse operations is more critical than ever.

This is where digital displays step in. By bridging communication gaps through real-time alerts and automating workflows—digital displays can help bridge the gap between manufacturing and distribution and ensure all teams are aligned with instant notifications.

In this article, we’ll explore how digital signage transforms different types of warehouses into efficiency powerhouses, ensuring manufacturing and distribution work in the same rhythm!

What are Some Examples of Warehousing in the Supply Chain?

Before we start talking about the benefits of integrating digital signage into warehouses—let’s quickly review the different types of warehouses. 

Remember—your choice of warehouse will depend on your business needs, storage requirements, and operational goals. Here are the key types of warehouses and their functions:

  • Private Warehouses: Owned and operated by businesses for dedicated storage needs. Ideal for consistent, large-scale operations.
  • Public Warehouses: Third-party facilities available for multiple businesses. Cost-effective and flexible for SMEs or fluctuating storage needs.
  • Automated Warehouses: Technology-driven facilities using robotics and IoT for high efficiency, reduced errors, and optimized space utilization.
  • Distribution Centers: Focus on quick movement of goods for fast delivery and order fulfillment. Essential for retail and e-commerce.
  • Cold Storage Warehouses: Temperature-controlled facilities for perishable items like food and pharmaceuticals.
  • Bonded Warehouses: Store imported goods until customs duties are paid, providing security and deferred tax payments.
  • Cooperative Warehouses: Shared facilities owned by groups with similar storage needs, reducing costs for small businesses.
  • E-commerce Warehouses: Tailored for online businesses with integrated inventory systems and streamlined picking and packing.
  • Short term Warehouses: Temporary storage solutions for seasonal demand or specific projects, offering flexibility without long-term commitments.

Now that we’re up to speed with the most common types of warehouses, let’s look into the different ways digital displays can help in warehousing.

Also Read: How Digital Signage Keeps Cross-Shift and Cross-Department Safety Communication Clear

How Digital Displays Help Warehouses and Production

Enhancing safety protocols and reducing workplace incidents

Statistically speaking, the manufacturing industry faces higher risks than most sectors, with 391 workplace fatalities reported in 2023. Out of these, a majority of the workplace incidents occurred due to heavy machinery and hazardous materials.

Digital displays change the narrative here by providing real-time safety updates that everyone can see, no matter where they are across the floor. 

These digital screens can show emergency alerts that guide workers during crises or maintenance reminders to prevent costly equipment failures.

Got sensitive materials that need temperature monitoring? Digital signage can help track and display real-time conditions, ensuring compliance and safety.

Best part? Digital displays adapt to various warehouse environments, ensuring seamless communication even in fast-paced operations.

Also Read: How Digital Signage Enhances Workplace Compliance

Optimizing workflows with performance dashboards

Navigating around the warehouse and production floor is no easy feat. 

Just take the example of Jack, a newly hired manager working at the warehouse.

Jack is trying to manage his short-term warehouse without knowing which shelves are empty, which machines need maintenance, or how closely his team is meeting their daily targets.

That’s where performance dashboards come in, transforming confusion into clarity!

These digital displays provide real-time insights into KPIs, inventory levels, and production metrics, helping warehouse managers like Jack to stay aligned with operational goals. 

For example, if a particular product’s stock is running low, a dashboard can flag it instantly, ensuring restocking before delays hit the supply chain.

Additionally, dashboards can easily be integrated with ERP and MES systems to unify data from multiple sources within the warehouse and production floors. Not just that, they also play a substantial role in identifying varying inefficiencies. 

These dashboards, when shown through digital signage, highlight bottlenecks, underperforming equipment, or excessive downtime that allow managers to take swift action. 

Also Read: How Digital Signage as Real Time Displays Improves Data Visualization in Manufacturing KPI Dashboards

Boosting employee engagement and morale

Ever heard of the “Employee of the Month” award? It’s a great idea, but why stop there? 

It is very well proven that highly engaged employees are 23% more profitable than their disengaged counterparts. 

Let’s go back to the example of Jack. His warehouse and production floor is buzzing with activity and vibrant visuals displaying employee achievements. This same screen then broadcasts birthday shoutouts, work anniversaries, or team milestones. 

These gestures may seem small and insignificant at the start but are heavily impactful in boosting morale and fostering a culture of recognition and loyalty.

Now, let’s talk real-time updates—digital signage keeps employees informed. With HR updates, safety protocols, and event announcements flashing across screens in common areas, your employees won’t have to open their inboxes every time you want to share some information with him. 

For example, live dashboards showing real-time progress toward team goals make every achievement feel like a collective win!

If you’ve come this far, why not learn effective warehouse management? Book a demo and see how digital signage can turn your workflows into a masterpiece of efficiency!

L Squared Works With All Types of Warehouses

With the warehouse automation market projected to hit a whopping $44 billion by 2028, it’s clear that the future of warehousing is anything but manual labor. 

All types of warehouses are hotbeds of activity, but managing inventory, assembly lines, and safety protocols is no easy feat.

Enter digital signage. From boosting employee engagement to streamlining workflows through dynamic dashboards, digital signage helps keep the ball rolling on your floor.

Add automated alerts for potential issues and live inventory tracking to the mix, and you’ve got a perfect mix of minimized downtime and maximum efficiency with L Squared’s digital signage solutions!

L Squared brings 17+ years of experience and a proven track record with Fortune 500 companies. Setup takes just an hour, with 24/5 support always available.

Ready to boost productivity within your warehouse? Contact L Squared today and see your warehouse operations thrive. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What are short-term warehouses?
Short-term warehouses are temporary storage facilities designed to meet seasonal demand, support specific projects, or handle overflow inventory. These warehouses offer flexibility without long-term commitments, making them an essential solution for industries like retail and e-commerce, where storage needs frequently change. They are a practical choice for bridging gaps in warehouse and production workflows during peak periods.

2) What are the 4 basic functions in a warehouse?
The four basic functions in a warehouse include receiving, storage, picking, and shipping. Receiving ensures that goods are checked, logged, and properly stored. Storage involves organizing inventory efficiently for easy access and optimal space utilization. Picking is the process of retrieving items to fulfill orders, and shipping prepares and dispatches goods to their destinations. These functions are fundamental to smooth operations in manufacturing and warehouse setups, ensuring efficiency across the supply chain.

3) How are warehouses classified?
Warehouses are classified based on their purpose and functionality. Common types of warehouses include private warehouses, which are owned and operated by individual businesses; public warehouses, which are shared among multiple businesses; and automated warehouses, which use robotics and IoT to enhance operations. Other examples include cold storage warehouses for temperature-sensitive goods and short-term warehouses, which offer temporary solutions for seasonal demand or overflow inventory. Each type addresses specific needs, making them vital in warehouse and production processes.

4) How does digital signage help in various warehouses?

Digital signage improves operations across all types of warehouses by enhancing communication and providing real-time updates. In manufacturing and warehouse environments, it displays live metrics and inventory levels, ensuring teams stay aligned with production goals. In short-term warehouses, digital signage supports fast-paced workflows with instant alerts and dynamic dashboards. Additionally, it helps streamline safety compliance with visual reminders and centralizes critical information, making operations more efficient and cohesive. By bridging gaps in warehouse and production, digital signage becomes a key tool for modern warehousing.