Yard Dock Management Systems Play Important Role in Food Product Freshness

Receiving real-time loading dock status updates from a single interface can help to reduce labor hours while increasing dock utilization by 20% or more. In response to the increased productivity, some systems can even eliminate unnecessary service, which can tie up dock positions and leave trailers in the yard or at the dock for hours. Through scheduled maintenance based on actual equipment usage—information gained through a network of sensors installed in the doors, vehicle restraints, and dock levelers—operators can further schedule maintenance when it is best suited to the work load and types of products.

Take Control Inside the Warehouse

High-volume low-speed fans were designed to create a comfortable environment while maintaining an energy- efficient facility, providing considerable benefits to employees and the products they are moving. The blades of these HVLS fans produce a massive column of air that flows down toward the floor and outward in all directions before being drawn back vertically toward the blades to create what is known as a horizontal floor jet. The breeze produced by these fans protects product integrity by circulating air to keep food and produce dry and fresh, reducing spoilage. Moreover, when they are run in reverse, HVLS fans can even help destratify air in refrigerated applications.

While these fans are a great addition to any operation, there are systems available to help keep up with the controls and settings when a facility has 10, 20, or more than 30 fans. Industrial networked HVLS fan systems allow operators to network and control multiple fans from a centralized location to ensure maximum fan performance that will keep employees productive and perishables dry and fresh.

Many systems use touchscreen computers to allow users to easily monitor and adjust all fan operations. Navigation buttons provide access to operating parameters, temperature or time settings, and fan diagnostics. Additionally, iPads and other tablets can be integrated as remote controls in conjunction with the main screen with similar functionality. These can control fans collectively, individually, or by zones within a facility. Built-in webview software can allow fans in multiple buildings to be managed from a single location. Fan operation can be programmed to react to date, time, and temperature setting/variance, as well as to interconnect to fire suppression systems, providing increased peace of mind when it comes to keeping spoilage down during shipping and receiving.

Track, Measure, Change, Repeat

Proactive change on the loading dock and in logistics operations is a method proven to help reduce the bottlenecks and slowdowns associated with moving perishable products and materials. But how do you know what to change and when?

Yard and dock management systems do more than simply track and provide raw data to end users. Some develop detailed reports based on an almost unlimited set of parameters such as carrier arrival and departure times, loading and unloading times, and even labor hours. These reports provide operators with the information they need to make important, timely decisions that can affect the productivity as well as the profitability of their operations.

As the nation’s food supply demands continue to grow, concerns about food-borne illnesses, allergens, and contamination have never been more important. Equipping manufacturing or distribution facilities with effective yard and dock management systems will help ensure products stay fresh and are loaded and shipped to the consumer with greater efficiency, dramatically reducing the risk of spoilage or contamination.