Warehouse Operations & Storage Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CIM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Warehouse Operations & Storage Systems flashcards as text
What is the difference between 'throughput' and 'capacity' in warehouse performance measurement?
Answer: Throughput is the rate of goods processed per time period; capacity is the maximum volume the facility can hold
Throughput measures how much product flows through the warehouse in a given time period, while capacity refers to the maximum static storage volume available.
In a pick-to-light system, what guides the picker to the correct bin location?
Answer: Illuminated display units mounted at each storage location
Pick-to-light systems illuminate LED displays at the correct bin location showing the quantity to pick, eliminating the need for paper lists or handheld scanners.
A warehouse uses 'chaotic storage' (also called random storage). Which technology is essential to make this system work?
Answer: A warehouse management system (WMS) with real-time location tracking
Chaotic storage assigns inventory to any available location dynamically, so a real-time WMS is essential to track exactly where every SKU is located at all times.
What is 'dwell time' in the context of warehouse dock management?
Answer: The total time a trailer occupies a dock door
Dwell time is the total duration a carrier's trailer occupies a dock door, including wait time, loading/unloading, and departure, which affects dock throughput and carrier fees.
Which storage rack type is specifically designed for long, heavy items like lumber, pipes, or steel bars?
Answer: Cantilever rack
Cantilever racks have horizontal arms extending from vertical columns with no front uprights, providing unobstructed access for storing long or irregularly shaped materials.
What is a 'license plate number' (LPN) in warehouse management system terminology?
Answer: A unique identifier assigned to a unit load (pallet, tote, or carton) to track it through the warehouse
An LPN is a unique ID (barcode or RFID tag) assigned to a pallet, tote, or carton that allows the WMS to track its contents, location, and movement history.
Which government agency regulates hazardous material storage placarding requirements in US warehouses that ship via common carrier?
Answer: DOT (PHMSA)
The Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under 49 CFR regulates hazmat placarding for materials shipped via common carrier.