WenKai's ALB Reflection

The field trip to the Army Logistic Base was one not to be missed, I don’t think I would get another chance to see for myself and experience how the warehouse operates, and the on-the-spot explanation provided by the staffs.

First up, we were briefed by an employee from the Singapore Technologies Logistics (STL), which were outsource to by the SAF. From the briefing, I got to know that the ALB adopted a centralized approach, with the deployment of modern warehouse technology and latest state-of-the-art IT system, surely you know by now the principals and advantages it offers. One other interesting thing to note was the diverse array of product lines that were stored, such as weapons and equipment, medical supplies and other non-SAF products that were contracted to STL.

We were then brought to the warehouse operation area, where it deployed a through flow layout, due to building constraints and perhaps to provide for better security to product movement the layout offers. And also the Stock Keeping Unit (kit bags for enlistees) that were ready to be picked near the loading bay. The magnificent height of the ALB building which is 20m high to accommodate for high racks, it clearly fulfilled one of it’s principal to optimize warehouse space. Next up was the powered Mobile Racking System installed at the reserved storage, when you compare it to the conventional wide-aisle pallet racking, you can see the much higher versatility and efficiency it offers by utilizing double the amount of space!
Moving on to was the Pallet AS/RS at the outbound area, with this automated system, I see it can cut down cycle time by eliminating the wait, walk and search time.
Off to the 3rd level of the building was the medical warehouse that housed the Vertical Carousel, and Shelving systems for small item storage. The Vertical Carousel was about 10m high containing 74 layers that deals with medical supplies, the fact that the supplies were enclosed in this system with humidity control and were only visible upon reaching the order pickers showed the importance and value of the product, and the protection offered by the system.

The MHE used at the inbound area was the Automatic Guided Vehicle that is very useful in a fast moving environment, and the Pallet AS/RS as stated earlier at the outbound area.

To summarize, this trip provided me an invaluable experience and deeper insights into logistic operations, I now have a better understanding and clearer picture of what’s said in the book and lectures!