Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

TECNÓLOGOS EN GESTIÓN LOGISTICA

FASE: PLANEACION

Diana Carolina Cortés Caicedo

Aprendiz

SERVICIO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAJE

SENA (Centro de Materiales y Ensayos – Distrito Capital)
Bogotá DC
 Actividad de aprendizaje 9

Evidencia 2: Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Tener claridad respecto a los procesos internos de la gestión logística es tan

importante como entender la importancia de la adecuada gestión de la
infraestructura física de las bodegas y centros de distribución, ya que, como
algunos afirman, es el corazón o núcleo de las operaciones logísticas, en tanto
allí se almacenan los productos que posteriormente serán distribuidos al
comercio tanto minorista, como mayorista.

Por lo anterior, es importante que el aprendiz de gestión logística esté en la

capacidad de entender textos en inglés que den cuenta de los estándares de
calidad para la infraestructura de un centro de distribución. Esto le permitirá al
aprendiz tener herramientas para gestionar procesos físicos – de infraestructura
- de la cadena de abastecimiento.

Así, con el fin de ayudarle a adquirir estas herramientas, la presente evidencia

de aprendizaje consiste en realizar un taller sobre el diseño de un centro de
distribución denominado Workshop: Understanding the distribbution center
layout. Este taller consta de dos momentos en los que usted deberá hacer uso
del conocimiento técnico adquirido hasta el momento en el área de inglés para,
posteriormente, como segundo momento, participar en un debate, junto con
otros tres compañeros –seleccionados por el instructor- para compartir su
opinión respecto a las recomendaciones de diseño de un centro de distribución
que aparecen enunciadas en el taller.

Para la elaboración de la presente evidencia, tenga en cuenta lo siguiente:

Primer momento: comprensión y producción escrita

1. Estudie en su totalidad el material de formación Using prepositions to

describe Distribution Centers junto con el material complementario
disponible para esta actividad.
2. Desarrolle completamente el taller disponible para la presente actividad
de
 aprendizaje Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout.
Para la
elaboración de este taller puede usar la herramienta ofimática de su
preferencia.
3. Envíe el archivo al instructor en formato .doc. o .pdf a través de la
plataforma virtual de aprendizaje.

Segundo momento: comprensión y producción oral

1. Revise constantemente los anuncios de la plataforma para obtener

información de fecha y hora del encuentro sincrónico al que usted asistirá
para completar el segundo momento de la presente evidencia: Un debate
respecto a las prácticas para el diseño de un centro de distribución.

2. Participe en el encuentro sincrónico propuesto por su instructor para

discutir brevemente las respuestas brindadas por usted en la sección
“Critical thinking-Making decisions” del taller Workshop:
Understanding the Distribbution Center Layout.

Recuerde que debe sustentar su opinión por medio de las ventajas y

desventajas señaladas por usted para cada uno de los enunciados que
usted trabajó en el taller. De igual modo, recuerde utilizar el vocabulario
técnico aprendido. No olvide tener en cuenta el material complementario
““Expressions for Discussion and Debate” además de los diferentes
aspectos de pronunciación de inglés estudiados en actividades de
aprendizaje anteriores y en el video provisto en el taller mencionado.

Cabe aclarar que dicho encuentro contará con la participación de tres

aprendices más seleccionados por su instructor y, aunque este segundo
momento se realizará de manera grupal, su desempeño se evaluará de
manera individual.

3. Asegúrese de responder a cabalidad cada una de las preguntas de su tutor

o compañeros.
En caso de tener dudas relacionadas con la participación en una
videoconferencia,
se recomienda consultar el video: ¿Cómo unirse a una sesión virtual de
Blackboard Collaborate?, ubicado en el botón Tutoriales del menú del programa
de formación.

Workshop: Understanding the distribution center layout

Your warehouse or distribution center layout greatly affects the performance of

your business. In fact, without a properly configured warehouse layout, you
could face capacity issues and even a decrease in productivity.
Complete the following activities in order to understand the importance of the
layout when designing a Distribution Center or warehouse.

1. Getting familiar with Distribution Centers

a. Read the following description of a Distribution Center and complete it

with the words from the box.

STORAGE RECEIVING AREAS CENTERS

All distribution centers have three

main Areas and may have
additional specialized areas. The
three main areas are the receiving
dock, also called loading dock, the
storage area or cargo deck, and the
shipping dock.
In small organizations it is possible
for the receiving and shipping
functions to occur side by side, but
in large center, separating these
areas simplifies the process.
b. Read and match. Read the definition for each of the areas that a
distribution center may include and match the definition with the name
of such area.

1. LOADING DOCK 2 A. This area controls and ships large. This

department usually includes forklift
truck drivers to load containers and
wagons, and man-up or combi forklift
trucks to unload full pallets from
warehouse racking.
2. BULK DEPARTMENT 5 B. This department controls orders which
are leaving the country of the
distribution center. This department is
almost identical in function to a bulk
department; however, workers in this
department build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
3. QUALITY 7 C. This area is in charge of replenishing
ASSURANCE and storing goods in the store's
DEPARTMENT backroom or warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION 6 D. An area reserved for inventory that is
AREA ready for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT 8 E. There are many types of this racking.
DEAPARTMENT However, all types allow for
the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
6. STAGING LOCATION 1 F. This is an area of the warehouse where
goods vehicles (usually road or rail)
are loaded and unloaded. This area
usually includes pallet wrapping
workers, conveyor belt unloaders,
 forklift drivers, and administrative
staff
7. STOCKING 4 G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
DEPARTMENT and out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING 3 H. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
check quality, including from the
warehouse racking, goods in, and
returned stock.

Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/

2. Describing a Distribution Center

Following, you’ll see the very basic design of any Distribution Center. Check the
image and answer the questions:

Fuente: SENA
A) According to the image, complete the following paragraph by selecting
the best preposition for each case.
While creating a layout for your warehouse or distribution center
can be considered a big task, it doesn't have to be complicated.
The following tips can help you navigate the process of laying out
your warehouse and make the most out of your space.

1. Make sure you have enough pallets to store all your goods
in/on/at them.
 2. Organize your pallets evenly in/on/at specific racks in such
way that it is easy for the machinery –forklifts- to access
them.
3. There should be enough space for your equipment or
machinery to move by/near/through the warehouse.
4. The machinery or equipment station must be
far/below/close the shipping and receiving area in order to
load and unload freight trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front of/under/above the
warehouse racking for you to supervise the activity within
the warehouse.

Let’s check another example of a distribution center. Pay attention to the

different areas within this distribution center and answer the questions below:
 Fuente: SENA

B) Write sentences to describe the previous distribution center. Do not forget

to use prepositions to describe their location. Check the example:

Where is the…? Answer

- Loading area The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
- Value added services area The value-added services area is in front
of the line loading
- Inventory control area The Invetory control area is next to line
loading
 - Quality auditing area Quality auditing area is opposite the put-
to-store
- Order packing area is next to the quality audit and batch
selection
- Refrigerated specialty The refrigerated specialty products area
products area is among the value-added services area
and high value products area
- Put-to-store area The put-to-store area is next to reverse
logistics

3. Critical thinking – Making decisions

A) Pros and Cons. Read the following statements about Distribution Center
Design and decide in you agree or disagree with the statement. Do some
research on the topic and provide pros and cons for each statement.

Check the example:

Your opinion:
I disagree. I think Distribution
Centers must have a specific
design that helps the regular
non-changing flow of goods.
PROS:
-With flexible Distribution
The layout in your warehouse Centers you can ensure your
must be flexible facilities are ready for
anything that comes in the
future.
CONS:
-Flexible Distribution Centers
tends to be more disorganized.
It is hard to keep control of the
changes.
Save space: cram as many Your opinion: As long as it
pallet racks into your does not harm the normal
warehouse as possible development of machinery and
personnel.
PROS: Helps to take more
advantage of the distribution
center
CONS: intervenes in the good
management of CEDI

Having an aisle map will help Your opinion:

you validate that the correct It is indicated to locate, verify
item is in the assigned and load the desired item
location. efficiently
PROS: Aisle Maps make it
easy to locate each item, and
also come up with ideas for a
new organization
CONS: influences hindering
the work of the staff, as it will
be adapted to a map and not to
their experience
Your opinion: The personnel
Provide for the level of in charge of this area should
automation that can be cost- study in depth the needs in this
justified based on your process in a more relevant way
operation and cost structure. PROS: Effectively improve
process flow and reduce steps
to perform a designated task
CONS: Caution must be taken
to find the most suitable way,
so as not to incur capital
expenses.
 4. Sharing your opinion

It is time to share your opinions about distribution centers design. Study the
complementary material “Expressions for Discussion and Debate” and get
ready for your Blackboard Collaborate session.

Study the following video to have a successful participation in your debate

session. Pay attention to pronunciation and the different expressions to
participate in a discussion How to discuss a topic in a group:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY2yjEEoB3U

Pasos para enviar la evidencia:

Clic en el título de la evidencia.

Clic en Examinar mi equipo y buscar el archivo previamente guardado.
Dejar un comentario al instructor (opcional).
Clic en Enviar.

Nota: Recuerde que la elaboración de esta evidencia es de carácter individual y

para su desarrollo exitoso, usted debe revisar el material de formación “Using
prepositions to describe Distribution Centers” y los materiales complementarios
pertenecientes a esta actividad de aprendizaje.
 Criterios de evaluación
• Explica claramente las ventajas y desventajas de una posible decisión
en lo técnico.

• Toma parte activa en debates informales dentro de contextos de

trabajo
habituales.

• Plantea, explica y contesta hipótesis técnicas.

Nota: Recuerde que la elaboración de esta evidencia es de carácter individual y

para su desarrollo exitoso, usted debe revisar el material de formación “Using
prepositions to describe Distribution Centers” y los materiales complementarios
pertenecientes a esta actividad de aprendizaje.

Criterios de evaluación
• Explica claramente las ventajas y desventajas de una posible decisión
en lo técnico.

• Toma parte activa en debates informales dentro de contextos de

trabajo
habituales.

• Plantea, explica y contesta hipótesis técnicas.