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. Desarolle 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 STORAGE
dock, also called loading dock, the
RECEIVING 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 CENTERS, 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 A. This area controls and ships large. This

department usually includes forklift truck
drivers to load containers and wagons,
6
and man-up or combi forklift trucks to
unload full pallets from warehouse
racking.
2. BULK DEPARTMENT B. This department controls orders which
are leaving the country of the
distribution center. This department is
5 almost identical in function to a bulk
department; however, workers in this
department build pallets conforming to
different standards and sizes.
 3. QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
4. TRANSPORTATION
AREA
5. EXPORT DEAPARTMENT
6. STAGING LOCATION
7. STOCKING
DEPARTMENT
8. PALLET RACKING
Note: In case you have any questions with vocabulary, remember to check the
following dictionaries:
- http://www.businessdictionary.com/
- http://www.linguee.com/
C. This area is in charge of replenishing
7 and storing goods in the store's
backroom or warehouse.
D. An area reserved for inventory that is
2
ready for final assembly or transport.
E. There are many types of this racking.
However, all types allow for
8
the storage of palletized materials in
horizontal rows with multiple levels.
F. This is an area of the warehouse where
goods vehicles (usually road or rail) are
loaded and unloaded. This area usually
1
includes pallet wrapping workers,
conveyor belt unloaders, forklift drivers,
and administrative staff
G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in
4
and out of the distribution center.
H. This department performs periodic
checks of random samples of stock to
3 check quality, including from the
warehouse racking, goods in, and
returned stock. 
 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
on them.
2. Organize your pallets evenly in 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 through the warehouse.
4. The machinery or equipment station must be far the shipping
and receiving area in order to load and unload freight trucks.
5. The offices must be located in front of 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
- Value added services area
- Inventory control area
- Quality auditing area
- Order packing area
- Refrigerated specialty The area of special refrigerated products is
products area
- Put-to-store area
The loading area is located next to the
freezer.
The value added services area is located
between the Vocollect area for direct
vehicle feeding and the line loading area.
Inventory control area is behind batch
picking area
The quality audit area is next to the batch
selection area.
The order packaging area is located next
to put to store area.
behind put away area.
The Put to store area is in front of Quality
auditing area.

3. Critical thinking – Making decisions

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

Check the example:

The layout in your warehouse must
be flexible
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
Centers you can ensure your
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 pallet Your opinion:
racks into your warehouse as - I agree. I think that the shelf in a
possible distribution center is important not
only for its orderly appearance but
also for the good organization of the
inventory
PROS:
The pallet racks into the warehouse
provides a good organization of the
products.
CONS:
The pallet racks pose a risk if these
are too high
Having an aisle map will help you Your opinion:
validate that the correct item is in I agree. Since the aisle map
the assigned location. streamlines the distribution and
location of products
PROS:
The Aisle map helps keep track of
product status.
CONS:
The aisle map when not simplified,
can generate loss in the location of
the product.
Provide for the level of automation Your opinion
that can be cost-justified based on I agree, since the levels of
your particular operation and cost automation creates a certain
structure. harmony in the operation of the
product distribution and the
operation of the distribution center.
PROS
Automation levels provide correct
knowledge about a specific area, in
 this way each area becomes
effective and productive.
CONS
Automation levels can produce a
certain corporate individualism and
could lead to a separation from the
production center in terms of its
specific tasks.

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.