ACTIVIDAD DE APRENDIZAJE 9

EVIDENCIA 2

WORKSHOP: Understanding the Distribution Center Layout

PRESENTADO POR:

Damelys Santos Martínez

TECNOLOGIA EN GESTION LOGISTICA

Ficha 2374945

SENA 2022
 Actividad de aprendizaje 9
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.

DESARROLLO DE EVIDENCIA

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
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 D 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 G 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 ASSURANCE H C. This area is in charge of replenishing and
DEPARTMENT storing goods in the store's backroom or
warehouse.
4. TRANSPORTATION F D. An area reserved for inventory that is ready
AREA for final assembly or transport.
5. EXPORT B 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 E 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 C G. Arranges and coordinates shipments in and
DEPARTMENT out of the distribution center.
8. PALLET RACKING A H. This department performs periodic checks
of random samples of stock to 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 close 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 Refrigerated specialty products area is in
products area
- Put-to-store area
The loading area is located next to the freezer.
The Value added services area is in front of the
refrigerated specially products
The Inventory control area is between pick to
tote and batch picking
The Quality auditing area is in front of the
Order packing area
The Order packing area is near the voice with
scanning
front of the Value added services area
The Put-to-store area is near the Order packing
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:

Your opinion:
I disagree. I think Distribution Centers
must have a specific design that helps
the regular non-changing flow of
goods.

PROS:
The layout in your warehouse must be -With flexible Distribution Centers you
flexible 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 racks
into your warehouse as possible
Having an aisle map will help you
validate that the correct item is in the
assigned location.
Provide for the level of automation that Your opinion: Automation within a
can be cost-justified based on your
Your opinion: I do not agree since the
space must be distributed taking into
account that a distribution center
consists of several areas and the spaces
between them must be conserved, as
well as there must be enough space for
movement within the center.
PROS: One of the advantages of
placing a lot of shelves inside the
logistics centers is that we would have
more options to store products.
CONS: One of the disadvantages that
we would have with a lot of shelving is
that the distribution center would not
be very functional since the spaces
would not be appropriate to speed up
the movement of the merchandise.
Your opinion: I agree with this
concept, since a good signage within
the distribution center allows
streamlining processes and reducing
time
PROS: The importance of adequate
signage allows us to streamline
logistics processes within distribution
centers and helps us to reduce time
effectively for the enlistment of
merchandise
CONS: signaling when unclear tends
to confuse and delay processes within a
distribution center
distribution center, although it
 increases implementation costs, is quite
functional and indispensable.

PROS: Automation within a

distribution center allows streamlining
each of the logistics processes and
reduces response times for each of the
particular operation and cost structure.
clients, both internal and external.

CONS: Implementing an automation

system would increase costs in its start-
up, which would be reflected in the
financial part.