Even with that much work force, dont you think it would be hard
to find out where is what? If you look at the pictures closely
youll notice that Amazon stacks the stuff in a very odd manner.
Random products are stacked up together and at the first glance it
doesnt make any sense. But if you look closely and read about the
chaotic storage concept, things will start to add up and you will
be able to grasp how it works. By employing this strategy, Amazon
is able to utilize the space more efficiently and it helps them
stay flexible. The key idea is this; if you have a space reserved
for a certain item only it will remain empty when the stock is low
or the item is out of stock and that place wont be utilized.
It would be just empty space and thats a waste. However, using
this storage theme that freed up space is utilized almost instantly
with other stuff. This way its also easier for employees to avoid
long walks to a certain items storage place because using the
chaotic storage, the database can find them the closest set of
required item resulting in an efficient storage and less time
preparing an order for shipping. Database relies on the use of
barcodes that are placed on every item which enter the warehouse.
These barcodes are in sync with the storage place where these items
are supposed to go in the warehouse. This facilitates the database
in keeping a record of everything; whats coming in and whats going
out and which space is empty or which space has been utilized. Only
exceptions to the chaotic storage are bulky furniture and fast
moving items which hardly stay at the warehouse before getting
shipped. Quite a system, wouldnt you agree?
