This is the most authoritative and complete guide to planning, implementing, measuring, and optimizing world-class supply chain warehousing processes. Straight from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), it explains each warehousing option, basic warehousing storage and handling operations, strategic planning, and the effects of warehousing design and service decisions on total logistics costs and customer service. This reference introduces crucial concepts including product handling, labor management, warehouse support, and extended value chain processes, facility ownership, planning, and strategy decisions; materials handling; warehouse management systems; Auto-ID, AGVs, and much more. Step by step, The Definitive Guide to Warehousing helps you optimize all facets of warehousing, one of the most pivotal areas of supply chain management. Coverage includes: Basic warehousing management concepts and their essential role in demand fulfillment Key elements, processes, and interactions in warehousing operations management Principles and strategies for effectively planning and managing warehouse operations Principles and strategies for designing materials handling operations in warehousing facilities Critical roles of technology in managing warehouse operations and product flows Best practices for assessing the performance of warehousing operations using standard metrics and frameworks