Individual Reflection by Min Min

Upon knowing that we might be going on a field trip to Army Logistics Base was astonishing for I was expecting to see guns and machineries that I totally forgo the part where food supplies and medical supplies would be available too.

This trip was to allow all juniors to be able to picture how a warehouse might be like and the systems being used in reality rather than pictures found in books. I was pretty sure that this trip could aid me in answering my exam questions much more efficiently since real life experiences always creates a stronger impact.

Having worked in a warehouse before, this was definitely another eye opener, different from the warehouse I worked in. ALB could afford much higher technology equipments and was a different flow from the warehouse I worked in.

Upon reaching the ALB, we saw the loading bay. So I thought it was a “U” flow which eventually I found out it was a through flow.

We headed upstairs for a talk by a representative from ST Logistics. During the presentation and video, it wasn’t hard to understand the terms used since we’re familiar with them in books. They’ve categorized all items appropriately into general supplies, armaments, medical supplies, etc.

We started exploring the whole warehouse with a leader guiding us and providing us with explanation throughout the whole journey.

I was impressed by the ASRS system and the vertical carousel system. The ASRS was really fast that caught me staring at it while the picker packed and placed it in the bin to be placed into their respective locations. Having read from the book, the carousel system is expensive and are usually used for medical supplies, with the concept of parts-to-picker, we found out that the machine was easy to use and the warehouse that level was air conditioned! Mainly, air con was installed to allow the medical supplies to not be contaminated due to changes in temperature as well as to prolong the life of the supplies.

As any other warehouse, safety is one of the main concerns. Like the carousel system, a sensor was placed that even we found out that the whole system would stop once sensed. The guy at the system told us it was “dumb-proof”. So people who aren’t that smart can also operate that costly system! Technicians would be ready for them 24hr and contracts have been signed that they’ve to reach at most 1 or 2 hours upon request.

Staffs that are in the ST Logistics are also required to report within 4hours when they’re notified to reach at any point in time.

Through the trip, I finally found the difference and distinguish a “u” flow and a through flow. :)
It certainly was an enjoyable trip together with people from our course. It was a good platform for us to bond as well as to learn, just like the Korea trip earlier on. More trips! It certainly would aid us in this subject. Cheerios!