Optimize Warehouse Operations With Data

Introduction: Data-Driven Warehousing in E-commerce

The rapid growth of e-commerce in Central and Eastern Europe has brought new challenges to warehousing and logistics. Companies like GBA Beam have demonstrated that leveraging advanced data integration platforms, such as Keboola, can dramatically improve warehouse efficiency, cost management, and workforce optimization. This section provides an in-depth exploration of how data, when properly connected and analyzed, leads to smarter decisions and a competitive edge.

Key Challenges in Modern Warehouse Operations

• Scaling logistics for rapid growth: Meeting increasing demands as business expands.
• Managing large teams: Overseeing hundreds of employees with varying shifts and productivity.
• Controlling operational costs: Identifying inefficiencies and optimizing spending in real time.
• Integrating disparate systems: Bringing together data from devices, workforce management, accounting, and warehouse automation.

The Keboola Approach to Data Integration

Keboola acts as a central data hub, connecting sources such as time tracking (turnstile systems), picker apps, warehouse devices, and accounting software. It automates data gathering, transformation, and analysis, providing actionable insights for managers and executives.

1. Data Collection: Every action in the warehouse, from employee check-in to item picking, is tracked via devices and apps. Data points include entry times, work hours, picking progress, and item scans.
2. Integration: Keboola aggregates data from various sources—turnstiles, conveyor systems, picker devices, and ERP/accounting systems—into a unified platform.
3. Transformation & Automation: Automated workflows clean, enrich, and structure data for analysis. For example, calculating wage KPIs, cost per order, or efficiency metrics per department.
4. Visualization & Reporting: Real-time dashboards allow warehouse managers to monitor performance, costs, and workforce metrics at a glance.

Example: The GBA Beam Warehouse Workflow

Let’s walk through a typical GBA Beam warehouse process using Keboola:

• Employee Onboarding: Employees check in via a turnstile. This triggers a data point for time tracking and payroll.
• Device Assignment: Employees receive Android-based picking devices, log in via QR code, and receive task instructions.
• Task Tracking: Every action—order selection, item scan, box placement on conveyor—is logged and timestamped.
• Performance Monitoring: Keboola aggregates these events to measure efficiency per employee, station, and department.
• Cost Calculation: The system integrates with accounting to determine cost per minute, cost per order, and department-level KPIs.

Deep Dive: Real-Time Efficiency and Cost Control

Traditional warehouses struggle with delayed reporting and opaque costs. With Keboola, data flows in real time, enabling:

• Daily wage KPI calculation: Work hours and output are linked to payroll, allowing managers to control labor costs dynamically.
• Cost breakdown by order: For instance, inbound logistics might cost €0.50 per package, picking €1.00, and outbound €0.50, with a total order cost of €2.00.
• Departmental comparisons: Managers quickly spot which sub-departments are underperforming or exceeding benchmarks.

Benefits of Keboola in Warehouse Operations

1. Increased Transparency: Managers see exactly where resources go and where bottlenecks occur.
2. Faster Decision-Making: Real-time data enables immediate adjustments—reassigning staff, changing workflows, or investigating anomalies.
3. Cost Optimization: Detailed cost-per-task data uncovers savings opportunities and improves profit margins.
4. Workforce Accountability: Employees’ performances are tracked, motivating better productivity and fairer payroll management.
5. Scalability: As the business grows, data integration workflows scale seamlessly, supporting new warehouses, devices, and processes.

Integration With Existing Systems

Keboola is flexible and connects with a wide range of existing warehouse technologies:

• Turnstile and time tracking systems
• Warehouse management systems (WMS)
• Picker and scanner apps (Android, iOS, handheld devices)
• Accounting and ERP solutions

This versatility means Keboola adapts to your current tech stack, reducing the need for costly replacements or manual data entry.

Real Results: GBA Beam’s Journey

GBA Beam grew from zero to €200 million in revenue within a decade, driven by a relentless focus on data-driven logistics. Key outcomes included:

• Consistent reduction in cost per order and per package
• Improved employee productivity metrics
• Real-time cost and efficiency reporting for all warehouse operations
• Quicker onboarding and training with device-integrated workflows

How to Get Started With Keboola

1. Identify data sources: Map out all devices, systems, and software generating warehouse data.
2. Connect systems: Use Keboola’s connectors and APIs to centralize data flows.
3. Automate workflows: Set up transformation pipelines to clean and analyze data automatically.
4. Build dashboards: Visualize key metrics for daily monitoring and decision support.
5. Iterate and optimize: Continuously refine processes based on insights from real-time data.

Common Use Cases for Warehouse Data Integration

• Labor cost optimization: Adjust staffing based on performance and real-time demand.
• Order fulfillment tracking: Monitor every step of the picking and shipping process.
• Inventory accuracy: Use device scans and real-time updates to reduce errors.
• Process bottleneck detection: Identify and resolve slowdowns before they impact SLAs.
• Payroll automation: Integrate time tracking for accurate wage calculations.

Security and Compliance

Keboola prioritizes data security and compliance, supporting GDPR requirements and industry best practices for protecting employee and customer data. All data transfers are encrypted, with granular access controls and audit trails.

Why Choose Keboola?

• Proven results: Used by leading e-commerce brands across Europe.
• Flexible integration: Works with virtually any warehouse technology stack.
• Low-code/no-code operation: Empower your team to build and iterate on workflows without heavy IT involvement.
• Actionable insights: Transform raw data into real business value—faster decisions, lower costs, and higher efficiency.
• Scalable for growth: Supports multi-warehouse, multi-country operations as your business expands.

Conclusion: Transform Your Warehouse Today

Integrating your warehouse data with Keboola unlocks new levels of efficiency, transparency, and profitability. Whether you’re a fast-growing e-commerce brand or an established logistics leader, Keboola’s platform helps you adapt, scale, and lead with confidence in a data-driven world.