I think it can work. Many records centers are shifting away from the
traditional rivet rack dedicated records storage racking and moving to
the more universal pallet rack style racking. This doesn't mean that
boxes are stored on pallets, though.

So, if you are building a new facility, then you can spec standard
racking throughout, with certain aisles set for palletized material and
other aisles set for boxed storage. Many of these facilities utilize
order pickers instead of ladders for the box storage aisles.

Generally, inventory management systems operate differently than
records storage systems. Inventory management tends to look at
Stock-keeping Units (SKUs) instead of unique item identifiers (box
numbers). But as long as the allocation of storage is clearly defined,
there is no inherent reason that the two systems cannot co-exist.

As others have noted, you don't want to be storing flammable or
hazardous material in your warehouse. You also want to be somewhat
persnickety about housekeeping.

Benefits include: higher utilization of equipment; better justification
of space costs; cross-training opportunities for staff.

Risks include: Arguments over space allocations; availability of
equipment; resource allocation; security.

I would tend to downplay the security issues. A well-run warehouse will
have the same level of security as a records center. The physical
assets have a quantifiable value and no one wants shrinkage in that
area. Unauthorized personnel should not be taking things from inventory
management in a well-run operation.

Patrick Cunningham, CRM



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