Ambient storage is a type of warehousing that stores goods at room temperature without specific climate controls. It provides a suitable environment for non-perishable products that don't need to be stored in cold or freezing temperatures but still require protection from temperature fluctuations.

While ambient warehousing offers great versatility, it's not without its challenges. These include managing a large inventory of different product types and controlling factors like humidity and pest problems.

Our insider's guide explores ambient storage, its use cases, and challenges. We also offer expert tips and discuss how Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) can help warehouse operators, inventory specialists, and eCommerce businesses optimize this type of storage.

What Is Warehouse Ambient Storage?

Ambient storage in warehousing refers to storing goods at room temperature (typically between 15°C and 25°C) without refrigeration or climate control.

A wide variety of products can be safely housed in ambient warehouses, including:

• Packaged foods and beverages
• Many paper products  
• Certain textiles  
• Electronics  
• Appliances  
• Industrial supplies  

The benefits of this solution include:

• Cost-effectiveness since it doesn't require cold storage equipment.  
• Versatility to store diverse product types in one space.  
• Energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.  

Ambient Storage vs Temperature-Controlled Storage

There is a clear distinction between ambient storage and more actively climate-controlled storage and refrigeration.

• ‍Refrigerated storage (chilled storage) typically ranges from 2°C to 8°C and is used for items like dairy, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals.  
• ‍Frozen storage maintains cold temperatures of below -18°C to preserve products like meat, seafood, and other frozen foods for long-term use.  
• ‍Ultra-cold storage solutions operate at even lower temperatures to store certain vaccines and lab samples.  

Common Uses and Industries That Rely on Ambient Storage

Some common industries and product types that benefit from room-temperature storage include:

• ‍Retail and eCommerce: Clothing, toys, pet supplies, books, games, stationery, non-perishable hygiene and cleaning products.  
• ‍Food industry: Non-perishable items like dry goods (such as cereals) and canned foods/beverages.  
• ‍Electronics: Many consumer electronics that are not sensitive to temperature changes, such as gaming consoles, computers, microwaves, televisions, monitors, cameras, and audio equipment.  
• ‍Manufacturing: Raw materials, manufacturing parts, and equipment.  
• ‍Furniture: Most household and office furniture items, such as desks, cabinets, lounge suites, and tables.

‍

‍

Challenges Businesses Face With Ambient Storage

Ambient storage presents several challenges that, if not handled well, can impact product quality and operational efficiency.

Space Utilization

It’s crucial to use your available warehouse space effectively. Poor layout and organization mean wasted capacity and potential. It makes it harder to access and pick products, plus it pushes up operational costs.

Stock Visibility and Organization

In a large warehouse with multiple product types, it's difficult to track and organize inventories if you lack proper systems and tools. Without smart visibility and efficient organization:

• Stock picking is sub-optimal.  
• Items can be misplaced.  
• Overall efficiency suffers.  

Pest Control

An ambient storage facility can be susceptible to pests, such as rodents, beetles, and flies, which can cause spoilage. Birds may also build nests in the internal roofing, and their droppings can cause additional issues.

Environmental Factors

Good ambient warehousing is not just about temperature control; it extends to controlling the larger storage environment. Humidity and dampness are particular problems to guard against. Additional costs may be necessary to mitigate such factors.

Diverse Product Categories

Managing a wide variety of products under one roof can be challenging. Some products are more temperature-sensitive, while others are susceptible to moisture. Different categories necessitate different storage methods, including racked and bulk storage options.

Compliance With Regulations

Depending on your industry, you may need to comply with specific regulations regarding storage conditions, labeling, and inventory management.

There are often product-specific storage guidelines to follow, such as packaging requirements for certain electronics.

‍

‍

Practical Tips for Optimizing Ambient Storage

Organize Inventory With Clear Categorization

To optimize ambient storage, pay attention to how you organize and categorize your inventory:

• Group items based on similar characteristics, such as type, size, or usage.  
• Label each category clearly and store items together.  
• Use vertical space effectively with racking and shelving systems.  
• Implement a logical layout, such as keeping high-demand items in accessible areas.  
• Maintain an inventory management system to track stock levels and movements.  

Regularly Monitor Storage Conditions

Be sure to stay on top of your storage conditions via regular monitoring:

• Conduct routine inspections for signs of rodents, pests, and birds’ nests.  
• Be vigilant about cleanliness and dampness.  
• Ensure temperature and humidity are maintained at proper levels.  
• Employ sensors and automated systems to monitor conditions and alert you to any deviation.  

Use Efficient Picking Strategies

Efficient order-picking strategies minimize errors and labor costs while improving customer service:

• Consider batch or zone picking for high-demand products.  
• Design picking routes to optimize fast retrieval.  
• Employ a pick-to-light system or handheld devices for real-time accuracy.

Implement FIFO, LIFO, or FEFO practices

Reduce the risk of outdated stock by rotating inventory effectively.

Adopt a suitable inventory management practice, such as:

• FIFO (First In, First Out), where the oldest stock is dispatched first. This methodology reduces the risk of product expiration or obsolescence.
• FEFO (First Expired, First Out) ensures that products with the nearest expiration date are picked and shipped first, regardless of when they were received.
• LIFO (Last In, First Out) involves dispatching the most recently received items first. This can be used for non-perishable goods and is often applied for accounting benefits.

Matching your inventory method with your warehouse layout boosts performance further. For example, you could store newer goods (last in) at the front of the warehouse to reduce pickers' travel times when using LIFO.

Adopt a warehouse management system

The right Warehouse Management System (WMS) offers tremendous performance benefits to ambient warehouses. Consider advantages such as:

• Improved inventory accuracy: Streamlining inventory management through real-time tracking and updates to support exceptional order fulfilment.
• Automated processes: Integrated with temperature control systems to maintain the optimal room temperature environment.
• Improved workflows: Features like barcode scanning, and picking and packing aids enable faster picking and dispatch.
• Multichannel integrations: WMS allows the integration of multiple distribution channels, providing you with full inventory visibility.
• Ending reliance on staff knowledge: User-friendly management tools and systems mean you no longer rely on staff knowledge to navigate and operate optimally.

How a WMS Can Enhance Ambient Storage Efficiency

A Warehouse Management System (WMS), like StoreFeeder, provides essential tools to streamline and improve warehouse processes and efficiencies.

StoreFeeder helps you introduce smart automation to your ambient (or temperature-controlled) storage space. For example, automated optimisation tools empower precise stock replenishment, ensuring you always have the right inventory levels without surplus carrying costs. We can also help you improve workflows with barcoding and picking and packing tools, ensuring swift, accurate despatch.

With advanced inventory tracking, you gain greater real-time visibility. Specifically, immediate updates of stock levels and locations facilitate higher levels of control and reduce reliance on manual checks. This visibility also extends across channels. So, businesses with multiple distribution channels can manage all inventory activities from a centralised control.

In addition, our reporting features provide a comprehensive overview of your inventory activities. You gain actionable analytics to inform better storage strategies. You can also identify trends and use incisive insights to raise performance—not just in the warehouse but across your entire supply chain.

‍

FAQs

Is ambient storage the same as dry storage?

While dry storage is usually ambient, not all ambient storage is dry (some environments may have higher humidity levels).

• Ambient storage involves storing goods at an ambient temperature range of 15°C to 25°C, without active climate control.
• Dry storage focuses on ensuring the internal air stays dry to keep products free from moisture. It is often used for grains, powdered goods, and paper products.

Does ambient storage lower your carbon footprint?

Ambient storage does not necessarily lower your carbon footprint in and of itself. However, it requires less energy compared to refrigeration or temperature-controlled environments. In turn, this reduced electricity consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions make it a lower carbon footprint storage option.

How do businesses decide if an ambient storage facility is right for them?

When deciding on ambient storage, businesses should consider:

• Product temperature requirements, eg. frozen foods are a non-starter
• Storage duration
• Cost constraints
• Other environmental factors like humidity

Conclusion

Ambient storage provides a cost-effective solution for storing a wide range of products. By implementing effective storage strategies and leveraging a Warehouse Management System, warehouse operators and eCommerce owners can significantly improve inventory control and efficiency.

Book a demo today to see how StoreFeeder can help optimize your warehouse operations!