Maximize Storage. Minimize Picking Time. Optimize Every Square Meter.
E-commerce and distribution centers benefit from our space optimization solutions that reduce picking time, maximize storage capacity, and adapt to seasonal demand changes without facility expansion.
Strategic Duo Portrait
Owner B (foreground) in "Approachable Lean" + Owner A (background) in "Power Cross"
Modern office, city bokeh, beauty lighting, direct eye contact
Who Are Our Services For?
E-Commerce Fulfillment Centers
High-velocity warehouses processing thousands of daily orders with diverse SKUs, rapid turnover, and pressure to ship same-day or next-day.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers
Multi-client warehouses managing shared space, varying SLAs, and different inventory profiles—all under one roof with maximum efficiency.
Wholesale & Distribution Centers
Regional distribution hubs managing bulk inbound shipments, break-bulk operations, and outbound delivery staging for retail or B2B customers.
Pharmaceutical & Cold-Chain Warehouses
Temperature-controlled facilities with strict regulatory requirements, batch traceability, FIFO/FEFO compliance, and high-value inventory management.
Automotive Parts Warehouses
Facilities managing tens of thousands of SKUs with vastly different sizes—from tiny fasteners to large body panels—requiring precise slotting and kitting optimization.
Retail Backstock & Omnichannel Fulfillment
Stores and micro-fulfillment centers balancing in-store replenishment, online order picking, and returns processing in limited physical space.
The Reality in Warehouse Operations
Most warehouses assign items to slots based on where there's space available at the moment of receipt. Over time, this creates chaos: fast-moving items end up in far corners, related products are scattered across the facility, and pickers walk kilometers per shift unnecessarily.
Warehouse managers know their layout isn't optimal, but re-slotting an entire warehouse manually is overwhelming. Without data-driven analysis, it's impossible to know which changes will actually improve throughput and which will just create new problems.
Pickers walk unnecessary kilometers because fast-movers are poorly placed
Vertical space is wasted while the warehouse "runs out of room"
Frequently co-ordered products are stored on opposite ends of the facility
Seasonal demand shifts make current slotting inefficient for months at a time
Why Virtual Optima?
We apply mathematical optimization to warehouse slotting and layout—transforming how your facility uses space and how your pickers move through it.
"The Architect" Pose
Owner A, Technical Lead - The Architect
Direct gaze, hands on laptop, organized algorithm display, clean workspace
Data-Driven Slotting
We analyze your actual order data, pick frequencies, and co-purchase patterns to calculate the mathematically optimal placement for every SKU.
3D Space Optimization
Our models consider height, weight, shelf capacity, and ergonomics—maximizing cubic utilization, not just floor space.
Seasonal Adaptability
We provide dynamic re-slotting recommendations before demand shifts, so your warehouse is always optimized for what's selling now, not six months ago.
Measurable Efficiency Gains
Every recommendation comes with projected impact: reduced pick time, increased capacity, lower labor cost per order. You see the ROI before you move a single pallet.
Practical Examples from the Industry
Optimization Solutions in Action
Challenge: Picking Distance Waste
Popular items stored far from packing stations means workers walk miles daily just to fulfill orders.
Solution
We analyze order patterns and place high-velocity items closest to packing areas, minimizing travel for your most frequent picks.
Results
- <span class='hand-drawn-highlight variant-3'>35% reduction</span> in picking time
- <span class='hand-drawn-highlight variant-1'>€450K annual</span> labor savings
- Workers walk 40% less per shift
- Faster order fulfillment
Expert Note: Most systems miss optimizations like this because they don't account for multiple constraints simultaneously.
Challenge: Wasted Vertical Space
Large items sit on bottom shelves while light, small items occupy premium eye-level spots—inefficient use of cubic capacity.
Solution
Our optimizer assigns items to slots based on size, weight, and picking frequency, maximizing 3D space utilization throughout your warehouse.
Results
- <span class='hand-drawn-highlight variant-2'>23% increase</span> in storage capacity
- No need for warehouse expansion
- Proper weight distribution for safety
- Accommodates 50% inventory growth
Expert Note: Most systems miss optimizations like this because they don't account for multiple constraints simultaneously.
Challenge: Co-Located Items
Products often ordered together are stored far apart, forcing workers to traverse the entire warehouse per order.
Solution
We group frequently co-purchased items in the same zones, so related products are picked together in one efficient trip.
Results
- <span class='hand-drawn-highlight variant-3'>40% faster</span> multi-item order picking
- Reduced errors from complex routing
- Higher orders per hour per worker
- Improved order accuracy
Expert Note: Most systems miss optimizations like this because they don't account for multiple constraints simultaneously.
Challenge: Seasonal Demand Shifts
Holiday items take up prime space year-round, while seasonal products occupy wrong zones during peak demand periods.
Solution
Our system recommends dynamic slotting adjustments based on demand forecasts, moving seasonal items to optimal locations before peak periods.
Results
- Proactive seasonal repositioning
- No bottlenecks during peak seasons
- Maintained efficiency year-round
- Adaptive to market changes
Expert Note: Most systems miss optimizations like this because they don't account for multiple constraints simultaneously.
Let's Work Together!
From initial analysis to an optimized warehouse layout – a clear, proven process.
"The Welcome" Pose
Owner B, Business Expert
Seated, leaning forward, warm meeting space with coffee - inviting & accessible
Initial Consultation
We analyze your warehouse layout, order profiles, current slotting, and operational pain points. We identify where optimization delivers the greatest impact.
Modelling
We build a mathematical model of your warehouse—zones, shelves, SKUs, pick frequencies, and constraints—and calculate the optimal slotting strategy.
Implementation & Testing
We provide a detailed re-slotting plan, support the physical transition, and measure results against baseline performance.
Optimization & Support
Ongoing re-slotting recommendations as your product mix and demand patterns evolve, ensuring sustained efficiency.
Typical Project Timeline
Initial results within 2-4 weeks | Full implementation in 6-8 weeks
FAQ
Everything you need to know about warehouse optimization.
How disruptive is a re-slotting project?
We design phased implementation plans that minimize disruption. Critical items are moved during low-volume periods, and the transition can be spread over days or weeks depending on your operations.
What data do you need from our WMS?
We need SKU master data, order history (ideally 6–12 months), current slot assignments, and warehouse layout dimensions. We work with standard WMS exports and guide you through data preparation.
How often should we re-optimize our slotting?
We recommend quarterly reviews for most warehouses, with additional adjustments before known seasonal peaks. Our system makes this an ongoing, low-effort process rather than a one-time project.
Can you optimize a warehouse we haven't built yet?
Yes. We can design optimal layouts and slotting strategies for greenfield warehouses based on projected inventory profiles and order patterns—getting it right from day one.
Does this work for small warehouses too?
Absolutely. Even warehouses with 500–1,000 SKUs see significant improvements. The principles of slotting optimization apply regardless of scale.
What does the collaboration cost?
Pricing depends on your warehouse size, SKU count, and whether you need one-time optimization or ongoing re-slotting support. Contact us for a transparent, tailored quote.
Still have questions?
We're happy to discuss your specific optimization challenges in detail.
Schedule a ConsultationReady to get more out of your warehouse—without expanding?
Tell us about your warehouse operations. We'll show you how slotting optimization can reduce picking time, increase capacity, and lower your cost per order.
"We personally assess every warehouse optimization challenge within 24 hours"
— Tim & Reto
"The Partner Guarantee"
Both owners side-by-side
Direct eye contact, warm sincere smiles, standing tall - radical accountability