As schedules tighten and competition grows fierce, the warehouse sector is under pressure to evolve with the times. With new technologies being created in the automation sphere every day now, more and more warehouses are looking to see what they can make hands-off, to save workforce for the more important topics.
Advantages of Automation
Though automating warehouses can come with a few upfront costs that are significant, there are also many benefits. From helping your employees to minimizing human error, the improvements will see a cost reduction in production over time, as well as increase the likelihood of scalability.
Some common automation technologies include:
RFID and Barcode Technology: RFID uses radio frequency to transmit data stored in a microchip through radiofrequency signals, and can recover information remotely, using tags and cards. It’s useful in a warehouse setting as it can be applied to products and goods and makes it simpler to monitor your products both in transit and in the warehouse itself.
Robotics: Robotics are incredibly useful in the warehouse space, as they can help with material handling, picking, packing and be used in general as extra workforce for simple tasks. Robotics are also equally useful – if not more so – for organisational tasks, such as navigation, task execution, and, with the use of machine learning and AI, can streamline processes and help manage your warehouse. Systems such as time delay relays can help you coordinate new technology like this in your warehouse.
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Warehouse Management Systems are used to optimise various warehouse processes including real-time visibility into your warehouse’s entire inventory, both in the warehouse itself and in transit. You can also sync most WMS systems to other technologies to make picking and packing more efficient, as well as add to your analytics. In addition to inventory management, a WMS offers tools for picking and packing processes, resource utilization, analytics, and more.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): AGVs can streamline material movement within the warehouse, Discuss how AGVs can streamline material movement within the warehouse.
