Warehouse automation technology fosters logistical conditions that are productive, efficient, and safe. Adopting automated solutions and warehouse management software improves a facility’s output and removes the risk of mistakes in operations.
Robotized storage, internal transport, and control systems capable of moving items in a facility without human interaction are examples of automation technologies used in warehousing. These automated solutions are coordinated using a sophisticated software program like a warehouse management system (WMS).
Warehouse automation enables the creation of smart warehouses that utilize digital and automated technologies to increase efficiency in logistical processes such as goods receiving, product slotting, and order picking.
Warehouse technology is used in the logistics industry to provide facilities with technologies that increase production and efficiency. These technological solutions improve accuracy in inventory management, order fulfillment, and internal warehouse movement of items.
Here are examples of warehouse technologies that order fulfillment companies like First Mile utilize to boost efficiency.
Automation and robotics
Robotics is a multidisciplinary engineering and scientific field that deals with designing, building, operating, and using robots that may be taught to execute manual warehouse activities. On the other hand, warehouse automation is a collection of procedures that can be completed independently with little or no human help.
Since the warehouse is full of repetitive, process-oriented, and error-prone procedures, robots and automation are critical technologies for streamlining operations. They may take over monotonous duties from people, resulting in a more consistent, efficient, and accurate warehouse operation.
Moreover, it may enhance staff engagement and retention rates by transferring repetitive and tedious duties to robots, making warehouse employees feel more satisfied and efficient while addressing various operational jobs.
Internet Of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of linked physical things that may range from computers to non-computer objects with sensors implanted. They build an ecosystem of smart objects to collect and share real-time data.
This new generation of linked devices gives enterprises more visibility in all aspects of the warehouse, from receiving to shipping. Moreover, the application of IoT may range from monitoring the health of machinery or infrastructure to tracking the movement and use of assets across the facility utilizing sensors.
Predictive Analytics and Business Intelligence
Business intelligence is a system that gathers, analyzes, and provides historical and current data in a concise and easy-to-understand style. This simplifies decision-makers understanding of company data and allows them to make timely and informed judgments.
Predictive Analytics, on the other hand, is a technology that employs a variety of approaches, including statistics, data mining, artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, and machine learning, to identify patterns and trends in existing data and anticipate future outcomes.
Since warehouses create a great quantity of data, these technologies may assist in analyzing and converting the acquired data into insights. Based on data obtained from warehouse operations, Business Intelligence generates aggregated reports and real-time dashboards. On the other hand, predictive analytics can anticipate warehouse performance within a particular degree of tolerance utilizing previous and current data.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
AGVs are portable devices that navigate themselves using floor stickers, radio waves, vision cameras, cables, magnets, or lasers. The warehouse often uses this technology to carry raw materials, work-in-progress, and completed items. Moreover, AGVs are outfitted with GPS, allowing operators to precisely guide the vehicle to where it needs to pick up or drop off its cargo.
AGV-equipped warehouses are much more efficient than conventional warehouses since they can semi-automate tedious and time-consuming jobs and procedures. AGVs can work 24/7 and on-demand at a steady pace and accuracy, in addition to semi-automating warehouse procedures, since they are not handled by people.
Wearable and mobile technologies
Mobile and wearable technologies are tiny computer devices worn or carried by a person, allowing them to transmit and receive information from anywhere in the warehouse. Picking, packaging, loading, and other warehouse procedures benefit from employing these technologies.
Using mobile and wearable technology in the warehouse improves operational efficiency by removing the need to go to a workstation, reducing trip time. Moreover, accessing real-time data regardless of location helps warehouse personnel make educated business choices faster.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger system that verifies and permanently connects (or chains) blocks of transaction data from relevant parties. The different parties share this transaction database, making the system distributed rather than centralized. Because of this dispersed approach to data management, this technology is a favored platform for protecting data and increasing accountability in a warehouse while making information readily available.
Collaboration and openness are constrained throughout the supply chain, which includes the warehouse, due to the multiple organizations participating in a transaction that might purposefully modify the integrity of the data.
The advantage of blockchain is that it may connect these disparate institutions under a single data platform, facilitating communication, increasing transparency, and strengthening data security. Moreover, since blockchain is safe and hard to hack, the data infrastructure may be utilized as a credible source of historical data, instilling responsibility for all parties involved.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI technology allows robots to do human-like functions such as decision-making, voice recognition, spatial awareness, and visual perception. To do this, AI uses machine learning algorithms and statistical models to handle large volumes of data.
AI is being employed on a big scale in different sectors, including warehousing, using common techniques such as web-based AI chatbots. This warehouse technology lets businesses answer customer problems with little or no human involvement, lowering expenses related to the workforce necessary for customer care.
AI may also be used to semi-automate warehousing activities. For example, AI may simplify the restocking process by automatically allocating replenishment jobs to warehouse staff based on inventory levels and projected demand.
In conclusion, the warehouse technologies outlined above are assisting warehouses in becoming more efficient, cost-effective, and productive. By incorporating them into your warehouse operations, you will be better positioned to meet the growing demands caused by eCommerce and better serve your consumers.
