4 Advantages of Warehouse Automation System
4 Advantages of Warehouse Automation System
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| Warehouse Automation System Photo: wikipedia.org |
Advances in technology have shown the importance of low cost bearings. This helps businesses meet supply chain requirements and eliminates manual processes. Thus, setting up automation systems in warehouses is no longer a problem for big players like Amazon, Alibaba or Ikea. This is also important for small businesses.
What needs to be automated in the warehouse?
Two processes can be automated in your warehouse they include:
Take a decision. It involves the computerization of all decisions related to storage locations, collection processes and the automatic optimization of resources.
Movement of goods. Automation of machines that move goods from one area to another.
Types of warehouse automation
Barcode and scan labels. The warehouse should have accurate documentation, as this helps management track inventory. Thus, labeling and barcode scanning will help you minimize errors and increase the efficiency of your warehouse management.
Computerized recovery process. Picking up items from the warehouse can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially when done manually. However, the process can be seamless if you install an integrated shelving system or use a robot.
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV). Each warehouse must have tools such as forklifts. You can increase efficiency by using pallets and self-propelled forklifts. Without supervision or guidance, these AGVs improve the flow of goods, even in congested environments. You have the option of navigating the building without a driver or guide.
Computerization of the back office. Automated warehouses have the advantage of being able to simultaneously access data from a warehouse management system (WMS). It also eliminates risks such as double entry that can disrupt supply chain processes. Therefore, automating your inventory and back office helps these departments work as a team to ensure inventory data is in sync.
inventory automation. It has a higher potential to reduce errors resulting from data entry and transcription. Manual processes can disrupt operations and contribute to inconsistent inventory processes.
Advantages of warehouse automation
| No | Advantages of warehouse automation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reduce operating costs |
| 2 | Improve efficiency and accuracy |
| 3 | Create additional space |
| 4 | Improve security |
1. Reduce operating costs
Automation eliminates the reliance on manual labor in warehouse operations. Take Alibaba's smart warehouse, for example, where 60 robots help move goods. This reduces the number of warehouse workers by up to 70%. Additionally, automation eliminates overtime during peak periods to maintain demand, as the machine can run all season at no additional cost.
Additionally, costs and processing times are reduced as robust integration and barcode scanning improve the picking and packing of goods in warehouses. This increases productivity and processing costs as less time is spent on unnecessary administrative processes.
2. Improve efficiency and accuracy
Automating a warehouse involves using a barcode scanner to scan items and their locations, enabling rapid inventory updates. This reduces selection errors that often occur when an employee manually enters a barcode number into the system. The warehouse management system notifies supervisors when an incorrect item is scanned or removed from inventory.
Therefore, the wrong item cannot be delivered to the customer. Digitizing products improves the receiving process by synchronizing them with orders and increasing wait times. This minimizes errors that can result from double data entry. Automation connects multiple departments such as order management systems and accounting data. This ensures that your finances, inventory, and orders are updated automatically.
3. Create additional space
Automation helps you expand your storage space without building another structure. This improves inventory control and increases productivity, keeping your shipments organized. You can save space by sliding more shelves up, saving you from increasing your floor space.
Second, you can automate the collection and movement of goods around the store with robotic carousels and automatic elevators. When an item is removed from the warehouse, it is automatically replaced by a warehouse lifter, allowing the logistics team to track every item in the warehouse, regardless of size.
4. Improve security
If you have a warehouse management system, all employees serving the premises must enter all transactions with their profiles. These requirements create an audit trail that ties each activity to a specific person. Thus, automation increases liability, which reduces theft. Second, automation separates high-value goods from hazardous materials in warehouses. Therefore, in the event of an accident, you can use an automated system to minimize the damage. It also boosts the morale of floor managers because they know where each item is and can find it if lost. This minimizes access to reports and analytics by unauthorized individuals, which can lead to leaking company secrets and losing competitive advantage. Plus, smooth operation increases productivity and eliminates the risk of using questionable equipment or lifting objects incorrectly, resulting in injury and death.
Summarize
Warehouse automation systems are very important to improve the movement of goods. Thus, a well-designed warehouse management platform increases the profitability and success of your business. This reduces costs because fewer employees are needed to manage the warehouse and increases efficiency by reducing incorrect stock pickings or entering incorrect barcodes.
Computerization increases the security of your warehouse because each transaction is entered into the system with a unique personal number, thus creating an audit trail. Computerizing your warehouse allows you to save space because the shelves can be raised to hold more items. You can use a guided forklift to pick up items from upper shelves. This move will increase efficiency as you will be able to deliver very quickly and therefore meet customer expectations.
