A guide to warehouse automation solutions and their benefits

Warehouse automation is widely publicised as the most effective way to boost return on investment (ROI) – reducing labour, enhancing accuracy and improving efficiency and safety. This article explains what warehouse automation is and details the various types of automation technologies used in warehouses.

What is warehouse automation?

Warehouse automation is the process of automating the movement of inventory into, within and out of warehouses with minimal human assistance. Warehouse automation systems come in many varied forms and include machines and robots designed to speed up warehouse processes.

Complete warehouse automation entails automating a variety of elements, from software systems and storage & retrieval methods to pick, pack and despatch operations.

A business can eliminate labour intensive duties that involve repetitive physical work and manual data entry and analysis with warehouse automation technology. Companies can take advantage of the accuracy of machines, their speed of operation, as well as their ability to work continuously, without fatigue for many hours.

Types of warehouse automation technologies

Mechanical warehouse solutions

• Goods-to-person warehouse technologies: Goods-to-person (GTP) solutions usually deploy machines that deliver materials to product assemblers or packers. Goods-to-person fulfilment is one of the most popular methods for increasing efficiency and reducing congestion. GTP solutions include conveyor systems, carousels and verticle lift systems, which move material around or along assembly lines and throughout the warehouse to storage locations. When intelligently applied these systems can double or triple the speed of warehouse picking.

 

• Automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) systems: These are also a form of GTP technology, high volume warehouse applications with space constraints tend to utilise these systems. They include material-carrying vehicles, totes shuttles and mini-loaders to store and retrieve materials or products.

 

• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): These are used in large, simple warehouse environments with minimal human traffic. These vehicles use magnetic strips, wires or sensors to navigate a fixed path through a warehouse.

 

Physical warehouse automation solutions

Robots are examples of physical automation technology in a warehouse. Physical automation minimises staff movement and creates more efficient workflows.  Robots and humans now work together in many warehouses to accomplish repetitive tasks while minimising fatigue and injury.

• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): These can safely navigate around dynamic warehouse environments with lots of human traffic. They use GPS systems to create effective routes through a specific warehouse, using advanced laser guidance systems to detect obstacles.

Digital warehouse automation solutions

In many cases, warehouse automation does not require physical or robotic automation, but simply uses software to replace manual tasks. Digital automation uses data and software to reduce manual workflows.

An example of digital automation in the warehouse is automatic identification and data capture (AIDC). AIDC technology can enhance the worker experience, improve customer service and reduce operational costs associated with human error. AIDC is a broad category of technologies used to collect information from an individual, object, image or sound without manual data entry.  AIDC systems are used to manage inventory, delivery, assets, security and documents.

Picking and sortation system solutions that use AIDC technology

• Pick-to-light systems: These systems can dramatically reduce walking and searching time as well as human error in high volume situations. They use barcodes and LED lights to help workers locate the correct items to fulfil orders.

 

• Voice picking and tasking: These communication technology systems create optimised pick paths to direct workers to where they need to pick or to store products. The technology uses speech recognition combined with mobile headsets. This method eliminates the need for handheld devices such as RF scanners and improves efficiency and safety.

 

• Automated Sortation Systems: These are used in order fulfilment for receiving, picking packing and shipping. Sortation is the process of identifying items on a conveyor system and diverting them to warehouse locations using RFID, barcode scanners and sensors.

 

Experts in warehouse automation

At AMH Material Handling, we take an innovative approach to optimise the storage, preparation and dispatch of goods in warehouses. From simple conveying systems through to ‘goods to person’ picking and despatch sortation solutions, our goal is to maximise the efficiency of your operation.

Warehouse automation is no longer reserved for the elite of the industry. A key stage is identifying the need for warehouse automation. There’s no one size fits all approach.

Whatever your warehouse automation needs, we have the knowledge and experience to work with you to create the solution that will deliver the best returns for your business. Just take a look at our case studies to see how the installation of warehouse automation systems has helped a diverse range of businesses.

To learn more please contact AMH Material Handling for an informal, no obligations chat with one of our specialist engineers.