E-Commerce companies are trying to find ways to optimize their warehouses with minimal staff burnout. Warehouse automation.

What is warehouse automation exactly? Imagine a robot-free warehouse, where humans are only an afterthought. Not quite. The truth is that companies use made robots, sensors, or other AI equipment to accomplish time-consuming tasks which would otherwise have been done by humans. Warehouse automation is intended to reduce the time and efficiency required for fulfillment, as opposed to having people do them at a slower rate. These robots optimize warehouse space, and can also improve company workflow. This leaves more space for humans to develop in other areas. Warehouse automation automates tedious tasks quickly and efficiently so that manual workers don’t have to do all the work.

Common Types for Warehouse Automation Fulfillment

There are several types of warehouse automation. And, as you can see from the name, not all warehouses have the same capabilities. These are just a few of the most commonly used types.

Goods-to-person (GTP)

GTP automation often includes conveyors, vertical liftings, and carousels, which can increase fulfillment speed by up to twice.

Automatic Guided Vehicles

AGV automation makes use of wires, magnetic strips, or sensors to navigate warehouses. This type automation is best suited for warehouses with an open layout and minimal nooks and crannies.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

AMRs, which are extremely flexible, are one of the most common types of warehouse automation. They use GPS systems and advanced laser guidance to spot obstacles. A robot vacuum cleaner that learns the inside and outside of your home, but it will not clean. They can safely navigate through complex warehouses or areas that see a lot of human traffic.

Voice Picking or Tasking.

Speech recognition software, mobile headsets and a voice-picking warehouse automat system can replace handheld devices like barcode scanners. This reduces the risk of injury and increases efficiency.

Automated Sortation Systems

With barcode scanners, sensors and barcode scanners, automated sortation systems can identify items and move them to a warehouse. This is particularly useful in E-Commerce sites’ receiving, picking, packaging, and shipping.

What are the benefits of this?

Fewer Human Errors

Any manual project is bound to have errors. Warehouse automation makes errors much less common. Also, it is easier to locate the cause of an issue and fix it. The anxiety associated with errors can be reduced by moving to a warehouse automation program. You can send out orders without worrying about double or triple checking. Automated technology pulled all information by the area’s barcode. If the area is incorrectly labeled, it’s impossible for it to go wrong. It could also be caused by human error.

Consistency

Warehouse automation systems are a great investment because they ensure consistency. But you are also investing time. You are now a warehouse manager and have enough time to accomplish everything on your long to-do list. The force that drives growth in your warehouse, and your company as a whole, is a focus shift. You will see results almost instantly. It is common to be able see results almost immediately after an automation system integration, which can take some weeks.

Longevity

An automation system isn’t just for a few months or years. It will last you a lifetime. The reliability that warehouse automation can bring to your business is worth it. You will no longer have to worry about the staffing of a specific sale. Or how your employees may be able fulfill all orders within the timeframe promised. Robots, sensors, or other automation can work 24/7, so your employees don’t have to leave the office. This can prove to be very useful during holidays weekends and sales on E-Commerce sites.

You can spend different amounts on this investment. It is expensive upfront, but labor costs will pay for it. Warehouse management systems come in many forms. There are also systems that can be tailored for specific types of warehouses.

Accuracy

Automating order fulfillment processes is not only easier, but it also helps to manage real-time inventory. Automated inventory management systems eliminate the need for you to manually check each item for correct numbers. Warehouse automation will do all that work for you. No more lugging around a pencil and clipboard to verify that specific items are correct. Warehouse automation does it automatically and has the receipts to prove it.

Workplace injuries are less common

If you want to have as much inventory possible, not every item will be easy to access. The warehouse manager does not have to worry as much about robot injuries because they do all of the lifting. Robots can do the heavy lifting so employees don’t have as many to climb on ladders or worry about items that are difficult to reach.

Conclusion

Warehouse automation offers many benefits. The automation industry can bring about significant growth for your company. Once you have an understanding of the most common types of automation as well as their most desirable benefits, it is possible to determine which type of system would work best in your warehouse.

By Manali