Are you managing a warehouse? If the answer is yes, then you most probably understand just how important this process is, and how warehousing is the most essential part of the supply chain. No matter how many orders a day have to be fulfilled, warehouses ensure that the products are moved efficiently from the suppliers to the customers. Read more about supply chain management in general.
Now, it is clear that warehouses are important for businesses of all sizes. Yet, when the number of orders increases, the traditional ones tend to struggle. This is also because there is increasing demand for faster delivery. Not to mention that the costs of labor are rising, and we are dealing with greater operational complexity, all of which leads the traditional warehouses towards struggling to keep up.
If you have found yourself in a situation like that, you may be wondering what it is that you should do, and how it is that you should fix it. And, well, I suppose that you have already heard of the idea of warehouse automation. You may have, therefore, started thinking about doing that, but you may still not be quite sure about it.
Put differently, you probably still have some questions. For one thing, you want to understand what this concept entails. Then, you want to get a clearer idea on why you may want to do it, and, that is, how you can benefit from it. And then, you also want to figure out how to actually do it the right way. Those are, without a doubt, some rather important questions right there, and we are now going to answer them for you below, hoping to help you get your facts straight, make up your mind, and realize what your next course of action should be.
What Is Warehouse Automation?
We are, of course, going to begin with the most basic question here. What does this concept entail in the first place? Well, to cut right to the chase, Warehouse Automation refers to the idea of using technology, machines and various software systems to reduce human intervention on certain warehouse tasks. That is, to be able to perform them without human intervention.
So, you don’t have to rely solely on manual labor. Instead, you can employ robotics, use some helpful software solutions, AI, drones, conveyor belts, and all kinds of machines and programs that can actually help optimize your operations. If you believe that automation is something new, let me tell you right away that it isn’t, and that warehouses and businesses have been relying on such solutions for a long time already.
It’s just that, the solution may have gotten more complex and more useful. So, we have come a long way since barcode scanners, for example, as that is undeniably an automation tool, a small scale one, but still useful, that you may want to use to your advantage. Nowadays, there are even fully automated warehouse spaces in which robotic solutions are used to handle everything from picking up the goods to packing and sorting them, without human interference.
Why Automate Your Warehouse?
The next question you have on your mind is why you would want to think about automating your warehouse in the first place. And, well, there are plenty of reasons for it. First things first, these kinds of solutions will help you increase speed and thus boost efficiency. Unlike manual operations, automated one can work around the clock, without getting tired. Meaning, therefore, that there won’t be any delays in order fulfillment, and that they will actually be fulfilled much faster, which is a big deal.
Additionally, when you automate these processes, you will also increase accuracy. After all, while humans are prone to making mistakes, machines aren’t. And, apart from increasing accuracy, you’ll also enhance safety, reducing the risks of accidents associated to heavy lifting or operating certain machinery.
Of course, we also cannot fail to mention that this will reduce labor costs as well, which is one of the largest expenses in warehouses. Sure, you won’t eliminate jobs entirely. What you will do is reallocate human workers to some higher-value tasks, such as, for instance, quality control, while letting the machines handle the hard, repetitive work.
Understand the whole process better: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/warehouse-automation
How to Do It Right?
One more thing you’re wondering. How can you automate your warehouse processes successfully? Well, you will have to assessing your current operations and identifying those areas that you would like to automate, after which you will be ready to start searching for the tech solutions that can help you do that. The most important thing to do, of course, is find the right company that will offer you the solutions you need and support you on your automation path. So, take your time to make the best choice and get a partner to help you in the process.
