Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings with Warehouse Automation

Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings with Warehouse Automation

Feb 28, 2023 | Automation, order fulfillment, Robotics, Sortation, space optimization

In the ever-changing world of supply chain management, warehouse automation is a key factor in ensuring that an operation runs effectively and efficiently. Batch picking and automated sorting are two technologies that can help reduce costs and improve accuracy in your warehouse. Let’s take a closer look at how these systems work and why they should be part of your warehousing strategy.

Batch Picking

Batch picking is a process that combines orders into batches before they are picked from the shelves. This system reduces the number of trips to the shelves required to fill orders, which increases efficiency while minimizing errors. The process starts with order consolidation software that looks at incoming orders and consolidates them into batches based on common elements like customer or ship-to location, product type, or order size. Once orders are consolidated into batches, pickers move through each batch in sequence to pick items quickly and accurately.

Automated Sorting Systems

Automated sorting systems are used to optimize the storage capacity of warehouses as well as streamline outbound processes. These systems use algorithms to determine which products should be stored where in order to maximize space utilization, minimize handling time, and increase throughput times for outgoing orders. Automated sorting systems are also capable of automatically routing products based on their destination or other criteria, allowing for greater flexibility in managing inventory flow within a facility.

As warehouses become more complex and operations become more demanding, technologies like batch picking and automated sorting can help you stay ahead of the competition by improving efficiency and reducing costs. By implementing these solutions now, you can ensure that you have an efficient warehouse operation today so you can remain competitive tomorrow. ABCO Systems will make the most of your batch picking by integrating with the right automation solution.  Supply chain professionals who want to optimize their operations should seriously consider investing in these tools – it could pay off big in the long run! CONTACT US to speak to an ABCO Team member about the right solution for you.

*Header picture depicts&OPEX® Sure Sort®

Optimizing Your Warehouse with Goods-to-Person Automation

Optimizing Your Warehouse with Goods-to-Person Automation

Feb 21, 2023 | Automation, cost reduction, Robotics, space optimization

As eCommerce business continues to grow, customers are looking for even faster delivery of the goods they purchase. As such, businesses are constantly looking for ways to optimize their warehouses to speed up order fulfillment. One way to achieve this is through goods-to-person automation. This automation technology helps streamline the process of stocking, picking, and shipping items, allowing businesses to reduce labor costs and free up warehouse space.

Goods-to-person automation works by utilizing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to move items from storage locations to human operators. The robots then drive up to an ergonomic workstation and present items in containers or on shelves for easy human pickup. By eliminating the need for humans to manually search for items on the ground or in shelving aisles, goods-to-person automation allows warehouse staff to work more quickly and efficiently. In addition to reducing labor costs associated with picking, goods-to-person automation also reduces energy costs associated with moving people around a warehouse facility. By using robots instead of manual labor, companies can save time and money by not having to pay employees overtime while they walk back and forth between storage locations. AGVs are more efficient since they can travel faster than humans can walk, reducing the overall time it takes for one pick cycle.

Goods-to-person automation also helps improve workflow within warehouses by freeing up space that was once used for storing inventory or materials on shelves or racks. These freed-up areas can be used for other purposes, such as stocking new products arriving from suppliers or staging larger orders prior to shipment. Additionally, goods-to-person automation increases safety within the workplace as employees no longer need to spend time searching through cluttered aisles of inventory or lifting heavy items off high shelves themselves — tasks that are easily accomplished by robots with minimal health risks involved.

Using goods-to-person automation helps businesses optimize both their labor force as well as their warehouse space usage — all while ensuring employee safety and enhancing customer satisfaction by increasing order speed and accuracy at scale. Companies should consider implementing these solutions if they want to maximize efficiency in their warehouses — especially those with large SKU counts and frequent customer orders.

ABCO Systems offers a variety of goods-to-person solutions that can easily be implemented into your warehouse with little to no disruption to your daily workflow. Contact us to see how goods-to-person technology can optimize your warehouse by decreasing labor and increasing space.

*Image depicts Addverb Technologies

Warehouse Automation: Keys to Efficient Storage and Retrieval

Warehouse Automation: Keys to Efficient Storage and Retrieval

Feb 14, 2023 | AS/RS, Automation, Robotics

If you are looking to increase the efficiency of your warehouse, automating your storage and retrieval may be the key to achieving an efficient process. Automated storage and retrieval can help improve accuracy and productivity while also reducing labor costs. With the right warehouse automation system, you can streamline your storage and retrieval process and get products in and out of your warehouse faster than ever before. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of warehouse automation and how it can help improve storage and retrieval for your business.

Goods-to-Person automation for storage and retrieval

Warehouse automation is the use of advanced technologies, such as robotics and automated storage and retrieval systems, to streamline the operations of a warehouse. This technology can provide improved accuracy and efficiency for a variety of warehouse tasks, from order fulfillment and picking to sorting and inventory control. Automation enables warehouses to handle larger volumes with fewer errors and lower labor costs, leading to faster turnaround times and improved customer service. Warehouse automation also helps to reduce the risk of accidents by eliminating manual labor. Automation helps ensure that goods are stored and retrieved quickly and safely, and it can help reduce costs by reducing the need for physical storage space and reducing labor costs. By automating the mundane tasks of the warehouse, employees are freed up to focus on more important tasks, such as customer service or problem-solving. Goods-to-person automation is a popular entry-level automation solution for storage and retrieval. This automation solution is used to move goods from one storage location to another using robotic or automated storage and retrieval systems. Goods-to-person automation is an efficient way to store and retrieve goods, as the system automatically finds and delivers the goods to a particular point within the warehouse. It can also be used to manage inventory, as the system can provide real-time information about the location of goods. By eliminating manual labor, goods-to-person automation for storage and retrieval can help streamline operations and increase warehouse efficiency.

The benefits of automating your warehouse

Warehouse automation provides a variety of advantages for businesses and facilities. Automated warehouses spend less time on mundane and repetitive tasks, such as manual stock picking, packing, and sorting. Automation also increases accuracy and efficiency by eliminating human error, thereby improving customer service and satisfaction. Automated warehouses also provide faster order fulfillment and improved inventory management, resulting in lower costs and higher profits. Furthermore, automated warehouses free up personnel to handle other tasks and duties. Automation also allows for better tracking of orders and items throughout the warehouse, allowing for improved monitoring of inventory and ensuring that all items are kept in the right locations. Finally, warehouse automation helps to streamline operations, reducing the time required to find and retrieve items from storage.

The key to efficient storage and retrieval

Efficient storage and retrieval of inventory is a critical element of warehouse operations. With the right automation, it can be a breeze. Automation can help to streamline the process of storing and retrieving goods from the warehouse and reduce manual labor. It also enables warehouses to track and store data about their products and locations more quickly and accurately.

The key to efficient storage and retrieval is having the right balance of automation and manual labor. On the one hand, automation allows for faster, more accurate movement of goods from one place to another, as well as providing real-time visibility into inventory levels. On the other hand, manual labor is still necessary for certain tasks such as packing, loading, and unloading.

Benefits of warehouse automation include increased efficiency and productivity, improved accuracy in order processing, reduction of labor costs, reduced manual errors, and improved customer satisfaction. Automation also makes it easier to manage large numbers of items and handle sudden spikes in demand.

The main challenge associated with automating storage and retrieval is that the equipment requires regular maintenance and updates to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, the installation of automated systems comes at a cost, and there may be a need to invest in additional training for employees.

Overall, efficient storage and retrieval is achievable with the right mix of automation and manual labor. Automation can enable warehouses to track and store data quickly and accurately while reducing manual labor, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. However, careful consideration should be taken when investing in automation as there are associated costs and challenges that must be taken into account.

How to automate your warehouse

Warehousing automation is a great way to streamline storage and retrieval operations, making them more efficient and cost-effective. But how do you get started?

One of the most popular entry-level methods of warehouse automation is goods-to-person. Goods-to-person automates order fulfillment by having robots or automated systems deliver items from storage areas directly to picking personnel, eliminating the need for people to walk around the warehouse. This not only reduces labor costs but also allows for increased accuracy in order picking and faster order turnaround times.

Another method of warehouse automation is automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). These systems typically use automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotic arms to move items between shelves, into bins, and onto picking carts. ASRS can reduce labor costs by eliminating the manual handling of items and by speeding up the storage and retrieval process.

The latest generation of warehouse automation technology includes machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). AI systems can be used to analyze data collected from the warehouse, allowing businesses to identify areas of improvement and maximize efficiency.

For smaller warehouses that may not be able to afford the latest technologies, simpler solutions such as voice-directed picking, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, and barcode scanning are still viable options.

Ultimately, the right warehouse automation solution will depend on your individual needs and budget. The key is to find a solution that meets your specific requirements while offering the best possible return on investment. As a Systems Integrator, ABCO Systems affords years of experience in the industry, coupled with the most innovative automation solutions to enable you to find the ideal solution for your unique situation. The ABCO Systems team of engineers and operations brings years of industry expertise along with longstanding relationships with the most innovative suppliers of warehouse automation solutions.  Find out how we can help you navigate your way into automating your warehouse. CLICK to view more on ABCO Robotic Technologies

*Image depicts Addverb Technologies

Choosing the Right Robotics Solution for Your Warehouse

Choosing the Right Robotics Solution for Your Warehouse

Jan 31, 2023 | ABCO Systems, AGV, AMR, Automation, Robotics

Robotics has the potential to revolutionize the distribution industry, improving efficiency, accuracy, and speed of operations. This article will explore the current state of robotics in distribution, the benefits and challenges of implementing these technologies, and the potential future of robotics in the industry.

Current State of Robotics in Distribution:

Robotics is already being used in a variety of roles within the distribution industry. These include tasks such as order picking, packing, sorting, and transportation. Some distribution centers have implemented fully automated systems, while others have adopted a hybrid approach, using robotics to complement the work of human employees.

One example of a company that has successfully implemented robotics in its distribution operations is Amazon. The company uses a variety of robotic systems in its fulfillment centers, including Kiva robots for order picking and transportation and Pegasus robots for sorting packages. These systems have allowed Amazon to improve efficiency and speed of operations, leading to faster delivery times for customers.

Benefits of Implementing Robotics in Distribution:

There are several benefits to implementing robotics in distribution operations. These include:

  1. Increased efficiency: Robotics can work 24/7 without breaks, allowing for uninterrupted operations. In addition, robots can perform tasks with high accuracy and precision, reducing the need for rework and correcting errors.
  2. Improved accuracy: Robotics can help reduce the risk of errors in tasks such as order picking and packing, leading to higher levels of customer satisfaction.
  3. Reduced labor costs: By automating tasks that are currently performed by humans, companies can reduce labor costs.
  4. Increased speed: Robotics can help speed up operations, leading to faster delivery times for customers.

Challenges of Implementing Robotics in Distribution:

There are also several challenges to implementing robotics in distribution operations. These include:

  1. High upfront costs: Implementing robotics can be expensive, with the cost of purchasing and installing the systems being a significant barrier for some companies.
  2. Lack of skilled labor: There is currently a shortage of skilled workers who are able to program and maintain robotic systems. This can make it difficult for companies to find the personnel needed to implement and maintain these systems.
  3. Complexity of operations: Distribution centers often have a high level of complexity, with a wide range of products being stored and shipped. This can make it difficult to implement robotic systems that are able to handle the diversity of tasks required.
  4. Limited adaptability: Robotics systems are not currently able to adapt to changes in operations as easily as human workers. This can make it difficult to respond quickly to changes in demand or shifts in the market.

The Future of Robotics in Distribution:

Despite the challenges, the future of robotics in distribution looks bright. As technology continues to improve and costs decrease, more and more companies will likely adopt robotics in their operations. In the future, it is possible that fully automated distribution centers will become more common, with robots taking on an even wider range of tasks.

Robotics has the potential to revolutionize the distribution industry, improving efficiency, accuracy, and speed of operations. While there are challenges to implementing these technologies, the benefits and potential for growth make it an attractive option for many companies. As technology continues to improve, we will see increasing adoption of robotics in the distribution industry.

ABCO Systems offers years of expertise and insight into product flow to help you navigate any challenges you may face in the design and implementation of automation and robotics in your warehouse distribution. We maintain relationships with the top robotics and automation solutions suppliers to help you find the right solution for your unique situation. CLICK for more information or a consultation on how we can help you increase efficiency and productivity in your warehouse.

 

*Image depicts robotic solutions from Addverb Technologies on display in the ABCO Systems Showroom and Training Center.

The Impact of Automation and Robotics: The Future of Warehousing

The Impact of Automation and Robotics: The Future of Warehousing

Jan 13, 2023 | ABCO Systems, AGV, AMR, Automation, order fulfillment, Robotics, Sortation, Uncategorized

Thank you to everyone who attended the DC Velocity webinar on December 15th, where we collaborated with our partner Addverb Technologies.  For those unable to attend, we are pleased to provide a link here where you can view the webinar.

For further information on how ABCO Systems can help you navigate your Automation and Robotics needs, CLICK HERE, and an ABCO Team member will contact you.

Click the box below to view the video.