Advances in technology have increased the efficiency of warehouse processes in many ways. These technologies can now augment the work of humans as well as automate tedious, manual tasks allowing the labor team to focus on more complex tasks. Warehouse automation takes on many forms, such as machines and robots, that assist workers with distribution-related processes that start when goods arrive at the warehouse all the way through when they leave the building. Implementing warehouse automation solutions can help increase the productivity and accuracy of those processes while reducing labor costs and improving overall safety.
This does not equate to robots replacing the need for human workers. These automation solutions take on the tedious tasks that required long hours of work and allow employees to focus on other less labor-intensive aspects of the distribution process, providing a safer environment for all involved. Warehouse automation can cover everything from unloading trailers to fulfilling orders, but humans are still a vital part of the process.
One technology that is a part of automation is Sortation. Manual sortation requires the labor force to organize, categorize and separate products and materials. Automating this process can reduce the labor intensity of the overall process. A sortation device identifies individual items on a conveyor system and is able to divert them to their proper location using a variety of discharge methods..
One of the strategic partners ABCO Systems is aligned with is EuroSort. In 2001, EuroSort emerged from a need for a solution to manage the growing number of irregularly shaped items requiring sortation in warehouses. The first EuroSort sorter design was the Split Tray Sorter, which quickly caught on in the industry. EuroSort learned from each installation of the Split Tray Sorter and the design was augmented and refined over time. With the rising demand for sortation, EuroSort continued to release new sortation solutions such as the Dual Split Tray, Push Tray, Twin Push Tray, Cross Tray, Sweeper, and Push Bar Sorters.
Let’s look at the EuroSort Push Bar Sorter. This sortation solution was first installed in 2004 and then re-introduced in 2019 after further cultivation of the technology. The Push Bar Sorter offers a wide range of sortable products, extreme layout flexibility, and easy scalability to allow for a fast ROI and a significant increase in productivity.
The EuroSort PushBar Sorter affords precise bi-directional sorting using an overhead push divert. This allows for the accurate discharge of a large variety of products into an extremely tight destination like an outbound carton or mailsack. The system is designed to be space-conscious and requires a minimum of maintenance.
The EuroSort Push Bar Sorter accurately sorts items from as small as a single business card or individual polybag up to a 30-inch carton at rates of up to 3,000 items/hour. The system is also becoming a reliable solution for linear sortation at a more affordable cost.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of the EuroSort Push Bar Sorter:
Modular Construction – The ultimate in flexibility!
Manual Induction Ease – Save money, reduce complications, and increase your flexibility with a machine that allows for manual induction.
No-touch Pack Out – The tightest discharge pitch in the industry enables the sorting of items directly into the outbound carton/tote/container with no secondary touch during pack out.
No Weld Framework – Easy installation, easy expansion, and superior modularity of your sortation system.
Smallest Discharge Pitch – Increased accuracy allows for a smaller discharge pitch and a denser sorter footprint.
Gentle Push Product Handling – Sorting your fragile items without damage!
Quiet As a Mouse Operation – Noise levels below 70db
Low Budget Friendly – High-quality automation without the high price tag.
Key Takeaways:
Automation does not replace human labor, it takes on the more tedious aspects of the distribution process
Automating the sortation of a diverse array of products can increase the accuracy and efficiency of your distribution
Sortation automation can be flexible and space efficient
Sortation automation solutions can be cost-effective and implemented without disruption to your workday or current processes.
Contact the ABCO Systems Team for more information on the sortation solution that is right for you.
As we enter December, you may be thinking about automation, but is it too late to implement automation in time for the upcoming Holiday Season? We all want to be able to meet and exceed the needs of our customers as well as make the best use of our labor force but think that implementing automation at this stage would be way too difficult and costly. Think again.
ABCO Systems offers you an early holiday gift with our new white paper on 4 Easy Ways to Automate. Click the box below to download and learn how you can easily implement an automation solution now that is scalable for future growth.
Merchandise returns are a challenge to eCommerce, yet a necessary part of the process. There is a lot to understand to keep up with customer expectations and the innovations in technology that can help to make the return process more manageable.
As the volume of shipments continues to rise, the rate of the merchandise being returned rises also. In 2021, the National Retail Federation reported that US shoppers are expected to return more than $761 billion worth of goods purchased in that year. This trend is reflected in the 2021 report from IMRG which found that a quarter of all consumers return between 5% and 15% of items they buy online.
There are a plethora of challenges facing eCommerce in regard to returns. Not only is the volume of returns rising, but customer expectations continue to evolve, and customers do not want to pay for returns. A 2021 eCommerce survey revealed that many shoppers check the returns policy before placing an order. 40% say they will not order a product unless the return period is at least 30 days. 74% of respondents also stated they would not order at an online store if they had to pay for the return themselves.
Another challenge facing eCommerce in regard to returns is sustainability. Longer return times and issues with storage and infrastructure combined with the fact that it makes no financial sense to return lower-value items are impacting negatively on the sustainability efforts of merchants.
Here is an outline of the return process where we can see the pain points for eCommerce:
Generation of return labels
Receipt of return and accurate sortation to enter it back into inventory
Update of order status
Issuance of refund
Notification of customer
So, what options do eCommerce merchants have for efficient returns?
Highlight your return policy upfront. Clearly state your expectations throughout the purchasing process to ensure that they are understood by the consumer
Automate your return label by either including a return label with the shipment or providing a digital option to print one out
Get the right technology to manage the receipt of the return and accurate return to inventory. Technology today can set shipping rules and automate processes that save time and money while diminishing costly errors with shipping and managing returns.
Automate the order status update with the issuance of the refund and notification of the customer.
ABCO Systems has years of expertise in streamlining reverse logistics with automation, sortation, and storage optimization. Click the ABCO box below to find out how we can help you handle your specific reverse logistics needs.
E-commerce has been evolving for years and has experienced a surge following the recent pandemic to become a powerful part of both online and physical business. Technological advances in automation have enabled more companies to take part in e-business, but these technologies are relevant to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses as well. Advanced inventory management and enhanced customer experience are important to all business ventures.
Inventory management is the backbone of any successful manufacturing or retail business. Using advanced automation technology can help implement a lean supply chain leading to sustainability.
E-commerce fulfillment center design is a focus of the ABCO design team. ABCO has a rich history of working with both large and small e-commerce companies to meet and exceed their order demand. Whether you are a small business looking for a scalable solution or a large organization looking to efficiently process large quantities of orders per hour; all can benefit from an efficient fulfillment center design.
Whether you are stepping into e-commerce or looking to make your fulfillment center more efficient, ABCO Systems can help design the right solution for you. CLICK to learn more about how we can partner with you to implement an efficient fulfillment center solution.
It’s official! ABCO Systems is proud to announce that we are teaming up with FETCH ROBOTICS to provide Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solutions to our customers nationwide! This partnership combines Fetch Robotics’ world-class, dynamic robotics solutions with ABCO Systems’ unparalleled customer service and proven engineering and implementation capabilities, and we can’t wait to take our customers’ warehouses to the next level! For turnkey and extensible systems, join us at the cutting edge of e-commerce fulfillment – give us a call today!
More about FETCH ROBOTICS: One of the fastest growing robotics companies in the world, FETCH ROBOTICS is the pioneer of On-Demand Automation, providing the only solution that deploys Autonomous Mobile Robots for the warehousing and intralogistics markets in just hours (versus days or weeks). Learn more about the exciting array of product offerings here.
More about ABCO Systems: As your material handling system partner, we are committed to bettering your business. We provide a wide range of solutions from e-commerce to full-fledged automated warehouse design and implementation.
To learn more about ABCO Systems and FETCH Robotics contact us at 201-429-0580 or [email protected]. We look forward to helping you maximize your space and improve your business practices with the material handling solutions that work the best for you.
