Warehouse Automation Trends 2020
With the growing need to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and streamline warehousing operations, more businesses are adopting warehouse automation.
Warehouse automation refers to the set of technologies (ranging from robots to processes) that offer the promise of automating warehouse operations to drive higher efficiency. Advancements in technology are paving the way for several trends in warehouse automation that support warehouse efficiency, improve accuracy, and enhance safety.
Here are the top warehouse automation trends of 2020 that you must adopt to smoothen your warehousing operations and reduce some load off your shoulders-
Cloud-based WMS
With cloud-based warehouse management solutions, companies no longer need to acquire and maintain the software and hardware required to host on-premise WMS solutions. This reduces the burden on in-house IT staff, freeing them to focus on other high-value activities. Adopting a cloud-based warehouse, WMS delivers the following benefits:
- Centralized access to information
- Cost reductions due to the automation of previously manual functions
- More precise control over inventory
- Scalability
- Easier integration with other systems and software.
Using a cloud-based warehouse management system is also much cheaper than deploying and operating an in-house data center.
Big data
The goal of warehouse automation is to achieve the highest efficiency and productivity levels, increase customer satisfaction, and improve bottom lines. This can be better achieved by analyzing performance data to find areas in warehouse operations that would benefit from improvements. This is where big data analytics comes in.
The vast volumes of data generated by warehouse activities present an untapped opportunity for streamlining order fulfillment operations. Big data allows companies to detect and improve operational inefficiencies.
AGVs/AMRs
No discussion about warehouse automation and supply chain management is ever going to be complete without discussing robotics, after all. Namely, the help we get from robotics is reduced risks, labor-management, and, most of all, efficiency in deliverables.
Let’s talk about AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) invented to support human activity in various global warehouses. These are designed to help specific functions and come in forms like pallet movers, floor cleaners, forklifts, and other loading bays. They move on optimized and pre-defined routes, which leaves no room for error. Some AGVs use lasers and magnets to navigate and can move products from one point to another.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Successful automation of warehouse operations requires seamless communication between multiple moving parts in the distribution facilities. The Internet of Things connects all the devices and systems in the warehouse ecosystem and tracks everything to maximize operational efficiency.
By strategically deploying IoT devices, warehouse managers can monitor and coordinate everything from a single touchpoint — whether it’s shipments, production levels, inventory, order fulfillment activities, etc.
Benefits of Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation offers essential benefits for warehouses, enabling them to accommodate customer demand and keep up with the competition. Here’s a look at a few of the most significant benefits of warehouse automation.
Improved accuracy
One of the immediate benefits of automating warehouse processes and order fulfillment activities is a sharp decrease in manual errors. If done right, warehouse automation cuts down error rates, reduces costs, and increases accuracy.
Greater efficiency
Automated picking systems can identify the locations of SKUs almost in real-time and retrieve them via optimized routes. This drives greater efficiency and maximizes productivity in order fulfillment activities.
Warehouse automation also helps in streamlining replenishment activities. Accurate inventory counts make it easier to know when SKUs are nearing minimum reorder points. Reaching this point automatically triggers replenishment activities.
Enhanced safety
Warehouse automation systems are designed to reduce foot and equipment traffic going through the distribution facility. Lower traffic among the same paths means a reduced chance of an accident.
Conclusion
Although warehouse automation delivers significant value to warehouse operations in the form of reduced time, costs, and simplified operations, it can be challenging to get it right. However, the rewards are well worth the effort. Leveraging the right warehouse automation trends gives you an edge over the competition while increasing customer satisfaction levels. It can also help you reduce risks associated with your warehouse processing techniques!
