The expansion of e-commerce and omni-channel retailing is adding to the speed at which automation tools are being adopted. The number one challenge, in warehouse operations, is to improve efficiency at the least cost. Warehouse automation solutions are continuing to be developed to optimise repetitive tasks and maximise space, leading to increased productivity and faster processes. Automated mobile robots (AMRs) are used mainly for moving, picking and sorting. Some have sensors that drive delicate picking tasks such as perishables. AMRs are especially suited to smaller and mid-size warehouses where modular solutions can be applied, according to the Supply Chain Consulting Group.
This article was first published in the September 15th 2022 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Two thirds of today’s global warehouse operations are underpinned by terminal emulation (TE) software, says Padraig Regan, Chief Product Officer at StayLinked. Even though your TE solution may be thirty years old, you can still enhance your order picking processes without making changes to your backend system. Starting from wherever you are today, you can make step-changes to immediately improve the productivity and efficiency of your entire warehouse operations ensuring that you meet customers’ demands as e-commerce continues to grow, by stabilising your existing order picking solution, migrating to android mobile devices and evolving your solution’s productivity.
Vitesse technology calculates the number of metres an employee is travelling to complete each task, therefore creating a much fairer target for each individual employee, rather than units picked per hour. The X, Y, Z map coordinates created by Vitesse software are key to this measurement, and thereby provide valuable insights that enable these distances to be reduced or altered where appropriate against that employee’s target. The software makes use of information such as product dimensions, weight, numbers of pallets or cages being used and stretching to reach higher locations, to create fair task times.
Exotec, a provider of warehouse robotics and French technology unicorn, is now significantly expanding its presence in the UK market, with LAC Conveyor Systems Limited being the exclusive integrator partner of the Skypod System in the UK. Exotec’s flagship product, Skypod, is an order picking system with robots that can climb racks up to 12 metres in height and retrieve products autonomously, before delivering totes to human-staffed or automatic picking stations. Racks are fully scalable, so storage capacity can be increased when required, or adapted to the architecture of a warehouse.
CSAT Solutions, a reverse logistics business and electronics repair hub, was using manual carts and paper pick lists to fulfil customer orders but with a growing volume of electronic parts flowing in and out of its warehouse every day, needed to find a way to make its fulfilment process more efficient. The 6 River Systems (6RS) collaborative r robots, called “Chucks”, led warehouse associates through their work in active picking areas, keeping them on task. CSAT also liked 6RS’ artificial intelligence capabilities, which manage and optimise pick paths to make warehouse associates more efficient.
It is exciting to see the advances in technology which are driving order picking operations into the future.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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