What exactly is warehouse automation?
Automation is heading towards retaining high productivity standards while minimizing direct participation of labor and practices. It also improves the supply chain flow, as managing the goods inside and outside a warehouse is now possible with minimum human participation.
More companies are turning to warehouse automation software to improve their operations and reduce human error. We might picture robots roaming around the warehouses when we think about warehouse automation. But in many cases, it can involve replacing manual tasks with software solutions. You may find yourself juggling too many details, from managing inventory to tracking returns. One way to streamline your work is to use technology to automate processes such as unloading inventory or retrieving products on demand.
Statistics
Research Market reports that worldwide the total of warehouses is growing fast, along with the capacity and size of warehouses to meet e-commerce demand. Automated warehouse systems have emerged as software solutions that provide businesses with more competencies. As of today, however, only 5 percent of warehouses are using automation equipment and solutions, bringing massive market opportunities for the companies in the warehousing automation scheme.
Using RPA and automated warehouses is one of the pillars of supply chain automation. Automated warehouses generate a considerable amount of data, which can be used to refine a company’s decision-making process and optimize its supply chains.
Benefits of warehouse automation
Various benefits are found in automating your warehouse:
· Boost inventory control
· Improve customer service
· Minimizing labor
· Reducing errors
· Increasing speed
Two types of automation can be implemented in warehouses. Digital automation is accomplished through software and electronics, while physical warehouse automation uses mechanical systems.
Automating a warehouse can increase its productivity, from automating picking and scanning to automating vehicles and back-office processes. Any warehouse that seeks to improve its bottom line will benefit from automation.
Start your automation journey with RPA.
To automate a warehouse, you should first identify the processes that require automation. Depending on what aspect of your operation needs optimization, there are a few ways to improve your warehouse. You can automate receiving and sorting processes to streamline accuracy, speed up storage times, and cut costs.
If you are considering automating your warehouse processes, do not hesitate to contact us and, for example, via a workshop identifying the opportunities together and drawing up a roadmap for the next steps.