Everything you need to know about automation: trends, best practices, and more.
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Automation technology is an incredible tool for streamlining warehouse logistics. 亚马逊 ships over a million orders daily. The company also has 520,000 robots spread across its warehouses.
Coincidence? We think not.
The good news is this: you don't have to be a large organization with an Amazon-like budget to benefit from warehouse logistics automation.
This technology can boost the operations of even small and medium-sized 3PL, DTC, and B2C warehouses.
How? All your answers are here, including specific ways automation can benefit your logistics business and how to use automation to your advantage.
Streamlining Your Warehouse Logistics with Automation Technology
More 3PL, B2C, and DTC warehouses are embracing automation in their facilities. In fact, projections indicate that the warehouse automation market will grow from $21.7 billion in 2021 to $93 billion by 2031. Below are some of the latest trends driving warehouse automation growth. ??
?? Robotics
Today’s warehouse robots are far more advanced than what was available a few years ago. Combining a WMS with robotics allows you to automate multiple processes and optimize operations within your facility. The WMS provides the means to monitor and control all your warehouse robots in one place.
Some warehouses have even started incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their warehouse robotics systems. A 2021 Retail Info Systems study revealed that retailers plan to supercharge warehouse and DTC operations with AI investments.
Most of the investment will go into AI for predictive inventory planning, labor planning, and robots for picking and material handling.
?? Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of internet-connected devices with sensors, software, and other technologies for connecting with other devices. More warehouses are relying on such devices to automate their facilities. For example, robotic units like AGVs and AMRs controlled by a WMS rely on IoT to fulfill tasks.
You also have smart shelves that broadcast inventory information and provide low stock and theft alerts. Since these devices connect to your network, you can monitor and control them remotely to track and optimize processes.
???Predictive Analysis
Predictive analysis involves using analytics and algorithms to identify patterns and predict upcoming events regarding warehouse operations. For instance, predictive analysis can forecast demand spikes or when inventory will run out.
With such information, you can anticipate potential issues, maintain strategic inventory levels, and plan effectively for busy seasons.
?? Smart Internal Transportation
As mentioned, warehouse workers moving around to retrieve items takes up most of a worker's shift. The bigger the warehouse, the longer the trips to retrieve items.
Modern warehouses combat these issues with smart internal transportation systems, such as AGVs and AMRs. Automating product movements with these systems allows pickers to focus on more valuable tasks.
Discover how you can automate your logistics and delve into the best practices for warehouse logistics automation in the full article. Gain deeper insights ?? tap here.
5 Workflow Automations to Adopt Before Peak Season
Now is as good a time as any to evaluate your warehouse’s operational weak points and improve your technological approach before the next peak season arrives.?Take these 5 workflow automations and prepare your warehouse for what's to come this holiday season (wave goodbye to procrastination??).
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#1 Job Creation
Automating job creation during peak season streamlines warehouse operations by effectively managing high order volumes and meeting deadlines. With criteria-based automation, orders can be grouped into jobs based on priority, ensuring efficient assembly and timely pickup.
Enhancements such as storage and retrieval systems, goods-to-person systems, and automated dimensioning tools further optimize accuracy, enabling seamless fulfillment of single item and multi-item orders across multiple warehouses with the help of a modern warehouse management system (WMS).
#2 Product Inventory Management
During peak season, efficient inventory management becomes crucial to meet demand and control costs. Smart warehouse management solutions offer real-time visibility into inventory data, enabling automated processes such as optimized storage, accurate forecasting, inventory tracking, and replenishment.
Wearable technology, sensors, and automated storage systems streamline operations, allowing for smooth picking, packing, and tracking of items across multiple warehouse locations, alleviating the burden of time-consuming tasks during peak seasons.
#3 Order Routing
Automating order routing during peak season optimizes fulfillment across multiple warehouses. By directing incoming ecommerce orders to the closest facility, you can ensure faster fulfillment and minimize shipping costs.
If a warehouse is out of stock, the WMS can redirect the order to the appropriate facility or facilitate item transfer to the ideal fulfillment center, maintaining smooth inventory management and avoiding duplicate shipments. Explore this smart order routing blog for a detailed understanding of this workflow automation.
#4 Walking Path Optimization
During peak season, labor costs can be significant, especially when picking and packing consume a large portion of the budget. Walking path optimization is a valuable approach to reduce motion waste and inefficient walking in the warehouse.
With a smart WMS, the layout of the warehouse can be optimized, and optimal routes can be automatically devised for workers, resulting in improved storage management, streamlined operations, cost savings, and reduced employee fatigue.
#5 Receiving & Shipping
During peak order seasons, minimizing human error and disruptions in fulfillment is crucial. Workflow automation, supported by a WMS, streamlines inbound and outbound activities. It eliminates manual data entry for product information, compliance tags, and other categorical data, while also facilitating package dimensioning, label creation, and last-touch steps for shipping, ensuring fast and accurate processes.
Additionally, smart automation rules enable the selection of cost-effective shipping routes, simplifying multi-carrier operations and optimizing shipping rates, allowing orders to flow smoothly to peak season shoppers.
To learn more about workflow automation for brands, retailers, and 3PLs, check out this blog article.
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