Top 10 Trends in Robotic Warehouse Automation 2.0

Warehouses Are Now Big Business

Warehouses are in demand and are now big business.

Due to an increase in ecommerce and fast shipping expectations, warehouse space and efficiency is paramount.

Robotic warehouse automation can help meet the demand for space and increase productivity.

In the face of real estate and labor pressures, automated warehouses are becoming increasingly necessary.

Read: Alternative Strategies to Combat Labor Force Shortages

Replacing repetitive tasks with automated systems can eliminate time-consuming, laborious, and often manual tasks.

Certain aspects of automation allow warehouses to maximize vertical and horizontal space. Automation processes allow employees to focus on essential tasks such as quality control and customer service.

Combining human effort and automation processes in warehousing is critical for delivering the best level of service in warehousing today. In this article, we go over the top ten warehouse automation trends.

Top 10 Warehouse Automation Trends

1Multi-cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Cloud-based warehouse management solutions are designed to help with the critical functions of day-to-day warehouse operations. Utilizing a cloud-based system offers warehouse management a streamlined platform for improving communications and inventory management.

A cloud-based system removes IT integration, financial, and scalability challenges, and introduces high levels of interoperability and a flexible SaaS-based operating system.

2Mobile Robots as a Service (RaaS)

Raas is a rental service that allows warehouses to lease autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) through a subscription plan. Leasing robots as needed instead of purchasing them outright benefits warehouses in several ways both financially and operationally.

It makes best-in-breed multi-robot machines more attainable because the expense becomes an operational expense (OpEx) with a minimal initial investment (CapEx). It also allows for much easier scaling, as adding or updating necessary robots is more feasible through a subscription service.

3Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems ASRS

Various computer-controlled automated storage systems store inventory in a compact footprint and efficiently retrieve merchandise when needed. These systems help warehouses maximize space vertically and horizontally.

Vertical storage can be extended to heights beyond human reach. Spacing storage shelving can be placed closer together due to ASRS systems’ small dimensions.

4Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT comprises connected objects capable of collecting and exchanging data in real-time through embedded sensors. In a supply chain or inventory management, an RFID tag is placed on each item that needs to be tracked, supplying important data to enable critical decision-making.

IoT can be used throughout the global supply chain allowing for better communication between suppliers and customers. IoT in warehouse management provides visibility into the supply chain process from ordering to shipment delivery or third-party logistics warehouses.

5Big Data and Analytics

Warehouses produce enormous amounts of data, and it requires analytics to make sense of it all. Big Data consists of massive datasets that go beyond what is commonly used to manage and process data in a single company.

Big Data Analytics allows warehouses to monitor and track inventory, across the supply chain and into the external world. Analytics of large amounts of data also help supply chain leaders to make critical decisions based on accurate projections.

6Collaborative Robots (COBOTS)

Cobots are robots designed to operate with direct human interaction. These robots assist with automation by completing monotonous, physically demanding, complex, or hazardous tasks.

Cobots can be flexible and easily programmable, adding to their synergy with human employees. Often used for inspection and picking, these automated guided vehicles allow workers to concentrate on tasks requiring problem-solving skills

7Voice Picking

This order fulfillment process uses voice commands to communicate with warehouse workers. Also known as pick-by-voice or voice-directed warehousing.

This system is paperless and often has a multi-language capability for common languages. A voice-picking system enhances productivity by decreasing errors and increasing efficiency.

8Wearables

Small computers that warehouse workers can strap to their wrists, head, or body parts while working. Wearable technology frees up warehouse workers’ hands, increasing speed and accuracy.

Connected to cloud-based technology allows the data they produce to be uploaded immediately, improving inventory and order fulfillment accuracy.

9Smarter Layouts

A warehouse layout includes the interior and exterior of a warehouse. Warehouses today use technology like automated shelving to help with data flow and inventory management.

A smart layout is designed for scaling, allowing warehouses to adapt to increased demands.

10Drones

Often associated with flying outside, drones are gaining popularity in warehouse automation. Capable of flying around to scan pallets and counting inventory, they connect to cloud-based WMS, submitting collected data instantly. Some warehouse drones can scan 200-400 pallets per hour.

Automation Solutions

Finding cost-effective automation solutions is critical for warehouse management and the brands they serve. Globally, the ecommerce market is expected to reach USD 27,147.9 Billion by 2027. Warehouse demand will increase along with ecommerce growth.
Retailers must meet customer demand for order accuracy and delivery speeds that can compete with retail giants like Amazon.

GreyOrange combines AI-powered cloud-based software and smart robotic automation to help warehouses meet modern fulfillment demands. Contact us today if you’re looking for cost-effective warehouse robotics and automation solutions that can scale with you.

Why Instant Automation Is Such A Big Deal?

The Retail Conundrum

The retail industry finds itself in a strange situation; while sales have been going up and store traffic returning to normal, the overall US economy is feeling the heat of rising inflation and labor shortage. Retailers across the country are already preparing for an anticipated recession and devising ways to minimize costs and find efficiencies through operations.

Now Is The Time To Act

The cost of inaction is felt daily by businesses without an active plan to modernize their fulfillment functions. To stay relevant, companies must be able to meet the expectations of their customers, or risk having none.

Increase speed of deployment (in weeks, not in months or years)
Increase speed of fulfillment and ability to address high-volume growth (with less labor)
Future-proof operations by adding agility and flexibility Instant integration using OPEX budgets and scaling as the business grows (~1 year)

Intelligent Automation Is Available, Now

At its foundation, customer satisfaction means speed and simplicity. Only automation can meet both these challenges and future-proof systems to ensure consistent operations and place distribution as a strategic lever. However, managing the risks associated with large capital investments is a science by itself, especially when the investment will be out of date within 18 months.

Businesses need technology that is inherently built on agile principles and can deliver quick results early on and at every stage.

Book a meeting with GreyOrange

4 Reasons to Invest in the GreyOrange Fulfilment Platform:

Multi-agent platform: Any technology as and when relevant (create choices)
Cloud delivery: Quick deployment with consistent, real-time, and unified experience
SaaS subscription platform: Buy the right fit automation package and pay as you grow
Pilot program: Try before you buy

We build platform-based solutions that optimize fulfillment workstreams across the distribution center, maximizing efficiency continuously, and in real-time. This enables optimum performance right from distribution through to customer experience. True optimization can only be achieved with flexibility. Being able to access the best-in-breed technologies, when they become available is best achieved through a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform approach.

A multi-robot orchestration platform allows any robot to be plugged in and controlled centrally, even when off-site, which creates limitless technology choices and operational flexibility. When paired with RaaS (Robots as a Service) this means that state-of-the-art robots can be swapped in and out as demand dictates, at variable pricing, in weeks rather than months, and configured through a central control panel. This means fulfillment nodes can be spun up using minimal investment (operational budget) in a very quick time.

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