It's an interesting time for those making decisions about warehouse technology. Automated systems have emerged that can dramatically improve productivity, efficiency and space utilization. But, you’re likely also seeing a lot of news about how Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things will enable smarter, more adaptive warehouses in the future. Will today’s investments be made obsolete by future developments? The reality is there’s always something new coming and it’s necessary for each organization to weigh the risks of waiting against the risk of adopting technology too early. In the case of warehouse automation, the technology has matured significantly in…
The rapid growth of e-commerce and rising consumer expectations are prompting retailers to adjust their order fulfillment strategies to keep up with these demands. Luckily, several enabling technologies are coming of age which allow retailers to respond accordingly. Here's a quick overview of the most effective strategies and solutions currently available, which can be combined and integrated in multiple ways to meet any fulfillment operation's unique needs. Enhance Picking Productivity Many DCs have already made the shift to paperless picking solutions, which increase productivity by up to 50%. Depending on your business needs, productivity can be enhanced with one or…
The human hand is a wondrous device. The complexity of its design is such that even the most advanced grippers pale in comparison. It does have its shortcomings, mainly in strength, stamina, and durability. But the range of tasks it can accomplish is staggering. What makes the hand even greater is its connection to the eyes. Your arm and hand are not programmed to take one static path to grab something. Hand eye coordination enables an infinite number of moves. Consider the difference between these five tasks: Pick that up from that place. Pick any of these objects from those…
As seen in recent headlines, major companies like Kellogg Co., UPS and Google are executing large sustainable and “green” goals not only to benefit the company’s bottom line, but to accommodate consumers. An online study by Nielsen found that three-out-of-four millennials are willing to pay extra for sustainable products. Companies that market their sustainability practices are more likely to build brand reputation and grow loyalty among younger consumers. Three popular ways to “go green” in the workplace are to reduce carbon emissions, purchase green products, and implement automation into your warehouse. Adding automation, like an automated storage and retrieval system…
With high consumer demands comes more product and increased sales, resulting in growth. Growth is great, but where do you put all of the new product being produced and how do you get it to your customers quickly? In a recent study conducted by Peerless Media, it was confirmed that most of the respondents are indeed experiencing growth in their companies. Respondents also made it clear that their two largest issues were with insufficient space and outdated storage, picking or materials handling equipment. Aaron Corcoran, account executive at Westfalia, and guest speaker Dave Williams, director of software and solution delivery…
Often, the number of orders that need to be fulfilled per day dictates the degree of automation required. Regardless of your DC's specific requirements and throughput rates, the right sortation automation solution helps enable the process efficiencies needed to meet rising service level agreements. From receiving and put-away to picking and packing, sortation technology plays a role in nearly every aspect of DC operations. Sortation Automation In Intelligrated's next On The Move webinar, titled “Sort it out! Making smart sortation automation decisions,” Satyen Pathak, senior product manager, will discuss the full range of sortation automation solutions that are available for…
