How does warehouse automation work?

Using automation in a warehouse is a great way to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and boost your profits. This will help you to remain competitive and take your business to the next level. Understanding how warehouse automation works is a great first step in making a plan to accomplish your goals.

One of the biggest reasons that companies use warehouse automation is to help improve efficiency. Any time you can take tasks that a person would normally do, and have it completed automatically by a computer system or machine, you will free up employees to do more complex work. For example, you can automate the movement of parts or packages using a series of conveyer belts or other similar systems.

Another benefit of automation is that it increases the accuracy of the work that is done in the facility. This is often done by using barcodes on every item that is being stored or used in the warehouse. This way teams can simply scan a barcode to determine where it needs to be kept, or where to go when it needs to be retrieved.

Automation + Robots

Many modern warehouses use robotic arms to add and remove items from the shelving in the facility. These robotic arms can move much more quickly than a person, and they are able to reach any item in the area without a problem. While they can be expensive to set up initially, robotic arms in a warehouse can improve efficiency dramatically, which will end up saving money over time.

When evaluating your warehouse for automation opportunities it is important to look at any type of repetitive or inefficient work that is currently being done. In many cases, this type of work will be able to be automated by either existing or customized systems. The more that can be automated, the more efficient the facility will be, which helps to set it up for long term success.