How Warehouse Automation Is Significant to Improve Efficiency

With the right combination of technological innovation and digitization with documents scanning service, warehouses can keep up customer satisfaction.

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Technology is changing the business landscape in various ways. An important change is visible in the shopping behaviour of people – nowadays online shopping has become the norm for many consumers. With the increased need to deliver products to customers as quickly as possible, warehouse professionals are finding it a huge challenge to keep up with the rising demands. To make things easier, warehouse professionals are now switching to digitization of warehouse. Document scanning companies are assisting these businesses in their digitization efforts. By converting all data into its digital format, the business can track the inventory quickly and minimize the chance of any human error. In the next 2 to 10 years, a predicted surge in the preference for digital transformation will bring fundamental changes to the way warehouses operate.

According to a survey by the MHI Annual Industry Report , around 80% of respondents believe that digitalization has the power to disrupt the industry. For warehouse digitization, there are 7 aspects that need to be considered. 

Collection of real time data and better interconnectivity:

For maximum

efficiency, the warehouse and supply chain of the system need to be transparent, and Blockchain is the right measure that can bring transparency at all levels. Blockchain technology helps to distribute information faster and makes real time data exchange efficient and transparent. However, it requires IoT or Internet of Things, which is an ecosystem of sensory devices that are interconnected via digital networks. It helps to collect and transmit data in real time without any human intervention. All of these technologies together ensure real-time visibility and seamless collaboration between chain partners and process in an efficient manner. 

Mobility of warehouse : Today people’s workstations have shifted from desktops to smartphones and mobile devices. Devices and apps substantially reduce walking time and allow warehouse employees to work and access data on the go even outside of the warehouse. The new warehouse mobile solutions can provide operational efficiency and computational power. Functions such as cloud integration, imaging (pictures & video), tracking, video-conferencing, voice/face recognition etc. help with effective transforming of warehousing operations.

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Use of Autonomous Guided Vehicles: Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) are a substitute for forklifts that can revolutionize the way cargo is transported inside and outside the warehouse. Companies like Amazon are using this technology and it helps

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to reduce costs, time, and human effort. AGVs like drones help with locating cargo, conducting inventory, cycle counting, and performing stock-taking operations, and these are a safe and economical option. Drones can reach even the farthest regions in a warehouse, complete checks and manage inventory in less than one third of the time required for doing it manually. 

Machine learning and analytics : An increasing number of warehouse managers are interpreting data trends to anticipate stocks and optimize warehouse capacity and asset utilization. Here with statistical techniques such as predictive modeling, big data and data mining, predictive analytics helps to analyze historical trends and make predictions about the future. Predictive analysis along with AI optimizes inventory levels, replenishing inventory, and increases operational efficiency.

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Connected

people

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technology:

Digitized

modern

warehouse

provides

interconnection between people and warehouse technology, which is enabled by wearables. This technology helps warehouse clerks and managers access a wide spectrum of information in real time, irrespective of their location, environment, and physical constraints. Wearables like smart glasses, augmented reality, and voiceenabled devices are becoming popular. This ensures better flow of information, better visibility, improved safety, less error and increased level of service at lower operating costs. 

Robotics and automation: Automation and robotics help to simplify manual tasks with less time and cost and thereby improve efficiency. In the next few years, robots are expected to serve more like humans in the aspects of memory, sensing, and affinity to learning without being programmed. According to a survey conducted in 2015 by Zebra to study advancement in warehousing in the next 5 years, as many as 70% of respondents were looking to automate their warehouses/warehouse processes.

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Real-time inventory management: There is heavy pressure on warehouse managers to bring more efficiency in inventory management. For that they need more visibility and control over inventory. Automatic identification systems such as smart sensors, RFID GPS, etc. provide end-to-end visibility of inventory and operational intelligence through the data that these sensors collect in the process. It optimizes inventory management as well as makes the warehouse safer while increasing visibility.

To meet the needs of the customers and also to stay competitive, warehouses should implement technology to reduce errors and increase processing speeds. With the right

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combination of technological innovation, skilled human input and digitization with documents scanning service, warehouses can ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction.

www.managedoutsource.com

(800) 670 2809