What are the key benefits of an automated warehouse?
Let's face it, investing in warehouse automation is expensive, complex and potentially risky. However, have you evaluated the cost of an inefficient warehouse? Initially, it's zero, but in the long run, the hidden costs, such as stock-outs, low service levels, unhappy customers, etc. could be fatal to your business. Depending on your budget and needs, warehouse automation systems offer many possibilities and can help solve business-specific challenges and strengthen your competitive advantage. Investing in warehouse automation is well worth the effort: optimized inventory management, reduced operational costs, and increased employee and customer satisfaction. Automation that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning can compile market data, customer demands, real-time inventory levels, and
replenishment and manufacturing lead times to optimize inventory management. The level of automation will depend on your business needs and can range from basic optimization recommendations to full autonomous management. In fact, a warehouse where only robots circulate can maximize storage surface since it is not necessary to comply with safety standards, particularly in terms of aisle width. In extreme automation cases, when the warehouse is 100% automated, lighting is not necessary, which can represent significant energy savings. Automation of the picking process not only relieves your employees from performing repetitive and tedious tasks, but it allows them to concentrate on added value operations, which makes work more satisfactory. This reduces employee turnover and recruitment costs as well as gives you the opportunity to capitalize on training and experience.