A Complete Breakdown of Warehouse Automation Technology and Who It Benefits
Warehouse operations can be challenging and just plain frustrating at times. Several boxes need to be checked to ensure a smooth distribution. This supply chain process is a continuous cycle of responsibilities, so you can’t count on the work to end once a product reaches its destination. Whether you’re controlling production on the front line, managing inventory, or transporting products, you can expect to have your hands full with various tasks.
Automating your process can help make the day-to-day much easier for everyone involved in the operation, and you’ll see that in today’s blog as we break down the key benefits of warehouse automation machinery.
The Impact of Automation on Employment
When you automate your warehouse, labor productivity is almost guaranteed to skyrocket. Not only will this expedite fulfillment, but it can also improve efficiency in other areas. Adding an automated platform to your fleet can take a lot of pressure off your employees. These solutions minimize physical labor, which frees up time for you to improve productivity in different stages of the supply chain. And because these resources are programmed to perform the big tasks, you can also expect fewer human errors, more uptime, and greater cash flow.
Let’s take a deeper look at the effects of automation technology and the impact it can have on your entire staff.
Distribution Center Managers
A distribution center (DC) manager plays a role in the entire supply chain process. They lead daily activities, manage budgets, and establish shipping and receiving strategies, all while hiring and training employees. A warehouse automation system handles the manual warehouse tasks and gives flexibility to DC managers so they can focus on fostering a more effective workforce. Because robots are doing all the heavy lifting, the DC manager has more time to enforce safety and efficiency standards, recruit team members, and create better delivery strategies.
Inventory Control Specialists
An inventory control manager oversees all inventory-related procedures and milestones. These experts control the budget while managing shelf space in the warehouse. They help keep the warehouse organized and audit inventory so that no products overstay their welcome. A scalable warehouse automation system makes it easy for inventory specialists to keep up with demands. This ensures a steady flow of products is always cycling in and out of your warehouse.
Warehouse Managers
Warehouse managers are responsible for making sure warehouse operations run smoothly, and they act as the direct supervisor onsite. These experts provide instruction to staff members while managing receipts, storage, and inventory. A warehouse manager also conducts the final dispatch. Being involved in so many aspects of the operation increases the chance of human error, but warehouse automation helps keep those issues at bay. Automation eliminates manual entry tasks and organizes the picking and packing of products. Certain software applications can even relay instructions to team members.
Material Handling Units
Material handlers direct freight and stock to and from loading docks, storage areas, and production areas. Essentially, they are responsible for positioning stock loads in different areas of the warehouse. Warehouse automation can simplify this entire workflow. Material handlers can program different machines to collect heavy or large items throughout multiple areas of the warehouse. Not only does this speed up tasks, but it also helps eliminate injury risk for those operating machines.
Pick and Packers
The average warehouse worker spends the majority of their days order picking, which is the process of extracting products from the warehouse. This can be a long and exhausting way to pull inventory off the shelves. Not only do you have to navigate where products are, but you must be able to get them onto the loading dock and transported to the right stage. An automated warehouse picking system can simplify this entire procedure. This bar scanner not only pinpoints where items are in the warehouse, but it also gives insight about specific orders and the amount of inventory stored. Users can also operate adjustable arms to get those hard-to-reach items. Because these machines take care of all the heavy lifting and product movement, warehousers can preserve time and energy to tend to more strategic matters.
Warehouse Clerks
Warehouse clerks are responsible for organizing and processing orders. And when they’re not coordinating product shipments, they help inventory managers in stocking and shelving initiatives. Automation technology helps warehousing clerks prepare orders more efficiently. Clerks receive an alert every time a product expires and when shipment orders are past due. This helps encourage a safer and more efficient distribution process.
Embrace the Right Automation Equipment
If you’re looking to give your warehouse an extra boost, then automation is the right answer, and the experts at ROI have all the best options. We’re an all-inclusive source for today’s best pallet-handling equipment. Our PalletPOD gallery is chocked full of everything you need, including pallet dispensing equipment, robot integration, conveyor systems, or load transferring technology. We don’t supply a one-size-fits-all product. With us, you can expect a custom solution that fits your needs and aligns with your budget.
When you’re ready to take advantage of a safer, more productive working environment, contact us to find the machinery that serves you best.
Let’s take a deeper look at the effects of automation technology and the impact it can have on your entire staff.