Warehouse Automation—the Secret to More Efficiency and Productivity

Taking advantage of the right automation technology boosts warehouse efficiency to help drive profitability and productivity in the supply chain.

A supply chain operation requires intensive labor, extensive planning, and careful execution. It’s an ongoing effort that calls for a tremendous amount of work and organization from a warehousing staff. But certain automation technology can help simplify the mission for everyone involved.

In this post, we cover what those tools are and explain how they can make a difference in your warehouse.

How Automation Can Increase Efficiency

The supply chain presents many unique challenges. Fulfilling orders by deadlines can be difficult when you’re constantly dealing with issues related to operational growth, budget constraints, and inventory shortages. Material handling equipment can help streamline the labor-intensive tasks, but certain machines can be more of a liability than an asset. Think about what happens if your machinery shuts down. How are you going to get orders shipped off in time?

Working in a warehouse does require problem-solving abilities, but no one should have to deal with too much downtime. Not only does this put more stress on your employees, but it also slows down production, which may delay orders and prevent you from turning a profit. But when you automate your warehouse, you’ll be able to eliminate these frustrations.

Here are three of the main reasons warehouse automation technology makes sense:

Improved Productivity

Keeping a supply chain running smoothly is much easier said than done. When it comes to warehouse management, several boxes need to be checked. The day is filled with work, both physical and mental. Crossing everything off the to-do list won’t always be possible, but warehouse automation can help make this a more realistic task.

Adjustable robotics help when it’s time to tackle those labor-intensive jobs such as order picking and inventory control. Warehouse managers can program this technology to move and place items in different stations of the facility. Because this sophisticated technology can do all the heavy lifting for you, expect fewer workplace injuries and a safer, more efficient material handling process. This helps free up more time in your day-to-day so you can focus on the critical objectives of the business.

Less Cluttered Warehouse Space

A clean and comfortable workspace is a necessity in the supply chain process. When running a warehouse operation, it’s vital to take advantage of every available inch on your production floor. Automation can help you get the most out of any available space.

Warehouse management software gives users the ability to design custom warehouse layouts. This makes it easy for you to create and maintain a workplace that’s neat, organized, and open. These platforms also add strategic value. Users can streamline distribution efforts by assigning lesser-used inventory to higher shelves and keeping more frequently used items near the shipping area.

It’s not just the software that helps provide sufficient space. Today’s material handling equipment is engineered with fully automated controls. This machinery is designed with a sleek and compact body style, which makes it easy to maneuver in congested areas. And its adjustable components mean the machine can fit in an area that doesn’t have a lot of foot traffic, which helps eliminate storage frustrations.

Better Inventory Management

Warehouse management software makes it easy for employees to complete administrative and housekeeping tasks. No longer will you have to deal with latency and errors with manual data processing. When you run an operational audit, you’ll be able to access real-time data on all of your inventory and check the status of products stored within the warehouse.

Users can retrieve the following information with just a simple scan:

Storage Location
Product Shelf Life
Storage Space Availability
Expiration Dates
Delivery Schedules
Existing Inventory
Incoming Inventory
Product Condition

Automation Improvements You Can Trust

When it comes to warehouse automation, ROI Industries Group is an all-inclusive source for everything you need. We support clients with the tools to get the job done right. When you’re ready to turn your warehouse operation into a safer, more productive work zone, we’ll be there to take things up a few notches.

We’ll help you leverage success with a wide range of the industry’s top automation equipment, including:

Want to learn more about the best warehouse optimization solutions on the market? Contact us today to get started with your free consultation.