After the COVID-19 pandemic, technologies, and automation are growing tremendously in all kinds of industries. So the Warehouse industry is entering and adopting an era, in which is more and more technology integrated such as AI, machine learning, and robotics, to have a competitive advantage in the market. 

WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION

Warehouse automation is using automation or technology to automate repetitive tasks, typically for a low cost and with a high degree of efficiency. This technology will perform tasks that were previously done by humans. Or in other words, It’s a solution for replacing or eliminating manual and human-intensive work to improve the performance of the operation. 

Why does your warehouse need Warehouse Automation? Warehouses are one of the most critical and complex to operate in the supply chain. Warehouse Automation is playing a major role in assisting in optimizing the supply chain by reducing cost, effort, time, and errors caused by manual tasks. It boosts accuracy by eliminating picking and packing errors, improves employee productivity, reduces cost and profitability, and improves safety.

You can be more delighted by the benefits of warehouse automation, but it also has pitfalls, especially in the implementation stage. Here are some common Automation challenges you might face, 

• Investment – Some automation requires a high initial cost with an average or even lower Return on Investment(ROI) 

• Customization – There was a lack of standardization in Automation in the past. It could take a full year or even more than a year for the deployment of the system to be fully developed.

• Rigidity – It can't be updated or disassembled once installed, for some outdated systems.

• Integration – Not all the Automation solutions will be able to integrate with your existing system.

• Maintenance – For some of the Automation tools, you might need frequent and costly maintenance and services to perform well.

Overcoming Common Warehouse Automation Challenges With Best Practices:

1. Getting the right team on board:

The success depends on how your business approaches Automation. First of all, you must assemble your internal team to organize and lead the project from the rest of your employees. There are plenty of misconceptions and misunderstandings about automation, and your team can confront these early in the process. Next, determine how you'll implement your automation solutions. Will this be a DIY solution, something the product's manufacturer can help with, or a project that needs an automation consultation? based on what number of systems you wish to integrate with, your answers may differ.

2. Considering the complete supply chain:

Most of the warehouse owners and managers are authorities only on what goes on internally. But a good automation solution will provide benefits and visibility throughout the complete supply chain. For example, you will be instantly benefited by getting real-time data about the location and important metrics using RFID labels and a shipper that also scans these items. 

3. Optimizing your Existing Systems:

First of all, you must look for which can be optimized for simple and labor-intensive operating works/tasks, before starting to bring and implement robots and automation tools to take over or replace all of your operations. Then, consider using a combination of solutions to simplify this process and make it more efficient.

4. Thinking long-term:

Automation solutions are scalable in today’s world. Assuming more systems are introduced into your warehouse, consider how they'll work together long-term to assist you to reduce the number of those common pitfalls. Then later on, in the long run, you will continue to experience the gains in productivity and efficiency you need.

Conclusion:

It might be complex to implement and use automation but In this current unpredictable environment, warehouse automation can be a powerful tool to give businesses a strong competitive advantage. 

Here, 13SQFT can help you by providing multiple types of automation on a shelf that will be best suitable for your operation and helps to boost your performance in the supply chain.