Warehouse automation: The technology changing this crucial sector

How will this sector change in the future? According to Joloda Conveyor Services, a company specialising in conveyor maintenance, the answer lies in automation.
Automation is the process of using machines, software, and systems that speed up processes or activities previously performed by people. Since humans are fallible and repetitive work tends to be demotivating and even dangerous, it emerges as a way to increase the efficiency of companies and the quality of life at work.
Why is automation useful for warehouses?

It brings numerous benefits. Automated systems can operate non-stop, 24 hours a day, with little need for maintenance. This technology is also widely recognised for eliminating errors made in manual labour, especially in inventory management, order picking, and data entry.

The speed of task completion is also an important factor. Automated systems and robots can process far more products in less time than humans, which translates into giant company productivity leaps.

It's also necessary to consider the cost-benefit factor. Although automating a warehouse may require a high initial capital expenditure, the return on investment occurs very rapidly, thanks to the increase in productivity brought by technology. Additionally, automation also results in a lesser need for labour. The systems are also highly flexible and able to be expanded or decreased according to need, avoiding the waste of resources. Moreover, the automation of a warehouse reduces the company's energy consumption and decreases refuse production, positively impacting the business's sustainability efforts, an essential competitive factor in the eyes of investors and consumers.

In warehouses with limited space or where expansion cannot meet the increase in demand, automation can be even more beneficial, as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) can utilise greater vertical spaces. As a result, more products can be stored in a smaller area.

Adopting automation technologies also increases team safety. These systems can perform tasks that would otherwise be dangerous for humans, such as lifting heavy items or working in areas with a high risk of falling objects.

One of the most significant benefits of automation is the learning that can be obtained from data collection. This information, gathered through specialised software, provides valuable insights for inventory management, demand predictability, and operational adjustments.

The future of automation for warehouses

When you think of the future, what comes to mind? If you said robots and artificial intelligence, you are absolutely right. Through predictive analysis, Artificial Intelligence will be able to optimise inventory management and improve stock levels in ways we can hardly imagine today.

Mobile Autonomous Robots are already part of our daily lives and will become even more common in the logistics sector, collecting - through stock-keeping units (SKUs) - and transporting products at unparalleled speeds. They will be accompanied by another futuristic technology: picking robots. These automatons are specifically designed to improve the tasks of sorting and collecting products and goods.

It's worth noting that "mobile autonomous robots" and "picking robots" are similar but not the same thing. They complement each other in that mobile autonomous robots are responsible for transporting items within a warehouse, while picking robots are experts in classifying these objects and completing orders.

Automation is also a trend in cross-docking, the practice of transferring products and materials to trucks as soon as these goods enter the warehouse. This means that the products are stored for very short periods. Automation will further accelerate this process, reducing the time required to move these items within the warehouse and increasing the productivity of the logistics department.

It is impossible to talk about the future without mentioning drones. Experts anticipate that, soon, they will be used in direct delivery services to consumers, revolutionising how the world distributes anything from medicine to luxury items. Some cities already have pilot projects in this regard.

Finally, but no less importantly, there will be changes brought about by conveyors. This equipment was one of the first forms of automation used by warehouses worldwide and, over time, has evolved to continue to be essential. Due to the integrated artificial intelligence systems that will be used in warehouses in the future, conveyors will have even greater speed and accuracy.

The future of warehouse automation relies on a combination of advanced AI and autonomous robotics to create a cohesive and highly productive ecosystem. These advancements will redefine warehouse operations and significantly impact the broader supply chain and logistics industry. The best way to prepare for this brave new world is by embracing the change and studying how to make the most of it.

www.jolodaconveyorservices.com