Warehouses are often a complex environment. Various technologies are available to help optimize warehouse operations, including WMS, TMS, and more.
Innovative warehouse technology can increase accuracy and productivity. It can also reduce overall warehouse costs. It’s essential to set a working environment that values improving processes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Automated Guided Vehicles
AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are robotic systems that execute crucial warehouse tasks without human intervention. They use sensors, cameras, lasers, radio frequencies, and GPS to navigate a digital path through warehouses and facilities and avoid collisions with products and employees.
They can also be used for storing and picking orders. These smart warehouse technology solutions increase worker productivity and reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
Warehouse management software in WarehousingIT offers real-time inventory levels, movement, and location visibility. It also supports shipment tracking to enable end-to-end supply chain visibility.
If your business needs more advanced functionality than out-of-the-box warehouse technology can provide, consider custom development.
Mobile and Wearable Technologies
As an integral warehouse mobile technology solution, rugged tablets and vehicle-mounted computers reduce data collection time and provide instant access to critical systems. This allows business owners to improve operations and create a safer working environment for employees.
Wearables enable warehouse workers to scan barcodes with the tap of a finger, eliminating the need for handheld scanners. This reduces inventory management errors and increases accuracy in processing orders and tracking inventory levels.
In addition, warehouse wearables are the world’s first all-in-one Android enterprise-class wearable mobile computer and industrial barcode scanner that enables fast, accurate order picking. They also gather information about workers’ physical activities and locations, allowing businesses to identify when employees need extra support or training.
RFID
Unlike barcode scanning, which relies on line-of-sight, RFID technology tracks items even when hidden behind pallets or boxes. It also updates the inventory count automatically, eliminating human error and saving valuable time.
Integrated with warehouse management software, RFID tags, and fixed readers automatically feed vital information like SKU numbers and locations directly into the system. This reduces the need for employees to manually input data into a database, minimizing potential mistakes and enhancing productivity.
Whether in a retail store, manufacturing plant, or hospital, keeping track of inventory is critical. Inaccurate tracking can lead to erroneous reports on product performance, leave organizations unaware of employee theft or shrinkage (a $94 billion problem in the U.S. alone), or prevent a hospital from reordering lifesaving supplies.
Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered machinery improves the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse operations by mimicking human capabilities and reducing labor costs. This technology can automate time-intensive tasks such as product unloading, picking, and packing. This enables faster fulfillment speeds and precise inventory management, increasing customer satisfaction and profitability.
AI can help streamline warehouse operations by analyzing data and patterns to optimize storage space. This eliminates wasted space and ensures popular products are readily available for customers.
AI-based systems can also assist in supply planning by forecasting demand based on current and historical sales trends. This allows companies to restock when necessary, minimizing stockouts and overstocking while reducing holding costs. Accurate inventory management is essential for any warehouse, and AI brings unprecedented precision to this aspect of logistics.
Automation
Warehouse automation is a symphony of cutting-edge technologies that seamlessly streamline inventory, fulfillment, and order management processes. Companies from e-commerce to manufacturing use this technology to optimize operations and reduce costs while providing superior customer service.
Automated systems are designed to eliminate human error by handling repetitive, time-consuming tasks. This allows workers to focus on high-value activities and increases productivity.
Automatic systems analyze warehouse data to create a storage layout that maximizes space utilization. This cuts the cost of labor while ensuring that items are easily accessible when needed.
Collaborative robots work safely alongside humans, helping to speed up and simplify processes like picking and putting away items. This lowers shipping costs and improves the quality of orders.
