Logistics automation harnesses technology to improve warehouse efficiency. Numerous processes can be automated, such as:
- Goods receipt
- Order fulfillment
- Stock control
- Order dispatch
Automated warehouses utilize equipment like stacker cranes and conveyors to enhance various logistics functions.
Which Processes Can Be Automated in Logistics?
Automation is a vital partner for businesses looking to improve service quality, shorten delivery times, increase shipment volumes, prevent stockouts, and anticipate demand changes. Let’s delve into the processes frequently automated in logistics:
In-Warehouse Movements of Goods
Logistics encompasses many product movements, including goods receipt, order preparation, dispatch, and customer deliveries. An effective way to automate these movements is by implementing a conveyor system, composed of various elements that transport, accumulate, and distribute goods as necessary in logistics operations.
Goods Storage
Product storage can also be automated using machines like stacker cranes designed for pallets or boxes. These machines efficiently move both horizontally and vertically within aisles to store and retrieve products. For businesses managing small items, miniload systems can streamline goods management and expedite order picking. The miniload automates the insertion and extraction of boxes from racks and directs them onto conveyors for operators to prepare orders. “The miniload warehouse has provided us with tremendous benefits, particularly in reducing errors and significantly increasing throughput.
Truck Loading and Unloading
The truck loading and unloading process can be automated through automatic truck loading systems (ATLS), which manage pallet insertion and extraction with minimal human involvement. Grupo Siro, one of Spain’s largest producers of cookies, pasta, pastries, and cereals, has implemented an ATLS to speed up loading and unloading in their high-volume warehouse.
Inbound Inspection Checkpoint
Goods receipt is a critical function in logistics. Typically, products arriving at automated warehouses undergo a checkpoint to verify compliance with storage requirements. The inbound inspection can be automated using conveyors along with automatic pallet checking and gauging systems. An automated quality control station at the beginning of a conveyor line validates products by checking dimensions, stability, pallet condition, weight, and barcode accuracy.
Order Picking
Order processing significantly influences business productivity. Manual picking requires operators to navigate the warehouse to locate necessary SKUs. However, automation enhances throughput during order preparation and dispatch. One effective method is the goods-to-person approach, where automated systems like stacker cranes and conveyors transport goods to operators.
Why Automate Logistics Processes?
Implementing automated solutions in logistics is now a strategic choice for organizations. Automatic handling equipment efficiently manages tasks like picking, conveying, and storage, reducing manual errors and ensuring consistent product flow. This is vital for businesses with high warehouse movement rates, benefiting from continuous operations of conveyors and stacker cranes. Even companies handling frozen products utilize automation to improve throughput and increase cycle counts.
When to Automate a Warehouse
Logistics automation is typically applied to repetitive tasks, such as:
- Truck loading and unloading
- Storage
- Product movements
Here are some triggers that may prompt a company to automate its warehouse:
- Accelerate processes: E-commerce growth demands faster deliveries; automation reduces lead times and errors.
- Manage orders: Automation boosts picking efficiency in warehouses with high order volumes, aiding product organization.
- Adapt to changes: Companies can automate logistics for greater supply chain flexibility, expanding storage and handling capacity.
- Maximize storage: Automation optimizes limited warehousing space, with machines like stacker cranes operating in narrower aisles than forklifts.
Processes That Can Be Automated: More Efficient Logistics
Automated processes can enhance productivity and streamline storage operations. Utilizing handling equipment such as conveyors and stacker cranes can improve efficiency across various sectors in supply chains.