It is no longer news that automation is transforming the way we work.
Companies focused on efficiency and high productivity are increasingly investing in automation to leverage their strengths, reinforce areas with deficiencies and increase their production capacity. These actions do not mean giving up the human workforce, which is trained for strategic process functions.
More precisely, automation solutions applied to logistics and intralogistics aim to offer solutions to meet needs arising from different sales channels, as well as meet specific production and demand philosophies, with the ultimate goal of effectively implementing a faster delivery system with a high level of service.
Warehouse automation is directly related to product movement, as it increases the speed of locating any SKU (Stock Keeping Unit), in addition to streamlining inventory management, allowing for more accurate counts and always up-to-date related inventory data.
There are countless application possibilities, ranging from solutions such as a Stacker Crane – designed to automate the flow of warehouses that operate with heavy pallets, covering everything from receiving to shipping – to Good to Person solutions, which bring smaller volumes to the worker, recommended for operations with dynamic and unpredictable growth rates such as fulfilling orders over the Internet, where there is a great need for flexibility, adaptability and scalability.
But when it comes to decision-making, that question always comes up among managers of large warehouses:
When is the time to automate activities?
The decision to become an automated warehouse should not be based solely on financial considerations, but also on aspects that directly impact the warehouse's operationality, considering a medium to long-term context.
To help answer this question, we have listed below some crucial moments in which the manager needs to analyze the viability of investment in the acquisition and installation of equipment and software necessary for automation:
– The movement and volume of goods are already high or are growing at a steady pace,
– The warehouse started to manage a large number of SKU's (Stock Keeping Unit),
– Orders or loads to be delivered require classification and order according to the buyer’s requirements,
– The need to optimize the process and reduce costs has become essential for the competitiveness and growth of the business,
– More precise inventory control is required, which makes it possible to apply just-in-time logistics,
– It is estimated that the return on investment can be achieved in a very short time.
Bertolini also offers consulting services, analyzing logistics data, aiming to help define the viability of automating your operation.
We can help you define and implement automated projects, as we have a wide range of solutions, from motorized conveyors to autonomous vehicle systems.
