Smart warehousing is the full automation of virtually all repetitive and tedious warehouse work through the integration of new technologies. Like other forms of business automation, warehouse automation definitely improves productivity and save costs. When a warehouse is automated, many of the activities are simplified and done more efficiently with the help of robots and autonomous drones. According to forecasts by Tractica, logistics and warehousing robot shipments worldwide will grow from 194,000 units to 938,000 units from 2018 to 2022 as many companies rush to adopt robotic systems.
However, a smart warehouse is not just about automation but also the collaboration between machines and humans. Thanks to the Internet of things, a plethora of moving parts, i.e., products, devices, and workers, in a smart warehouse can be simply connected and managed in one network.
One of the biggest challenges related to connecting warehouse functions where thousands are handled daily is a large number of products, materials, equipment, and workers involved in operations. The Internet of things offers a revolutionary solution in that it enables the connection, monitoring, and management of unlimited data points through devices in a central warehouse management system. Here are some use cases of IoT in smart warehousing:
As it is known, companies are installing IoT sensors in their warehouses to monitor usage and movement of material and other assets inside your facility. You can also fit these sensors on shelves to transmit inventory information to your management system. IoT helps eliminate expensive and time-wasting mistakes by making sure inventory levels and equipment locations are known.
Another useful application of IoT in warehousing is wearable technology. Companies can use these devices to collect information about their workers at all points in the warehouse to boost efficiency and promote safety. For instance, wearables can detect employee exhaustion and suggest breaks for resting. A good example of a company that is already using IoT for this purpose is DHL.
IoT insights can also help robotic automation in warehouses become more efficient. For example, Lids, a fashion company, utilized IoT robotics to do tasks previously performed by workers and minimized human effort.
By embracing smart warehousing, companies stand to gain several benefits. Let’s highlight some of these advantages.
Automating warehousing is sure to make scanning and picking quite fast. And apart from that, it will make the movement of products as well as other necessary functions faster. As a result, it will be possible for the business manager to delegate staff to value-added operations, thus ensuring higher productivity is attained.
The adoption of warehouse robotics thanks to the insights drawn from the Internet of things show how businesses are leveraging smart warehousing techs to handle repetitive operations. Lids, a fashion firm, for example, was one of the first organizations to adopt IoT-enabled robots to replace humans in picking and packing procedures.
The technologies implemented in smart warehouses are automatic. It means that they cannot get tired after running continuously, resulting in reduced efficiency. As such, by embracing warehouse automation, companies can avoid the various mistakes that come about in the processes due to human limitations.
Smart warehousing technologies enable business executives to monitor numerous aspects of their companies on the go. For example, they can track employee performance as well as machine processes whenever they want.
By allowing for better productivity, fewer errors, and increased customer satisfaction, smart warehousing helps companies save on expenses. Furthermore, this technology enables companies to maximize their stocking and shipping costs, leading to significant savings.
Integrating the Internet of things in logistics provides a better solution for the management of data when compared to traditional systems. With this technology, it is easier to access, analyze, and store warehouse data.
Smart warehousing technologies can help in the streamlining of sales, billing, inventory management, as well as other processes. As such, it helps improve the overall performance of a business.
Smart warehousing presents the chance for a business to optimize its operations profitably. For this reason, it is essential to embrace this trend to ensure that a company stays competitive in the coming days. In that regard, business leaders should consider partnering with reliable technology partners to take their warehouse operations to the next level.
Credit: BecomingHuman By: inVerita
