An Innovation for Every Logistics Need

Save space, reduce errors, handle urgent orders—all while maintaining exceptional performance. How can automation meet the diverse and sometimes conflicting demands of logistics warehouses? Pierre-Eliott Petit, Product Marketing Manager at Exotec, takes us to the heart of innovation.

How can we meet warehouse needs as precisely as possible?
“At Exotec, we start by identifying the customer’s challenges and design solutions tailored to their specific needs and long-term goals, informed by in-depth initial studies,” explains Pierre-Eliott Petit. What sets their approach to warehouse automation apart? “We go beyond traditional goods-to-person storage and picking systems. Our fully integrated solutions encompass the entire warehouse.”

With 2.7 billion online shoppers expected by 2024 and nearly 115,000 orders processed hourly in France alone, logistics warehouses face mounting throughput demands. They must deliver orders on time while upholding high standards of service and personalisation to offer end customers an exceptional experience that fosters loyalty. How can speed and quality in order preparation rise to meet these increasing expectations?

The Exotec Solution

Exotec’s robotic warehouse automation system seamlessly combines cutting-edge hardware and software. The Skypod^® autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) navigate in three dimensions to deliver items directly to operators. These robots are fully integrated with Exotec’s proprietary warehouse execution system (WES), which tracks product locations with precision, enabling rapid retrieval.

Back-to-school, sales, Black Friday—warehouses frequently face seasonal peaks. Can efficiency be sustained during high-demand periods without a complete overhaul of the supply chain?

The Exotec Solution

“We calibrate the system to handle peak order volumes from the outset,” explains Pierre-Eliott Petit. Upon installation, the system is calibrated to handle peak order volumes. And when the number of orders surges? Exotec has a solution. The robots’ configuration is standardised, allowing them to be quickly added during peak periods to enhance system capacity and performance, thanks to a robot rental system.

‘ We work with customers who need orders placed in the morning shipped by evening, ” says Pierre-Eliott Petit. “For instance, we supply parts to electrical repair companies where same-day delivery is crucial for urgent repairs.” Such emergencies disrupt the supply chain. How can warehouses maintain performance while enhancing responsiveness?

The Exotec Solution

On the software side (WES Deepsky^®), the system is programmed with specific rules to prioritise urgent orders. On the hardware side, every robot maintains uninterrupted access to the entire inventory. In emergency situations, “dedicated robots, selected and prioritised by the software, retrieve the required items and deliver them directly to the operator.” This approach also proves highly effective for returns logistics: “A return received in the morning can be processed and dispatched again the same afternoon,” explains Pierre-Eliott Petit.

Order errors create a cascade of issues: “ Returns incur costs, increase carbon emissions, and risk customer dissatisfaction, ” warns Pierre-Eliott Petit. By automating storage and picking, human error is significantly reduced.

The Exotec Solution

From stock management to the ergonomics of picking stations, every element is meticulously designed to minimise errors. Pierre-Eliott Petit explains: “ The robot delivers only the exact items the operator needs to prepare. At the picking station, we’ve refined the human-machine interface for optimal simplicity and efficiency, enabling operators to focus on preparing multiple orders with identical items, which significantly reduces potential errors. ”.

Moreover, the system performs random or targeted inventories to minimise stock discrepancies. How does this work? When a bin reaches the operator’s station, the operator verifies the item count, updating the stock levels in real time.

Scaling a warehouse to support business growth is a critical supply chain challenge. The question remains: to automate or not to automate? Technological solutions and processes must be versatile enough to handle fluctuations in activity levels both in the medium and long term.

The Exotec Solution

Picking stations, racks, and robots form a standardised, scalable system that works seamlessly in both automated and manual warehouse environments. “We’ve designed a universal solution that remains consistent across different setups.”
However, this system is far from rigid: storage bins can be tailored to accommodate the unique characteristics and formats of your products, while trays are adaptable to all container types.
As an integrator of automated solutions, Exotec ensures smooth compatibility with existing or future equipment—such as handling, packing, labelling, and sorting—via its advanced software suite.

Thanks to its modular design, the system offers unmatched flexibility, allowing for effortless expansion of storage capacity, the addition of robots, or the integration of new preparation stations as your needs evolve over time.

As order volumes grow and warehouse space becomes scarcer, Pierre-Eliott Petit explains: “To cut delivery times and lower carbon emissions, companies are moving closer to their end customers. However, end customers are often based in urban areas, where logistics real estate is both limited and expensive. By adopting a system that maximises storage density, businesses can reduce their footprint while minimising real estate and energy costs.”

The Exotec Solution

“We don’t store air,” Pierre-Eliott Petit remarks. “Rather than expanding horizontally, we optimise storage vertically.” Exotec’s high-density storage system can reach up to 12 metres in height, incorporating double-depth bins and trays. The strategic use of robots eliminates the need for extensive conveyor lines, significantly reducing the space required for order picking while enhancing efficiency.

Repetitive tasks, labour shortages, and the risk of human error are ongoing challenges in warehouse operations. Robotisation offers a way to enhance employee well-being while addressing staffing difficulties. Pierre-Eliott Petit clarifies: “Our mission isn’t to replace jobs but to fill gaps caused by an existing, well-documented labour shortage.”

The Exotec Solution

“Our solutions are designed for warehouses that rely heavily on manual operations,” he explains. The focus is on reducing repetitive tasks while boosting efficiency. “ With our system, robots handle the transportation of loads directly to operators. This automates the entire storage and order picking process, eliminating the need for operators to walk to retrieve items. ”