Warehouse Automation: What Does It Actually Entail?

Risk management, business performance, and HR: placing the supply chain at the heart of corporate strategy. Whether aiming to optimise labour costs, handle seasonal peaks more effectively, or enhance resilience to socio-economic challenges, discover how warehouse automation can fulfil these goals while driving growth.

So, what does it mean to automate a logistics warehouse? Essentially, it involves implementing a system that integrates hardware and software — a Warehouse Execution System (WES) that directs a fleet of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR robots). This setup enhances both the efficiency and safety of logistics operations, while easing the physical demands on employees.

Warehouse automation spans storage, picking, and order fulfilment processes. It begins with high-density storage racks, reaching heights of up to 12 metres with Exotec systems. AMR robots retrieve products for each order and transport them along conveyors. These conveyors then deliver the items to ergonomic picking stations, where operators finalise the orders.
Meanwhile, the WES prioritises and optimises workflows, coordinating seamlessly with a Warehouse Management System (WMS) for an integrated approach.

How does an automated warehouse contribute to business expansion? Here are three key advantages that enable supply chains to thrive.

Warehouse Automation and Risk Management

The Skypod automated warehouse system, with its modular and standardised racks, suits a variety of warehouse configurations. Its software allows new robots to be quickly and easily integrated as demand grows.

Flexibly managing peak periods and unexpected events is essential. The system can prioritise flows based on urgency, and additional robots can be rented during high-demand seasons to bolster capacity.

“The automation software communicates data automatically and in real time to Exotec’s control centre, 24/7, 365 days a year, allowing 90% of troubleshooting to be handled remotely.”
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This adaptability bolsters the supply chain’s resilience, enabling it to respond to fluctuating demands and align with the company’s strategy.

Warehouse Automation and Sales

What happens when a business scales rapidly and continuously? An automated warehouse with a modular architecture can swiftly adapt, expanding in line with growth.

A traditional warehouse can be automated in a matter of months to meet rising order volumes, and the system can be easily adjusted if demand slows. Additionally, real-time data collection on order volumes, flow consistency, and processing times offers valuable insights for refining the company’s strategy.

Warehouse Automation and HR

Labour shortages affect 76% of logistics operations worldwide. Automation addresses this by reducing physically demanding tasks while improving productivity.

In an automated setup, picking stations work on the goods-to-person principle: operators no longer need to walk vast distances to gather items for orders. With Exotec’s ergonomic designs, workstations minimise physical strain, prioritising the comfort and well-being of warehouse staff.

When it comes to operator workstations, Exotec’s watchword is comfort above all else. Ergonomists have designed them to minimise the physical effort required of teams, and thus enhance the well-being of warehouse staff. For an immersive experience, take a virtual tour of a Skypod-equipped warehouse and see logistics warehouse automation in action.