Tag Archive for: Automation

5 Warehouse Automation Myths Debunked

Debunking 5 Popular Warehouse Automation Myths

Automation continues to dominate conversations and recommendations in the warehouse and operations space, but there is still hesitation to implement it among many due to factors such as cost or complexity. Whether you’re an operations manager or a business owner, understanding the realities of warehouse automation can help you make informed decisions about investments that could impact your bottom line. Below, we debunk five popular automation myths.

Myth #1: Automation will lead to job losses

Reality: While automation can replace manual tasks, it can also improve employee’s quality of work, minimizing physical strain that can lead to employee discontent. Minimizing physical labor can free up employees’ time to focus on higher-value tasks that require critical thinking and decision-making. Automation can also create new jobs in areas such as maintenance, programming, and data analysis.

Myth #2: Automation requires a complete overhaul of existing warehouse operations

Reality: Automation can be implemented incrementally, with systems integrated into existing workflows. This allows companies to test and optimize automation processes without disrupting existing operations. Many automation solutions today can also provide flexibility for companies who may not be able to anticipate their growth or future needs.

Myth #3: Automation is only for large warehouses

Reality: Automation technology is available at a range of price points and can be customized to suit the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, smaller warehouses may find that automation is essential for remaining competitive, as it can help them optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.

Myth #4: Automation is too expensive

Reality: Implementing large automation solutions can require a significant upfront investment, however, the long-term cost savings and increased productivity far outweigh the initial costs. There are also simple, affordable automation solutions, such as barcode scanners and conveyor systems, that can make significant impacts at a lower upfront cost. Ultimately, the cost of automating a warehouse will depend on the specific needs and goals of the business, but it is possible to implement automation cost-effectively.

Myth #5: Automation is too complicated to implement and maintain

Reality: Although automation technology can be complex, companies can work with experienced vendors and integrators to design, implement and maintain systems. Additionally, many automation systems have built-in diagnostic tools that allow for easy maintenance and troubleshooting.

For warehouses of all sizes, the need to stay competitive through increased efficiency continues to drive the implementation of automation solutions. Although we debunked several myths regarding warehouse automation, it is still important to work with a trusted partner to ensure you find the best solution for your unique needs.

Storage Solutions is a technology agnostic partner that will work to find or develop the best solution for your warehouse. If you are ready to take the next step to implement automation in your operation, click here

5 Ways Automation Improves Your Warehouse’s Safety

Automation

The integration of automation continues to expand across the material handling industry, driven by labor shortages and the need to lower operating costs. Another benefit of automating your warehouse is improved safety in day-to-day operations.

Reduction of human errors

Human errors can lead to accidents in a warehouse, especially when dealing with heavy equipment and machinery. By automating specific tasks, you can substantially reduce the risk of human error. Machines and robots are programmed to perform tasks accurately and consistently, eliminating the risk of errors caused by human factors such as fatigue or distraction.

Minimization of physical strain

Manual labor can be physically taxing, leading to injury or long-term health issues such as repetitive strain injury (RSI). Automating tasks such as heavy lifting and transporting goods can considerably lower the physical strain on workers, thereby reducing the risk of injuries and health issues.

Improved ergonomics

Ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace and equipment to fit the user’s needs, abilities, and limitations. Automation can help improve ergonomics in a warehouse by allowing workers to operate machines and equipment without engaging in repetitive motions that can cause strains and injuries.

Better hazard identification

Automation can help identify hazards that may not be immediately apparent to workers. For example, sensors on machines and equipment can detect when a worker is too close to moving parts and automatically shut down the equipment. This can prevent accidents and injuries that may have been tough to avoid without automation.

Reduced risk of accidents

By improving safety through automation, the risk of accidents in a warehouse is significantly diminished. This can reduce workers’ compensation claims, insurance premiums, and lost productivity due to accidents.

If you are interested in improving safety in your warehouse, automation is a solution worth considering.

To learn more about the wide range of benefits of implementing automation, click here to connect with one of our automation experts!

5 Ways Automation Improves Customer Satisfaction

Automation

E-commerce growth has revolutionized how businesses operate, and warehouses play a crucial role in making it all possible. With advancements in technology, the automation of warehouses has become a popular, necessary trend in recent years. Automating your warehouse not only helps your business run more efficiently but can also have a significant impact on your customers. Below are five benefits that your customers will receive by implementing automation solutions into your warehouse operations.

Faster delivery times

One of the most significant benefits of incorporating automation into your warehouse is that it can substantially reduce the time it takes to process and fulfill orders. Automation can streamline the entire order fulfillment process, from receiving the order to packing and shipping. As a result, customers can receive their orders much faster, leading to increased customer satisfaction.

Improved accuracy

Automating your warehouse can also lead to increased accuracy in order fulfillment. Automated systems help eliminate errors that can occur during the execution of manual processes, such as mispicks or incorrect shipments. Enhanced accuracy can result in fewer returns and customer complaints, leading to a better overall customer experience.

Increased inventory visibility

Providing customers with accurate information on product availability in real-time is made possible with automated warehouse systems. With this information, customers can make informed purchasing decisions and avoid disappointment if a product is out of stock. Improved inventory visibility can also help businesses avoid overstocking and understocking, leading to a better customer experience.

Enhanced customer service

Automation can free up staff time, allowing them to focus on providing exceptional customer service. With automated systems handling routine tasks such as inventory management and order processing, staff can dedicate more time to value added services and interacting with customers. These activities can lead to a more personalized and satisfying customer experience.

Cost savings

Finally, automating your warehouse can result in cost savings that can be passed on to customers. Automation can reduce labor costs, increase efficiency, and minimize errors, leading to lower operational costs. These savings can be passed on to customers in the form of lower prices or free shipping, making your business more competitive and attractive to customers.

Our team a Storage Solutions knows that automating your warehouse can have a significant, positive impact on your customers. Faster delivery times, improved accuracy, increased inventory visibility, enhanced customer service, and cost savings are just a few of the benefits of warehouse automation. By investing in automation, businesses can improve the customer experience, increase customer loyalty, and ultimately, grow their bottom line.

If you’re ready to improve both your warehouse’s operations and your customer’s experience, click here!

Automation as a Business Continuity Need

Automation

The warehouse industry is one of the most critical sectors in any economy. Businesses in this sector are responsible for handling the movement, storage, and distribution of goods and products, making them a vital link in the supply chain. As such, any disruption in warehouse operations can have serious consequences, including lost revenue, missed deadlines, and unhappy customers. In today’s fast-paced business environment, where downtime is unacceptable, the warehouse operations leaders we talk to express the need to ensure business continuity, and automation is a great tool to achieve that.

Automation refers to the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention. In the warehouse industry, automation can take many forms, from robotic systems to conveyor belts, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), to warehouse management systems (WMS). Introducing automation to your operations, can ensure that your warehouse continues to function even when faced with unexpected events.

Here are some of the ways automation can be used as a business continuity need in the warehouse/operations industry:

Minimizes Labor Dependency

One of the most significant advantages of automation in the warehouse industry is that it reduces dependency on human labor. We hear from almost every customer we talk to that having enough labor to effectively run their operations today is a challenge automation ensures that your operation continues to function seamlessly, even with reduced human involvement.

Improves Efficiency and Speed

Automation can help improve the efficiency and speed of warehouse operations. Robotic systems, for instance, can pick and move products faster than humans, reducing the time it takes to move goods from one point to another. With solutions like conveyor belts and ASRS, you can ensure that products are routed to the appropriate places throughout the warehouse without human intervention. Even if you have fewer people working in your facility, you can still achieve or exceed the desired level of productivity with automation

Reduces Errors

Another benefit of automation in the warehouse industry is that it reduces the likelihood of human error. Automated systems are designed to perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy, reducing the risk of mistakes that can cost your business time and money. With a automation technology in place, you can ensure that products are accurately tracked, reducing the likelihood of lost or misplaced items.

Improves Safety

Automation can also improve safety in the warehouse. With many automaton solutions, you can reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. For instance, robots or AGVs can handle heavy items that may be too difficult or dangerous for humans to move. This helps to ensure the safety of warehouse workers and reduces the risk of costly workplace accidents.

Enables Remote Management

With automation, you can manage your warehouse operations remotely. This is particularly useful in situations where physical access to the warehouse may be restricted. With a WMS, for instance, you can monitor inventory levels, track shipments, and manage your workforce from anywhere with an internet connection. Even if you are unable to be physically present in the facility, you can still ensure that it operates smoothly.

Automation is a critical tool in ensuring business continuity in warehouse operations. The introduction of automation to your operations can minimize labor dependency, improve efficiency and speed, reduce errors, improve safety, and enable remote management. If you need to ensure that your warehouse can continue to function seamlessly, even in the face of unexpected events, automation is worth your consideration.

Are you ready to explore how the implementation of automation solutions in your warehouse can positively impact your business? Click here!

How to Integrate Automation Using the Crawl-Walk-Run Methodology

Automation

Crawl-Walk-Run Methodology

The crawl-walk-run approach is a popular methodology for breaking down complex tasks and projects, such as integrating a new automation solution, into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach is especially useful for projects that require a significant amount of time, resources, and planning to complete. By dividing the project into smaller, more achievable stages, teams can build up their skills and knowledge, gain confidence, and adjust as they progress towards the final goal.

Warehouse automation is one area where the crawl-walk-run approach can be particularly useful. With the rise of e-commerce and the increasing demand for faster, more efficient order fulfillment, warehouse automation has become a key priority for many businesses. However, finding the best automation solution and implementing full-scale automation in a warehouse can be a daunting task, with a multitude of possibilities and potential obstacles to overcome. Storage Solutions believes that the crawl-walk-run approach can help businesses to break down the automation integration process into smaller, more manageable stages.

Crawl Stage

In the crawl stage, the focus is on building a foundation and finding the available options, ranging from manual options to semi-automated solutions to very advanced automation solutions. This may involve implementing basic automation technologies such as conveyor systems or automated tapers. There is also the option to introduce some technologies in a “beta” format to help see how it functions operationally within the facility. These technologies can help increase warehouse productivity and efficiency while reducing the risk of human error and injury. In this stage, the focus is on developing a solid understanding of the existing warehouse operations, identifying areas where automation can have the most significant operational impact, and offering multiple automation roadmaps that include associated costs and estimated ROI.

Walk Stage

In the walk stage, the focus is on expanding the automation system to cover more aspects of the warehouse operations. This may involve implementing more advanced automation technologies, such as robotics or automated picking and packing systems. It may also involve integrating different automation technologies and systems to create a more cohesive, streamlined system. In this stage, the focus is on building upon the foundation created in the crawl stage and creating a more comprehensive automation solution.

Run Stage

In the run stage, the focus is on optimizing and fine-tuning the automation system by building upon what has been achieved in the previous two stages. This may involve implementing machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to optimize warehouse operations, such as predicting demand and optimizing inventory levels. In this stage, the focus is on achieving the full potential of the automation system and ensuring that it is delivering maximum value to the business.

In conclusion, the crawl-walk-run approach is a structured approach to presenting and implementing complex automation projects that can help businesses to break down the automation process into smaller, more manageable stages. This approach also allows you to see potential automation roadmaps that support the future adoption of additional automation technologies into your operation. By starting with basic automation technologies and gradually building up to more advanced systems, businesses can gain confidence and expertise in warehouse automation while also realizing the benefits of increased productivity, efficiency, and cost savings.

If you want to learn more about how our automation engineering team can help you implement new technologies in your operations, click here!

Our Automation Team Expands So You Can Reduce Walking in Fulfillment

Automation

Despite being known historically as expert storage integrators, Storage Solutions has a growing, dedicated team of professionals that all share a particular skill: they excel at eliminating costly walking and forklift travel in the fulfillment process.

The Storage Solutions Automation team has dramatically expanded in talent and experience over the past few years. With our strategic acquisitions of EMIT, Inc., and SNC Solutions, along with key additions in automation lifecycle services, e-commerce fulfillment specialists, and material flow design, we can now boast end-to-end in-house, turnkey capabilities.

While these additions may be new to SSI, each brings years – if not decades – of operational and engineering experience that form the foundation of every design and automation solution we provide our clients.

Operational experience means our salespeople have been on “the other side of the table” and know first-hand how theoretical solutions differ from practical solutions. Our engineers understand how detrimental improper integration can be to day-to-day operations within a facility.

Operational experience also means knowing that when a system is installed improperly, without adequate training and oversight, end-users will find a workaround. When workarounds are adopted or parts of the system aren’t properly utilized, it defeats the purpose of implementing a system.

If that shortcoming sounds familiar, it’s because it is a shared experience held by most of our team at previous places of employment when they were in our client’s shoes. And, because of the downsides of having that experience, we do everything we can to ensure it doesn’t happen to our clients.

This design, mechanical, and industrial engineering team also possesses decades of operational consulting experience in greenfield sites and retrofitting existing facilities. With such an array of experiences, we know first-hand the challenges operations managers face in virtually every environment. Challenges, including increased fulfillment expectations, rising costs, and a heavy dependence on labor, can all be dramatically reduced by introducing automated solutions.

“At our core, we believe that walking and forklift travel are the most detrimental activities in a warehouse,” explained Jason Blackney, Vice President of Automation Sales and Engineering. “We look for scalable solutions that reduce reliance on labor and optimize storage. Walking and forklift travel do none of those.”

How Do We Reduce / Eliminate Walking in a Warehouse?

Robotics: Did you know there are robotic solutions that offer pick rates of over 400 units per hour? Through partnerships with inVia Robotics and HAI Robotics we can introduce robotic solutions that are flexible and adaptable to changing business needs.

Conveyor: Conveyor systems, when integrated with sortation tools, can add a dynamic solution for logistics facilities challenged by SKU proliferation, increasing demand for products, and rising expectations on order times. We have expertise in design, installation, retrofitting, relocation, and software/control integration while minimizing downtime. We work with some of the world’s leading conveyance providers, including Hytrol, Daifuku Wynright, Optimus, Omni Metalcraft, and MHS Conveyor.

Goods-to-Person: Goods-to-person picking solutions can offer unmatched throughput compared to manually picking orders. We can configure a scalable solution to move your business forward using tools like vertical lift machines, mini-load AS/RS, HAI Robotics, or OPEX PerfectPick, each offering unique benefits to fulfillment.

Software: Our Warehouse Execution System (WES) software can optimize travel paths for robotics and people alike. Our in-house developed Warehouse Control System (WCS) software can direct cartons or totes to specific destinations, enable print and apply labeling or accommodate weighing & cubing items while they are in motion on a conveyor. Either way, we direct labor to where the work is to maximize throughput and efficiency. WES and WCS can provide managers with real-time operator feedback for optimal productivity.

How Does Storage Solutions Reduce / Eliminate Forklift Travel?

Semi-automated Pallet Shuttle: Semi-automated pallet shuttles utilize an automated cart (or shuttle) operated by an associate to pick a full pallet and transfer it to its next position within a deep lane storage system. These systems are fast and user-friendly, with low maintenance. They can maximize storage density while reducing labor and the need for expensive powered equipment. We have partnerships with Automha and Stow, two of the leading developers in this space.

Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): For companies who genuinely want to invest in optimizing and automating their fulfillment efforts, we partner with Daifuku Wynright, Automha and Stow in providing AS/RS solutions for fulfillment centers in North America. These 100 ft+ tall, rack-supported storage options completely automate the storage and retrieval process and are even suitable in temperature-controlled storage settings.

Autonomous Powered Equipment: Autonomous powered equipment offers several benefits when transferring heavy loads. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and pallet-handling Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are low-cost, flexible solutions that increase fulfillment rates, eliminate rack damage, improve operational safety and eliminate labor from the product transfer process. With different environments in mind, Jungheinrich and Rocla each offer solutions to deliver an ROI.

What is Storage Solutions’ Approach to Automation Integration?

Collect -> Analyze -> Recommend -> Execute -> Support

With our proprietary CARES Project Process, our automation team takes a data-driven approach to address our client’s business goals. We’ll first evaluate the layout of a facility, its current material flow, and storage types. From there, we explore available solutions to ultimately develop a set of options for our clients along with a roadmap to success. Our unique partner relationships allow our team to be agnostic in proposing the best solutions based on what our client is comfortable adopting.

For example, some clients may be comfortable with up-front investments in infrastructure-heavy solutions like AS/RS or conveyors. Some may need to gradually shift their picking processes to facilitate e-commerce, where a goods-to-person solution would be appropriate. Others may want to reduce labor dependency, so we introduce autonomous mobile robots. Often, our proposals involve a combination of design, automation, and storage to facilitate the best solution.

We help guide our clients through what each option looks like as an expenditure, how each option varies in storage and throughput capacity, and how the options compare in meeting their business goals. We then establish a timeframe that minimizes downtime but still gets the job done within our client’s timing expectations.

“I don’t think of myself as a salesperson at all. I think like a partner to our clients,” explained Jason Blackney, Vice President of Automation Sales & Engineering. “From an operational perspective, I’ve seen first-hand how bad things can get when a promised solution doesn’t pan out. I really, truly never want to see that type of situation happen again.”

Our turnkey project management team also provides thorough updates through the installation process while handling all logistical challenges that arise during a project, from vendor management to equipment procurement. Because of our size and scope, we can creatively avoid many challenges before they even take effect. We act as a true partner for our clients because we understand what can occur after the “switch is flipped” on a project.

Let’s Get Started

Are you ready to eliminate walking and travel from within your facility?

Our data-driven, agnostic approach to identifying & implementing the right solution to meet your business challenges starts with a phone call. Give us a call today!

What Do You Need to Start an EASY Automation Appraisal?

Automation

As e-commerce represents an ever-increasing percentage of orders within distribution and fulfillment centers, warehouse managers evaluate automation solutions to combat the increased operational costs associated with e-commerce orders. In a warehouse or fulfillment center designed for traditional pallet storage and picking, those orders being fulfilled through each or case picking can add up and get expensive.

Currently, many of the operations we have worked with have responded to the additional e-commerce orders by “throwing labor” at this issue. What happens during peak seasons? Do you throw even more labor at it? What about if there are changes in ordering patterns? Do you hire and train temporary workers? That is where automation can come in and deliver solutions for these challenges.

However, deciding the appropriate level of automation for your current operations can be challenging. It can be even more challenging to determine your proper level in 3 to 5 years. Do you integrate more now and deal with the cost today or slowly build a system and integrate it into your operations?

We created our EASY Automation Appraisals, where our team can take a data-driven, engineered solutions approach to determine the best plan of action for your facility. After all, each operation is different, and we want to connect you with the appropriate set of solutions, never to oversell or stick you with a system that you cannot fully optimize.

So, if you are at that stage where costs are rising due to an increase in each or case picking compared to your rate of pallet picking, your operation may be an ideal candidate for an EASY Appraisal. But what all is needed to conduct one within your facility?

Order Line Data – The most critical data for us.
Inventory On Hand – Historical data showing what all are you storing & how much of each item?
AutoCAD Layout of the Facility – We want to know where everything is at, as it stands today.
SKU Item Master List – We want to know what size your products are, how big their cases are, and what size pallets or cases are currently being stored?
Labor Rates & Outlay – How much are you trying to process, and how much does it cost to do it?
Outbound Shipping Requirements – Do you need poly bags? Does your packaging require dunnage?

Not all that information is technically needed – we have enough experience to work around virtually any roadblock – but having all that information will give us a clear understanding of what to look for in your operations. From there, our engineering team can tour your facility and see your processes in action ourselves. You can learn more about our EASY Appraisals here.

Are You Ready for an EASY Automation Appraisal?

The changes associated with fulfilling e-commerce orders are going to affect the structure of your business. It is a question of “when,” not “if.” If you are unsure how to adapt to those changes or adopt best practices with these systems, that is where we come in. These appraisals are designed to fit your needs now with a growth plan. We also offer a business case for how these additions can deliver an ROI within a few months or years.

Give us a call today to share more about the specific challenges you see in your operations and allow our team to develop custom-engineered solutions that can help you combat those rising labor costs while increasing throughput and order accuracy.

Contact us today to schedule your EASY Automation Appraisal!

Unlock the Full Potential of Your Facility with an EASY Appraisal

Automation

As fulfillment centers battle against labor challenges, increasing costs, and quicker fulfillment expectations, many explore the world of warehouse automation to lower expenses while meeting changing demand.

The problem is: where does one begin when it comes to evaluating how these tools can positively impact your operation? How does one determine which of the multitude of solutions that are available today is the right fit to meet their specific needs?

With our EASY Appraisal, our team can work with you hand-in-hand to ensure the correct measures are being taken to help you achieve your goals.

Our EASY Appraisal is a simple process where our experts tour your facility and get to understand your unique operations. There, we can determine where your pain points exist, how your workflow takes place, and formulate a plan of action. Our ultimate goal is to create a business case that will deliver an ROI and set you on a path for growth.

We consider four variables into our process:

Engineering Theory: Our data driven approach to evaluating your storage and fulfillment needs.

Automation Hardware: The most appropriate systems designed for your needs, without overselling or overequipping.

Software Integration: Setting you up with the correct tools to manage these systems

Your Needs: We customize all our solutions to meet your requirements, meaning you will not get an out-of-the-box plan. We recognize each business has its own unique needs and challenges.

At an introductory level, we can deploy these solutions within hours, without the need for facility reconfiguration, IT systems, or WMS integrations. If your organization is interested in more significant automation levels, we can work with your organization to determine what is needed to meet operational challenges that can be resolved through automation.

Using our “Simple, Smart, Strategic” approach, we can work with facilities of all types to integrate automation solutions at any scale. Starting small, we design these systems to be flexible and scale as needs change.

Ready to get started?

Want to learn more? Our Solutions Engineering professionals are ready to answer any questions you may have about introducing automation into your facility. We have the expertise to deliver solutions, big or small, that can provide a return-on-investment more quickly than you may realize.

SSI to Present at 2020 Automation Solutions Virtual Learning Event

News & Press Releases

We are excited to share that Storage Solutions has been allowed to present two sessions of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA)’s 2020 Virtual Learning Event!

Our Executive Vice President, Sales & Business Strategy, Eric McDonald, will introduce opportunities for companies looking to start with automation on Tuesday, October 13th, with “Getting Started on the Path to Selling Automation.” Eric has years of expertise in the supply chain industry and leads our sales teams that consult and develop automation and technology solutions for our customers.

This first session aims to share lower-level automation solutions options, the applications, and benefits of each, as well as provide resources to find appropriate partners for these solutions, based on your organization’s needs. Register Now

Then, on Thursday, October 15th, McDonald will present “Technology Solutions Utilized in Conjunction with Automation.” This session will focus on technology solutions that are frequently integrated with automation solutions to address business challenges. Here, you will learn how to identify opportunities to introduce these solutions, along with the applications and benefits of each. We will also provide resources on potential partners who would be ideal fits to work with your organization. Register Now

We are proud to be presenting at this event and even more proud to be an expert in this growing field. MHEDA works hard to ensure their membership has access to learn from the best and brightest in their industry, and this Virtual Learning Event follows in line with that mission.

The full lineup of speakers includes:

October 13th: Getting Started on the Path to Automation – Eric McDonald, Storage Solutions
October 15th: Technology Solutions Utilized in Conjunction with Automation – Eric McDonald, Storage Solutions
October 22nd: Let’s Talk People! Staffing for Automation Solutions – Troy Carter, Daifuku Wynright and Tim Hoj, HOJ Innovations
October 27th: Determining the “Right” Level of Automation for Your Clients – James Emmitt, MH Engineered Solutions
November 5th: Voice of the Customer Automation Solutions Panel – Megan Smith, Symbia Logistics, Tim Siddiq, Merchandise Warehouse Co., and Matt McClure, United Facilities

These virtual events will be presented from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT, with recording available on-demand after the events. You can register for each event for $49 for MHEDA Members ($199 for non-MHEDA members), with bundle pricing available.

Click here for more info on this event!

Creative Picking Solutions to Smooth Your Process

Storage

Warehouse managers can take solace in knowing that they may not have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to evaluating their picking strategies. There are some simple-yet-creative picking solutions available that can improve productivity, increase order accuracy, and reduce labor costs associated with the fulfillment process.

Identifying these simple, smart, and strategic solutions become even more critical as more warehouses and distribution centers adjust their operations to meet the ever-changing dynamics of the world we live in. We often see warehouses operating under the mindset of “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, those working under that mindset may be overthinking – or underthinking – how to improve their operations. By finding the creative solutions that can deliver a near-immediate return-on-investment, managers can quickly and effectively improve the processes for their workers without breaking the bank.

Let us look at some of the simple, creative picking solutions that can smooth your processes:

Corrugated Bin Boxes

Corrugated boxes are like your typical, everyday cardboard boxes. However, they differ in that corrugated boxes are made up of three cardboard layers that make the boxes more durable, cost-effective, and offer a higher strength-to-weight ratio. They are created to be more heavy-duty than the boxes that may come to your home from an e-commerce giant like Amazon.

Because of their construction and heavy-duty nature, they are stackable, creating a better storage density for the picking items.

Corrugated Plastic Bin Boxes

Corrugated plastic bins offer pickers a lightweight but durable receptacle that is attractive, stable, and cost-effective. The layered design is similar to corrugated boxes and similarly provides a higher durability level than traditional boxes and bins. Corrugated plastic also does not absorb moisture and is dust-free, making it an ideal option when cleanliness is essential for a pick process.

High-Density Modular Storage

By incorporating high-density storage shelving, like UNEX’s Speedcell solution, workers can maximize their space, pick orders faster, and increase their order accuracy. These high-density storage options consolidate your picking area by dramatically increasing pick faces, bringing a higher SKU density, allowing for less travel and less time searching for the appropriate location.

Goods-To-Man Automation Solutions

The prospect of introducing automation seems like too large of an investment, but products like OPEX’s Perfect Pick® system offer a scalable goods-to-person picking solution that increases the pick process’s rate and efficiency. This, and similar systems, provide a low-risk entry to automation because you are introducing automation aisle-by-aisle to learn early if this investment is right for your operations. There are other options, like the Exotec system from our partners at Conveyco, that can bring a simple automation level to your picking process. These automated systems bring a high degree of sophistication to your operations and can be game-changers in the right situation.

Learn More, Start Today

We are here to help your warehouse incorporate solutions – big or small – to support your operations and keep your facility running optimally. You can introduce manual solutions that have a lower cost to entry and are easier to implement, or you could add more automation that brings with it a higher price and requires more training but brings a higher level of efficiency. Ultimately, the key is to find the right solution for where your operations are at.

If you are interested in these simple, creative picking solutions, or you like the idea of improving your warehouse’s operational efficiency, give us a call, and our team of experts can speak with you and identify solutions to improve the speed, safety, and accuracy of your operations.