Warehouse management is one of the essential functions in any logistics or distribution company. However, poor management of it can lead to an uncompetitive service, errors in order delivery or poor logistics and inventory management.
To prevent these problems from occurring, it is important to implement solutions that contribute to process automation.
When is the time to automate activities in the warehouse?
The decision to automate the warehouse should be based on financial considerations and aspects of saving time and personnel.
Installation of equipment and software required for automation is recommended when:
- It is estimated that the return on investment can be achieved in less than four years.
- It seeks to optimize the process to reduce costs.
- The movement and volume of merchandise is high.
- A wide variety of products are managed.
- It is necessary to maximize the use of space with vertical solutions.
- Orders are prepared or loads that require classifying and ordering the products are consolidated.
The main benefits of having an automated warehouse
1. Take inventory in a short time
An automated warehouse will facilitate the location of units, batches and pallets through RFID technology, which will allow you to have greater control of traceability.
The use of warehouse robots allows inventory to be taken in a matter of minutes, without the human factor having to intervene.
2. Process optimization
Each warehouse may have different processes. There are companies that work with very little stock and there are many warehouse movements.
If the delivery and reception processes of the items are standardized, it will be possible to maintain control of the stock and optimize the time
3. Efficiency improvement
When warehouse processes are automated, efficiency is improved at all stages of the supply chain.
Operators are more productive, orders can be delivered earlier, losses or difficulties in locating units in large storage plants are avoided, and all warehouse control metrics are improved.
4. Reduction of errors in warehouse management
The implementation of warehouse automation solutions will help you avoid common errors in warehouses, such as a lack of traceability, picking failures, delays in the delivery of merchandise or a poor organization of the same in the warehouse.
5. Greater competitiveness
When execution times are optimized and failures in storage processes are eliminated, companies in the industrial sector and distributors can provide better customer service and costs are reduced.
Implementing automated warehouse solutions will help the strategic development of your company, send a greater number of orders, reducing costs and achieving greater customer satisfaction.
6. Relief of workers and reduction of accidents at work
With automatic merchandise transports, operators will avoid having to do tedious tasks and transport heavy loads since the machines are now in charge. These advantages are noticeable even in the short term, because employees will end the workday with less physical and mental stress.
7. Long-term cost savings thanks to process automation
Automatic machines require a greater investment than buying manual ones, but in the long term, saving time and money will make the investment more than profitable.