Traditional warehouses are known by everyone; however, the modern warehousing system is a unique combination of highly innovative automation technologies, thus being a core part of the supply chain. It involves activities such as cross-docking, kitting, palletizing, tagging, identifying products, and storing them in timely and space-efficient manner. In simple words, an automated or automatic warehouse refers to the warehouse whereby a significant portion of the receipt, storage as well as dispatch of activities are implemented without manual handling of goods. Automated warehousing is based on AS/RS (Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems), automatic robotic systems for item storage and retrieval in a facility. Solutions are also customized as per the industry requirements, such as production storage, cold/deep freeze storage, WIP warehouse, distribution centers, etc. For instance, cranes as good example of AS/RS machines, and racking system.
These days, the design of modern warehouse system proffers infinite innovative options. Factors, such as product type, diversity, number of articles, performance needs and other organizational requirements. Modern technologies are quite affordable offering good logistics solutions as well as attractive ROI to small business organizations as well.
AS/RS can support various forms of loads, combining systems, such as pallet warehouse, mini load systems, carousel and vertical systems, and special load systems. On the other hand, racking system can be designed either as a standalone shelving system, or part of a rack-supported building. The heights could vary between 8 meters and 45 meters, and can be designed combining the characteristics of single deep storage systems, double deep storage systems, multi-deep storage systems and gravity (flow rack) storage system.
Features of Automated Warehouses
- Two face to face metal rack rows, with a narrow aisle in between metal racks
- At the centre of the narrow aisle, lies a raised metal rail
- A tall pole passes through the narrow aisle
- At the bottom of the pole, a carriage travels in an upward or downward position toward the same level of the point of location
- Atop the carriage is built a load-handling mechanism that reaches into the load to recover it
Benefits of Automated Warehouses:
- Enhances product control
- Lessens and maintains records inventory accurately
- Enhances labour productivity
- Avoids excessive product handling
- Enhance existing floor space’s productive capacity
- Lessen product damage through multiple handling, location errors and shrinkage
- Transparent system
- Makes use of less energy comparatively
- Requires less maintenance
- Fosters response time to customer demands
