The emergence of third-party logistics (3PL) and eCommerce industries has transformed the landscape of warehouses. These facilities have gone from simple storage spaces to fully operational facilities.
A typical warehouse, therefore, isn’t meant to serve only as a storage space. It also provides services like packaging, assembly, shipping, and pickup. This shift has created a need for more efficient operations that effectively meet the growing industry demands.
Warehouse owners are increasingly looking for ways to move heavy loads and handle materials more safely and cost-effectively. Heavy load handling experts at Hovair Systems want all warehouse owners to learn about a few automation trends that have disrupted the industry, followed by how each trend is likely to impact the future of warehouse operations.
The Rise of Automation in Warehouses
Over the years, automation has transformed the warehousing industry. It has become essential for warehouse operations as it leads to improved efficiency and reduces the need for manual labor.
Another benefit of automation is eliminating travel times from staging and picking areas, which results in increased picking productivity. Automated handling of heavy loads aids the sorting and transportation of goods from one point to another, significantly cutting down material handling costs.
Many automated systems reduce picking errors and increase storage capacity as well. When the need for manual product retrieval is removed, you can decrease the aisle width and make deeper storage lanes that easily accommodate more densities.
Database Efficiency
Management software has been around to meet the needs of warehouses for quite some time. But continuous development enables more capabilities for more efficient picking and data management.
These digital technologies help optimize repetitive tasks by directing putaway, packing, receiving, picking, and shipping processes. It reduces travel times to and from product locations and increases space utilization.
Data input and output are more accurate when integrated with scanning and accounting systems for seamless inventory control.
Technology Advancements
Technology is rising at an exponential rate within the warehousing sector. Drones and robotics are designed to tackle myriad processes and tasks to make them faster, safer, and more efficient. Automated software helps deliver items to and from picking stations, reducing the footprint of order fulfillment.
Develop a Plan to Stay Up-to-Date
Automation trends will continue to develop to offer more benefits for the operational efficiency of warehouses. However, automation isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Schedule a consultation with experts at Hovair Systems to select automation and material handling equipment based on your operation needs and budget.
Our experts will evaluate your facility’s goals, inventory, and order fulfillment processes. They will also guide you about the maintenance requirements and costs beforehand to prevent any hiccups while you take the step to optimize efficiency.
We’re known for our cutting-edge range of automated equipment for handling heavy loads. These include lifting & rigging equipment, air bearings, air casters, air beams, air compressor tools, automobile turntables, commercial turntables, and many more pneumatic solutions to boost productivity and improve ergonomics.
Give us a call to learn how upgrading to the right material handling equipment can help enhance safety and efficiency at the workplace.