Warehouse automation has taken a huge step ahead in the face of COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic brought all industrial activity to a pause. As this began to start up again, companies found themselves dealing with an extremely different scenario. Such as social distancing, restricted mobility, increased demand for the essentials, e-commerce logistics, and more. Therefore, for solving these issues, companies are moving toward logistics automation solutions. Against this backdrop, the companies were forced to seek out solutions that would be helping them. For boosting the productivity of their facilities, shortening times, and optimizing resources.
Even before the pandemic started, automation established a basic tool used by businesses that wanted to improve their competitiveness. In this blog, we are examining how the incorporation of logistics automation solutions is helping companies to adapt to market changes and serve consumers without delay.
Since automation in logistics has always been a perfect duo. After all, when it is coming to applying automation, industries are heavily relying on repetitive tasks as the most perfect fit for machines. Even though the idea of automation in logistics isn’t something new. However, the pandemic has emphasized the urgency of its adoption as logistics were scrambling for keeping up with increasing demands. All while simultaneously dealing with labor shortages, transportation issues, and supply chain.
Nonetheless, the impact of COVID-19 is forcing several companies to reimagine their operations. Between increased orders, shipping delays, customer inquiries, government regulations, and remote workforces, logistics disruptions are becoming commonplace in the new normal.
How can business leaders restore stability? One powerful approach is logistics automation solutions.
A less-is-more approach
In a disaster like COVID-19, there are many outcomes well beyond business leaders’ control. Nevertheless, when it comes to logistics, leaders are impacting one significant part. That is the end-to-end order experience. By implementing logistics automation solutions, distributors and wholesale manufacturers are ensuring this section of the supply-chain process runs as effortlessly as possible.
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Our new normal is booming on an organization’s ability to do more with less. Regardless of the sector. For manufacturers and distributors, this is implying that creating more efficient, more effective operations. By modernizing the logistics process with the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and applied analytics, companies are cutting costs and maximizing workforce output. Complete automation is a lengthy process. As well as one that shouldn’t be tackled all at once. However, improving conventional operations with technology-driven processes will be helping organizations quickly reap the benefits of a less-is-more approach. Improving the logistics process with automation is a huge first step.
Also read: Key Benefits of Warehouse Automation in Logistics
Automation and coronavirus
As per Time Magazine, more companies are turning to automation as they were struggling to avoid workplace infections of COVID-19. As well as for keeping operating costs low.
For starters, facing ever-tighter profit margins, companies are relying on automation as an approach to eliminate costs. However, this is entailing a higher initial investment compared to conventional systems.
So, in a post-pandemic era in which the presence of employees in companies has been minimized, automated warehouses have guaranteed uninterrupted service. Automated handling equipment, like stacker cranes and conveyors, are continuing to operate even without workers and can handle items safely and efficiently.
The restrictive measures and lockdown in establishments triggered an increased demand for e-commerce. Food, retail, and pharmaceutical companies saw their online orders skyrocket. As a consequence, several firms are choosing to automate their e-commerce operations. Therefore, this is encouraging them to take on a larger number of orders. All while keeping their error rates low.
Which operations can you automate?
Warehouse automation not only helps in minimizing the physical presence of operators. Also, improving safety. Let’s take a look at which processes could be automated in a logistics center:
Goods receipt and dispatch
One of the most effective solutions is automatic truck loading and unloading systems, charged with streamlining product receipt and dispatch. These entail a transportation system made up of rollers and/or chains that insert and remove pallets from the trucks in an automated manner.
Product flows
Since product movements are requiring a lot of travel around the facility. Since many companies are decreasing the number of personnel present per shift during the pandemic. Pallet conveyor systems and conveyors for boxes are coming in handy. These substitute conventional handling equipment and operators, who can be assigned to other tasks. Subsequently, there’s decreased manual load handling and more safety in the installation.
Order preparation
Order processing are requiring the presence and constant movement of workers in the facility, locating the items they need. For cutting down on that travel and preventing various operators from running into each other in the same aisle, orders can be prepared as per the product-to-person method. Workers remain at their pick stations, waiting to receive the goods.
Management
The coronavirus pandemic is highlighting the need for prioritizing product traceability and monitoring warehouse operations. Installing a facility with a warehouse management system are helping companies for obtaining visibility of the status of their logistics process in real-time. This system will help in monitoring the goods until they’re sent to the customers.
Speeding towards a technological future
Coronavirus containment measures, the temporary cessation of non-essential activities, and market changes are forcing many companies to reassess their business strategies. Logistics automation is the answer to these difficulties. Moreover, it is gaining momentum since the arrival of the pandemic.
Also read: How did Foam Company Improve Warehouse Efficiency with RFID
Conclusion
Before implementing a project for automating your logistics, you’ll need the recommendation of a company with expertise in deploying these types of storage systems, such as Aeologic Technologies. We have several years of experience in the logistics industry of all kinds of companies with automated and conventional solutions catered to the requirements of each case.
Be sure to get in touch. We’ll analyze the operations in your facility to identify the best approach to raise your supply chain productivity.
FAQs
How automation is helping logistics?
The advantages of logistics automation are countless. From saving on labor, inventory, energy, and more. Additionally, logistics automation solutions is helping the process to operate faster, more precisely, and qualitatively. As well as more economically and more efficiently. It is mitigating errors and improving customer service.
What are the new trends in the logistics sector?
6 Major Logistics Trends influencing Logistics Management in 2022
- Supply chain agility.
- Automation Complexity.
- Demands for real-time data.
- Supply chain transparency for critical collaborations.
- Less Than Truckload Demand.
- Digitally Evolving Business.
