Technology is forever evolving and influencing business in all industries. Modern advancements have been particularly beneficial in warehousing, manufacturing, engineering distribution, and logistics. These technologies have offered industries and cooperations new opportunities regarding the ways their systems work and the delivery of consumer goods. These systems are constantly improving and have no sign of slowing down, especially within smart warehouses and inventory management.

What is a smart warehouse?

A smart warehouse is a building in which raw materials and manufactured products are stored, utilising machines and computers to carry out daily tasks. These operations include recognising and receiving orders, calculating products, storing goods and keeping track of product location. These warehouses typically automate the entire operation starting from the journey of goods from supplier to customer delivery. Smart warehouses are inspired by smart factories and have been equipped to improve productivity, efficiency, and accuracy of production. Some of the main benefits that a smart warehouse offers are.

• Improved accuracy
• Increased transparency
• Efficient
• Reduced cost
• Improves customer service

To keep it simple, a smart warehouse incorporates a variety of interconnected technologies, all working together to meet business goals and keep things running smoothly.

Smart warehouse trends for 2022

Automated systems reduce human error, lower the risk of injury, add accuracy and make for a productive, safe workplace. There are a number of benefits that these systems bring and a number of popular tools and products available. Here are just a few modern technologies used in today’s warehouses.

Automated Picking Tools

Today’s warehouses are benefitting from perfect picking rates and a quick in-house flow. There are a variety of different tools used to boost picking procedures and these technologies also make use of features such as barcodes that combine seamlessly with your management softwares.

Warehouse Management Systems

Warehouse Management Systems are software systems that manage all the important data into one platform, benefitting the supply chain and internal communication. This results in efficient planning, execution and reporting. A WMS has also been used alongside a range of other systems to perform alternative tasks.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

Although automated storage and retrieval systems have been around for years, they have undergone plenty of ungraded. These systems have often been expensive, bulky, and generally inflexible compared to today’s features which are slim and unnoticeable. Benefits include reduced labour costs, modular possibilities, and increased accuracy.

Automated Guided Vehicles

AGVs are an efficient tool for upgrading your storage and retrieval process and assist with tasks such as putaway, loading, and stocktake. AGVs are self-guided vehicles and can be fitted with forklifts and pallet carts. The vehicle will follow digital paths through the facility to load and unload pallets and boxes. These reduce the need for manual handling, reduce potential injury and offer a quick approach to storage.

Inventory Control Platforms

An inventory control platform introduces the use of asset and inventory tags, allowing you to automate stock counting, data records, accurate reporting and stock. This benefits both the business and the customer as it keeps everyone up to date with current inventory.

Collaborative Robots

These modern robots are qualified of working alongside human employees in multiple warehouse procedures. Fitted with computerised technology, these robots can handle complex tasks such as picking or installation.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT involves a number of Internet-enabled devices communicating with each other and sharing data throughout the warehouse. In smart warehouse systems, this enables robots to communicate with different softwares including a warehouse management system.

For example, when a warehouse receives a product, an RFID scanner will scan the tags, and notify the management system of how much stock has arrived. The WMS then communicates with robots which store the goods in the correct location. This method is automatic and seamless whilst keeping all crucial information along the way.

Author details

Simon Cullingworth, Managing Director, Metreel, https://metreel.co.uk/