1. Storage and Warehousing Techniques
Warehouse Management, 3rd edition by Gwynne Richards
Published November 2017 (Kogan Page)
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

2. Warehouse Automation and Equipment
Section 6

3. Warehouse automation and technology
Support systems
Semi-automation
Automated systems
Warehouse Management systems
Carousels/Vertical lift modules
AS/RS (Automated storage and retrieval systems)
Warehouse Control Systems
A frames
Cranes
Shuttle systems
Bar codes and scanners
Pick and put to light
Conveyors
Radio frequency ID
Shuttle carts
Automated guided vehicles
Scanners and voice terminals
Robotics
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

4. Warehouse automation Case study – Tele Danmark site
Introduction of very narrow aisle mini-load crane system.
Consolidated stock from 3 distribution centres and 60 small local sites into a
Single warehouse of 7,200 square metres. This handling system supported
13,500 lines and an annual throughput of 7,000,000 items.
Other benefits included:-
Handling costs reduced by 75%
Order accuracy improved from 62% to 96%
Duplicate stock was almost eliminated
Flexibility improved – same day order despatches
Reduced labour costs
Warehouse of the month – Modern Materials Handling Online
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

5. Advantages of Automated systems
Increased Space Utilisation
High bay narrow aisle systems (up to 30 metres high)
Random storage
Improved Control
Pallet tracking through enhanced warehouse management system
Labour and Energy Savings
No heat and light requirement apart from maintenance
Minimum supervision required
Continuity
24 hour, 7 days per week operation
Product Security
High bay areas, Use of First in First out principles, less human intervention
Safety
Elimination of majority of manual handling
Reduction in accidents
Can cope with hazardous/harsh environments
Integration
Coordination of product flows, avoiding bottle necks
Constant performance levels
Continuous review
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

6. Disadvantages of Automated systems
High investment costs
Building, equipment, Information technology
System failure, operations are entirely reliant on technology
High opportunity cost
Require standardised unit loads
Anomalies not accepted and need to be handled separately
More quality control required at inbound
High cost of disposal of equipment
Lack of flexibility
Opportunity cost – what you give up by spending more in this area
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

7. Reasons for choosing Automation
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015
Aberdeen Group

8. Reasons against automating a warehouse
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015
Aberdeen Group

9. Automated guided vehicle
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

10. A Frame – automatic pick
Courtesy of Knapp and SSI Schaeffer
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

11. Other automation systems
Cimcorp 3D shuttle
No racks
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

12. More automation
Swisslog Autostore
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

13. Robo pick by Kiva 10,000 sq. metres - $4 - $6 million
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015

14. Automation in pallet storage
Proctor and Gamble – Activ pallet sequencer
by Retrotech
Copyright D.G. Richards 2015