WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION

AutoStore robots use 0.1 kW of energy per hour, providing an energyefficient goods-to-person solution.

| Courtesy of Swisslog

AutoStore saves space and time with compact robots and vertically stacked bins organized on an aluminum grid.

| Courtesy of Swisslog different, strict requirements. Or they need to consider an adaptable and scalable solution that can adjust throughput seasonally or in response to market changes.

One solution is to set up one or more micro fulfillment centers to address varying demand and product requirements. Micro fulfillment centers are small, automated distribution centers located close to the consumer with limited inventory and throughput to serve a geographical area.

The big challenge with micro fulfillment centers is sizing. If they are too small, the return on investment may be disappointing. But if they are too big, there may be too much distance between the distribution center and the consumer. Warehouses need to find that sweet spot that balances size and distance. For instance, a superstore that sells many different goods constantly may need one large distribution center with different temperature zones to fulfill orders for 3-5 nearby stores. Other companies may find it practical to set up multiple micro fulfillment centers, each tailored for specific product requirements.

Micro fulfillment centers can also benefit online-only retailers. Companies that want to expand to a different geographical area can build a small center to serve online customers only with no investment in a physical store. Brick-and-mortar companies are already experimenting with this concept by diverting online orders to online-only micro fulfillment centers and dodging store fulfillment completely.

Design, data, and decisions

Systems such as Swisslog’s AutoStore take the guesswork out of warehouse automation. AutoStore is a standardized product with robots, specifically shaped plastic bins, and an aluminum grid on which the robots drive. Warehouses can select the size of the grid; how many