Background research
“An automated warehouse is a facility where all or some of the tasks related to storing, retrieving, and moving inventory are carried out by automated systems.” www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-automated-warehouse.html
Through
Automation, costs of warehousing are reduced though setup costs are high. In
Automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), robots are able to place inventory in
the most suitable locations according to availability and then locate and recover
them far more efficiently than humans. The
ASRS creates a safer; more secure and cost effective storage system.
However, automated warehouses are very expensive to establish. The entire floor plan must be configured for the operations and movement of robots, conveyor belts and storage applications. The automation equipment is very expensive given the use of both computer and robotic technology and ongoing maintenance is a cost that must be factored in to implementation planning and processes. These are weighed up against the cost and efficiency of human labour and indeed the “on costs” of the human workforce (such as insurance, sick pay, long service leave, superannuation etc)
However, automated warehouses are very expensive to establish. The entire floor plan must be configured for the operations and movement of robots, conveyor belts and storage applications. The automation equipment is very expensive given the use of both computer and robotic technology and ongoing maintenance is a cost that must be factored in to implementation planning and processes. These are weighed up against the cost and efficiency of human labour and indeed the “on costs” of the human workforce (such as insurance, sick pay, long service leave, superannuation etc)
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Automatic warehouses have become increasing prevalent over the last 15 years as technological advances have created incredibly efficient massive warehouses that maximize the use of available land. By design, these warehouses maximize floor space by the use of vertical storage to previously unseen levels. The warehouses are designed to meet company needs given available space.
The warehouses are so efficient because computers speed up the locating of items to be retrieved from storage while the machinery recovers the items far quicker than humans. For example, the retrieval of heavy items from multiple level shelves that are only separated by the width of the machinery itself dramatically increases capacity while actually increasing the speed of retrieval.
Not all human jobs are lost as information must be loaded in to the system and the goods moved on from storage, however, the human work done is now much safer using the machines while the efficiency per unit of labour is greatly increased. Humans are still required as the inventory is continuously updated as objects move in, out, and around the warehouse.
A most significant advantage is the removal of human error in the warehouse operations. This includes not only the elimination of safety issues arising from human error but also most importantly the removal of operational errors. The inaccurate storage of inventory, the movement of incorrect products and the challenges of locating specific items are just some of the issues overcome through the use oh automated operations. Human error still exists with Data entry error for example but many other errors are minimized.
The warehouses are so efficient because computers speed up the locating of items to be retrieved from storage while the machinery recovers the items far quicker than humans. For example, the retrieval of heavy items from multiple level shelves that are only separated by the width of the machinery itself dramatically increases capacity while actually increasing the speed of retrieval.
Not all human jobs are lost as information must be loaded in to the system and the goods moved on from storage, however, the human work done is now much safer using the machines while the efficiency per unit of labour is greatly increased. Humans are still required as the inventory is continuously updated as objects move in, out, and around the warehouse.
A most significant advantage is the removal of human error in the warehouse operations. This includes not only the elimination of safety issues arising from human error but also most importantly the removal of operational errors. The inaccurate storage of inventory, the movement of incorrect products and the challenges of locating specific items are just some of the issues overcome through the use oh automated operations. Human error still exists with Data entry error for example but many other errors are minimized.