{"id":11923,"date":"2021-04-23T17:58:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T09:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextsmartship.com\/2021\/04\/23\/fulfillment-center-automation\/"},"modified":"2025-01-10T15:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T07:17:11","slug":"fulfillment-center-automation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextsmartship.com\/blog\/fulfillment-center-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"How Fulfillment Center Automation Boosts eCommerce Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The global COVID-19 pandemic accelerated people\u2019s shift to eCommerce. Digital Commerce 360 states that online weekly shopping grew from 36% to 28%<\/a>. What\u2019s more, 75% of people<\/a> prefer digital shopping options due to safety, speed, and convenience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Logistics remains the differentiating factor in eCommerce businesses competing within the same industry. It is in warehousing and shipping where businesses stand out. The eCommerce surge has led to the realization that fulfillment centers cannot rely on human manpower alone to cater to this growing demand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u00a0As a result, many companies have turned to automate their order fulfillment functions using AGV robots. This ensures order accuracy, faster shipping as well as turnaround times. So, what are these machines, and how will they impact fulfillment center automation?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What are AGVs?<\/h2>\r\n

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Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are customizable robots that can move items autonomously in manufacturing or fulfillment centers. When they first came out, AGVs worked by following wires or marked lines on the floor. Some models used magnets, radiowaves, or lasers to shift shipping containers or move pallets. Advancements have led to AGVs becoming more reprogrammable, eliminating the need for using magnetic strips and reflectors to control their path. The AGV industry is set to become a $2.74 billion market <\/a>by 2023. Some may see these machines as a threat to the human workforce but AGVs can be used to reduce redundant tasks for workers allowing them to be reassigned to areas where they will be able to add value to your brand. Furthermore, AGVs help to avert the need to put human workers at risk by ensuring that social distancing is maintained in risky areas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Types of Automation in a Fulfillment Center<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Fulfillment center automation improves the fulfillment process by eliminating mundane tasks such as picking, packing, receiving, and documenting. This also ensures that the human workforce is protected from places that are prone to injuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Below are the types of automation you can expect in a fulfillment center.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Goods-to-Person<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Goods-to-person (GTP) helps increase fulfillment efficiency by using vertical lift systems, carousels, and conveyors to reduce congestion. This doubles the speed of warehouse picking.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS\/RS)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

AS\/RS systems include automated equipment such as mini-loaders and tote shuttles that ensure a seamless storing and retrieving process for products.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

AGVs<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

\"AGV<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As we mentioned earlier, AGVs are automated vehicles that can load and unload pallets, boxes, and shipping containers in a fulfillment center without a human operator<\/a>. AGVs not only ensure safety at the fulfillment center but also offer improved item tracking and inventory control systems.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Pick-to-light systems<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

These systems use mobile barcode scanning synced to LED displays to direct warehouse pickers where to pick selected items and the correct storage location. They come in handy when dealing with high-volume orders by reducing time spent by a worker to walk across shelves searching for an item.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Voice tasking<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

These systems use speech recognition and mobile headsets to direct warehouse procedures. It is used to facilitate the process of picking and putting away products. This eliminates having to use handheld devices like RF scanners.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

AMRs tend to be more flexible than AGVs as they use GPS systems to create routes across the fulfillment center. They utilize advanced laser guides to detect obstacles on their path to navigate dynamic environments that consist of human traffic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Automated sortation systems<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sortation involves identifying products on a conveyor system and directing them to your preferred warehouse location. This is done using sensors and barcode scanners. Automated sortation systems are used for the process of picking, receiving, packing, and shipping.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inventory automation<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Inventory management systems provide storage locations, product information, and real-time visibility of stock levels. This helps to maximize scalability and decrease human error. Other ways inventory automation ensure business operations run smoothly include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n