Distribution at a Pivot Point: Select the Right Automation for Your Business

Pilot Applications for Success

Pilot programs are a good way to make sure your investment will meet your specific business goals. Today, we’re seeing automation work well in several applications:

• Transportation bots: Transportation bots within existing facilities allow organizations to move objects from point A to B in the distribution center, reducing wasted travel and potential congestion of human workers without disrupting the existing infrastructure at the DCs. Transportation bots can follow self-guided systems to move around existing infrastructure or potential blockages and eliminate the need to invest in new conveyor lines and other infrastructure changes.
• Replenishment bots: Today, we’re seeing replenishment bots work together with people to reduce the large travel time component for replenishment activities. These bots wait at a pick location for a human picker to intersect with it in the course of a pick path and execute the replenishment task before moving on with picking activity. Combining replenishment with picking activities improves the blended productivity of both processes, which reduces operational expenses.
• Goods-to-Person (GTP) Systems: GTP solutions typically require less floor space, and their compact design can help reduce the amount of labor required. The reduction in travel, ergonomics and ease of use often improves productivity and accuracy while enabling DC managers to tap into non-traditional labor pools with limited training.
• Voice and Light Picking: Voice and light picking solutions increase pick productivity, improve accuracy, and optimize batch and cluster picking for reduced order cycle times.

The business case is stronger than ever for technology solutions that enable increased throughput, capacity, accuracy, and productivity, as well as safer environments for workers. However, intelligent software is what unlocks the real value of automation. Sophisticated algorithms found in warehouse execution software (WES) can prioritize orders in real time, enable smart processing of orders for reduced travel and increased productivity and routing of workers to reduce congestion.

Vetting Technology Suppliers

Your technology supplier is almost as important as the technology itself. Companies that deliver an end-to-end solution, rather than a single piece of technology, can offer solutions that withstand today’s fast pace of innovation. When considering companies to assist with your automation solutions, look for someone that:

• Emphasizes upfront engagement around the design process. When implementing automation, you’re not designing a material handling solution, but a DC or supply chain capability. Look for a company that looks beyond machines rates and aligns with you on business goals and results.
• Takes a partnership approach. You can rely on a technology supplier that takes accountability for your results to craft a successful strategy for your specific business needs
• Is not limited by one manufacturer or technology. Companies that can work with a range of applications and manufacturers have the freedom to offer you best of breed solutions.

The FORTNA Solution

FORTNA is a partner invested in your business’ success. We will work with you to assess operations, design, test and implement a solution. We research, evaluate and pilot emerging technologies to ensure they will serve our customers today and in the years to come. At FORTNA, we provide end-to-end solutions, including design and implementation of the processes, systems and equipment required to support the overall solution.