AS/RS Attendant •
The AS/RS Attendant is the person
closely monitoring the execution
of warehouse missions. From
observing WES screens and clear-
ing conveyor or S/RM (storage
and retrieval machine) equipment
faults, to tucking stretch wrap tails,
restacking product from broken
pallets and jogging pallets that
have missed their target position,
this is the person that makes it all
happen. This role requires access to
various resources including general
labor, and mechanical and electri-
cal maintenance technicians when
needed. The attendant is often seen
on the warehouse floor, attending to
material and equipment, but also re-
quires desk space in the warehouse
for WES operation and administra-
tive work. •
This position is sometimes filled
by a resident staff member that is
from the automation company.
The advantage of having a resident
staff member is that they may have
a deeper understanding of the
system and may have special access
to information that is usually only
available to the automation compa-
ny. Many integrators have started
to prefer having this type of role
because of the technical experience
required.
Responsibilities:
• WES operation
• Mission handling and prioriti-
zation
• Interfacing with coordinator,
maintenance, and shipping and
receiving
• General fault review and recov-
ery
Skill sets:
• WES experience
• Results driven
Coordination and supervisory
skills
Some mechanical and basic
automation skills
Warehouse Support
This person is a helping hand for the
AS/RS Attendant. Some duties may
include prying dislodged pallets
back into position, restacking prod-
uct, and general help for the AS/RS
Attendant. They may also support
maintenance with tasks, such as
adjusting a sensor knocked out
of place, general lubrication, and
keeping the system tidy and free of
debris. You would typically find this
person in the warehouse and may
need a desk for certain administra-
tive duties
Responsibilities:
• General help with pallet/prod-
uct handling
• Housekeeping (debris, stretch
wrap, spilled product)
• Basic daily maintenance and
upkeep
Skill sets:
• Physical labor
• Some mechanical and basic
automation skills
Mechanical/Electrical
Maintenance
These are the technicians that keep
the system proactively in good
condition. The can do preventive
or predictive maintenance, in-
spect wear items, take corrective
action, and perform repairs and
adjustments. For the electrical side,
a person should have a focus on
electrical circuits, cabling and com-
ponents, sensors, actuators, remote
I/Os, and communication networks.
These roles are typically filled by
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your maintenance staff. These
people are typically only needed in
the warehouse and no specific desk
is required but may use a general
warehouse staff area for some ad-
ministrative duties.
Responsibilities:
• Mechanical maintenance
• Inspection, adjustment and
repair
• Fault recovery
Skill sets:
• Physical labor
• Strong mechanical and basic
automation skills
Material Handler
These are typically already in your
warehouse. They are the fork truck
drivers and case pickers that handle
the product and get it where it needs
to go. These people are typically
loading and unloading trucks, pick-
ing case loads from pick lanes or
pick positions, stacking pallets, and
replenishing pick positions. These
are the people who are carrying out
the missions needed to keep your
warehouse operating.
Responsibilities:
• Handling pallets and cases
• Stacking and unstacking pallets
Skill sets:
• Physical labor
• Fork truck operation
• Safety
Although each warehouse can be
vastly different, these roles and
job functions remain important to
keep your warehouse operating at
peak performance. These roles may
be combined or separated, but the
responsibilities and skill sets should
guide you to choose your people
wisely.
The Satellite Review
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