to implement an AS/RS. This will help you determine the
configuration of the AS/RS and how to best use your real
estate whether that means retrofitting or expanding your
warehouse, or investing in new construction.
If real estate is limited, retrofitting your current space with
an AS/RS or growing the facility with a small expansion
while using vertical space is an excellent option. High-den-
sity automated storage can increase facility capacity by up
to 50 percent and can eliminate the need for a larger, new
facility.
Alternatively, if you have the space and the capital to build
a new, denser facility, compare the construction cost of
building a traditional warehouse to the cost of building an
automated warehouse. By implementing automation, the
facility size needed will typically be 30 to 50 percent small-
er than what would have been required with a traditional
warehouse.
In the end, your decision to build a new facility, expand or
retrofit your current warehouse comes down to the return
on investment (ROI). You just have to compare the capacity
and capability of an automated facility with a traditional
warehouse to realize specific savings.
Determining Benefits
In this step, be sure to consider potential operational cost
savings. For example, can you decrease time to get a prod-
uct out the door from 12 to eight hours with automation?
By saving manpower, reducing overtime and improving
productivity, you’ll uncover new cost savings with an
AS/RS. With automation, you should be able to achieve
the same amount of work in fewer hours.
By taking the time to evaluate your current operations, un-
derstand your data points and address the right questions,
you will end up with a solution that meets your business’
current and future needs. In addition, partnering with a
knowledgeable AS/RS provider will help you cover each of
these steps to ensure a successful project. In the end, you
will obtain a system that will provide immediate efficiencies
and continue to support your company as it grows.
www.WestfaliaUSA.com
The Satellite Review
21