MANAGING INVENTORY
WITH AN AS/RS
Managing Inventory
with an automated storage/
retrieval system
T
o remain competitive and prepare for the future, warehouse
operators today are focused on maximizing efficiencies and
minimizing expenses by optimizing warehouse space, re-
ducing labor costs and increasing order accuracy. In order to reap
these benefits, operators should to turn to warehouse automation
technology.
By integrating a high-density automated storage/ retrieval system
(AS/RS) with a warehouse execution system (WES), manufactur-
ers can better manage their inventory to obtain accurate, real-time
information on products moving throughout the warehouse to
increase efficiency and decrease the time to market for its brands.
The WES includes a tightly integrated warehouse management
system (WMS) and warehouse control system (WCS) to help
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The Satellite Review
manufacturers and distributors direct, control and optimize mate-
rial flow and order fulfillment. This two-in-one solution performs
the tasks of both systems within a single solution. Its modular
design enables companies to use only the functions needed to
handle their immediate warehousing needs—ranging from full
traceability of inventory to fully automating the warehouse with
an AS/RS.
Although many operators are already adopting warehouse
automation solutions, some are still hesitant. Many companies
presume that automation is too expensive or too large for their
operations; therefore, they put off the investment of automation
as a way to achieve their short term goals and focus on a “quick
fix” instead of a long-term solution. Regardless of the misconcep-
tions of automated technology, investing in an AS/RS is essential
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