IMPLEMENTING AUTOMATION
Implementing warehouse automation : what you need to know
M odern automation is replacing human effort instead of just supplementing it . One of the places that automation has been most effective in replacing human effort is within the logistics supply chain . Warehouse automation backed by Warehouse Management Systems ( WMS ) and other software has reached the point that it is replacing labor in ways not thought possible a decade ago .
Investing in warehouse automation can provide great financial pay offs . Automating warehouses and distribution centers can seem overwhelming and have significant upfront costs ; however , a flawed or rushed implementation quickly eats up a budget and can even potentially increase future costs instead of reducing them . Consider these questions when automating to help make your implementation as successful as possible .
Is your company ready for an automated system ?
Conduct an honest and open self-evaluation of your company ’ s technology readiness before making the investment . Look specifically at the application and technology platforms , your current IT team and any “ gaps ” that might lie between the two . In some cases , the gaps may be filled internally , but others may require help from a third-party expert .
Who will be in charge of implementation ?
Staffing plans tend to be a major stumbling block . In many cases , companies do not decide who will be responsible for the automation early enough and therefore wind up scrambling to get the right people hired or identified within the organization . This “ 11th-hour
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