As a result of continued automation, robots and robotic systems have acquired prominence in warehouse management, supply chain as well as logistics and distribution centers. With warehouse automation, now-a-days, a warehouse robot plays a crucial role in warehouse management
Warehouse robots are meant to perform number of tasks and help streamline warehouse functioning and processes like moving, placing and replenishing materials. The warehouse robotic system consists of automated system and specially programmed software transport materials along with warehouse robots.
Functions of warehouse robots
A warehouse robot has almost become an in dispensible feature of every warehouse and is proving its utility as a great helping partner in streamlining third party logistics as well as E-commerce fulfillment and help improving the efficiency of warehouse operations.
In warehouse management, robots can manage various challenging tasks to:
- Loading and unloading
- Palletizing and de-palletizing
- Picking
- Sorting
- Packaging
- Storage
- Delivery
- Transportation
- Replenishment
Advantages of warehouse robots
In warehouses operations, robots help reduce human work load by automating the repetitive menial or un-skilled tasks. These warehouse robots accomplish the repetitive jobs with greater efficiency and at a greater speed thus allow human workers to focus on other more complicated tasks.
Repetitive jobs are generally monotonous and found boring and tiring over a period of time by the workers whereas robots perform all repetitive tasks with ease. They perform at a greater speed and thus save time and energy while increasing productivity.
Increase in productivity shows positive effects on ROI and hence not only deliver but add significant value to warehouse operations.
In addition, warehouse robots:
- Boost productivity
- Produce an error- free performance
- Speed up order fulfillment
- Reduce overhead and operation running costs
- Facilitate better inventory management
In addition, warehouse robots help creating:
- More engaging work environment
- Increase safety for human workers and warehouse
Utility of warehouse robot in third party logistics and E-commerce fulfillment
Not limiting use in warehouse operations, warehouse robots have reach to a stage where they are proving boon for third party logistics providers.
With development of technology, warehouse robots are now being used for more complex and complicated tasks and as a result robots are increasingly being used in every sphere of third party logistics by the providers
The improvement in robotic technology will provide impetus and competitive edge to the third party logistics by:
- Removing operational problems
- Eliminating manual processes
- Mitigating errors
- Improving customer service
- Widening profit margins
Automation and robotics technologies are all set to remove manual tasks, reduce dependence on human workers which tend be slow and highly prone to committing human errors.
Since, E-commerce has ushered sweeping changes in pattern due to online buying by customers across the world, more and more companies engaged in online business, retail and logistics are adopting warehouse robotic technologies.
Increase in productivity, performance and ability to streamline E-commerce fulfillment faster provides a competitive advantage over competitors as well as a quantum jump in revenue generation.
