The latest innovations in big box warehousing technology
We take a look at some of the innovative technologies that are impacting the operations of “big box” warehouse operators and changing the way these facilities are designed, specified and run. These are the latest innovations in big box warehousing technology.
Big box warehousing refers to large-scale storage facilities designed to handle high volumes of goods efficiently. These massive warehouses often use the latest technology to ensure maximum efficiency when operating at scale.
Here are some of the latest innovations in big box warehousing technology.
Warehouse automation
Advanced automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) are transforming warehouse picking and packing operations. Typically, they involve innovative, cube-based systems that leverage intelligent robots which effortlessly glide across an aluminium grid, storing and retrieving bins from a densely packed storage area. This type of solution is already in use, notably in some operations of the online supermarket Ocado.
The grid design and use of robotic pickers serve to maximise vertical space utilisation and eliminate the need for aisles. As such, warehouse operators can reduce the overall footprint of the warehouse space required whilst boosting efficiency and throughput.
Sustainability
The current high costs of energy combine with consumer pressure to make sustainability an increasingly important commercial consideration for big box warehouse operators. In addition, regulatory and supply-chain demands to fully understand and be able to report on the carbon footprint of entire end-to-end operations and product lifecycles mean that warehouse operators must be transparent with their customers about the carbon consumption of their own operations.
This requires operators to implement energy monitoring solutions which can accurately reflect energy consumption onsite. To increase their environmental credentials and the sustainability of their operations, energy monitoring and management solutions need to incorporate new systems to reduce energy and carbon consumption. This might include local renewable energy generation, battery storage to enable energy purchase from the grid when renewable generation is high and energy costs are low, and solutions for automated building management that can help to drive down energy costs, such as automated lighting, heating and ventilation based on environmental conditions, occupancy or other relevant conditions. Great advances are taking place in this realm, with artificial intelligence (AI) powered solutions with scheduling and predictive capabilities helping to optimise many different aspects of energy purchase and consumption and drive more efficient operations.
New connectivity options
The big box warehouse is no stranger to the Internet of Things. Many of the solutions deployed around this type of facility, such as conveyor belts, pallet racks, automated storage and retrieval systems and inventory tracking and management systems, depend on IoT devices. In addition, the driver for greater sustainability adds imperatives for additional energy metering, consumption monitoring devices and environmental sensors to be added to the network.
Yet many warehouses often have connectivity challenges. Thick walls, pillars in inopportune places, moving stock and mobile systems and vehicles around the site all impact network performance and can create gaps in coverage. To resolve these challenges, big box warehouses are exploring new connectivity and networking solutions, such as mesh networks and private LTE and 5G networks.
Other emerging technologies, such as LoRaWAN and satellite communications, offer warehouse operators new possibilities to combine logistics data in their operational monitoring and reporting. LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area networking protocol that is ideal for IoT applications in warehousing and logistics. It enables real-time tracking of assets, environmental monitoring – for example, to track the temperature and humidity of sensitive goods – and the predictive maintenance of equipment. Its long-range capabilities and low energy consumption make it perfect for large warehouses and remote areas.
In addition, satellites are revolutionising logistics by providing connectivity in regions where traditional networks are unavailable. They are particularly useful for tracking shipments across oceans or in remote locations, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer throughout the supply chain.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another innovative technology that big box warehouse operators are increasingly leveraging to optimise their operations. AI has an important role to play in improved analytics and scheduling with predictive capabilities.
Applications include: demand forecasting and inventory management; predictive maintenance of building systems, machinery, robotics and vehicles; route optimisation for logistics; risk management through the supply chain; and workforce or labour scheduling and optimisation. Together, these advanced analytics capabilities are helping forward-thinking big box warehouse operators to secure competitive advantage through more efficient operations.
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