INDUSTRY VIEW

VISHAL MINOCHA , VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCT MANAGEMENT , INFOR

While automation of movement of goods inside the warehouse has been instrumental in reducing turnaround times for e-commerce trade , a cloud-based WMS is essential , explains Vishal Minocha from Infor .

Robots vary significantly in size , functionality , mobility , dexterity , artificial intelligence , and cost . They can be fixed , mobile or fly , in the form of drones , and increasingly , they are programmed to recognise and learn from their surroundings . Their ability to capture information and make decisions independently , means that they can often perform tasks with little to no human intervention .

Here are three ways that robots can transform the modern warehouse .

Robotics-as -a-service

Robotics ’ deployment in the warehouse was , until recently , restricted to only the largest of organisations as they typically came in the form of fixed assets with high price tags . The emergence of robotics-as-a-service has , however , changed the game , bringing robotics-led innovation to warehouses of all different sizes and profiles . Testament to this , is that robotics is expected to see rapid growth over the next five years , particularly within supply chain operations that include lower-value , potentially dangerous or high-risk tasks .

The opportunity for ROI is huge , as travel and movement of goods

across the warehouse typically commands the most time and money . And against a backdrop of a global labour shortage , organisations are having to look at ever more creative ways to bridge skills gaps , and robotics represents a pivotal solution in this area .

Increasing complexity , new models

In the wake of a rise in online shopping , and associated SKU proliferation , merchandise has increased in both volume and diversity . Robots in the warehouse make it simpler and more efficient to move both batches and individual picks , not only reducing reliance on labour , but mitigating risk through increasing safety on the shop floor . Similarly , drones can undertake detailed stock counts at night , eliminating a need for people to physically check inventory .

As many organisations bring their warehouse operations back in-house to realise greater control in the wake of unprecedented complexity and uncertainty , robotics can instil flexibility . In a similar

Without a system which can be easily integrated via APIs , and seamlessly talk to the robots , robotics can only extend so far , limiting potential and impeding RoI .

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