The global pandemic brought endless unexpected changes to the global supply chain and distribution networks. Even today, labour shortage drastically impacts many businesses’ sales figures. The rising operating expenses and excessively high customer expectations put immense pressure on warehouses.

If your business operates from an in-city or urban warehouse, you already understand how challenging the situation becomes when everything isn’t in order. A minor mistake in warehouse operation can cost you massive in the long run. Welcome to this post that helps you understand the significance of automation in industrial real estate, such as a warehouse. 

If you plan or currently run a warehouse in the City of Joy, you must understand the following points.

Warehouse Automation – Bidding Farewell to Yesterday’s Manual Efforts 

The fulfilment process is complex – from receiving items to picking, packing, and shipping them. Back then, these tasks were solely dependent on manual efforts. However, as labour shortage started hindering these operations, businesses gradually shifted to automated technologies. 

If your warehouse does not include technological upgrades, your work becomes time-consuming and labour-intensive. Hiring more labourers means getting them paid daily. Automatically, your cost becomes double what you would otherwise pay if it included automated technologies. 

Efficiency in your warehouse is integral, for it promotes workers’ productivity and improves its operation. Without automation, manually performing the tasks may impose human error. 

Chances are high that your pickers may grab the wrong product. Or the total number of items picked and packed might not be monitored accurately. Besides packing errors, your order fulfilment process may result in customer dissatisfaction in the long run. 

Welcoming Automation in the World of Warehouses – A Better Today and Tomorrow

Once you integrate automation in your warehouse, you are one step ahead in the management procedure. By definition, warehouse automation is a simple process that automates your inventory’s movements within and out of the warehouse until the item gets delivered to the customer. From eliminating human errors to reducing repetitive physical tasks (like entering data manually and more), warehouse automation has a lot of benefits. 

Thinking that warehouse automation solely depends on robotic technologies is a misconception. At times, it may only include software that replaces manual work. In short, it explains how humans and robots work together to achieve repetitive work and minimise injury while promoting productivity.

Physical and Digital Automation – Understanding the Differences

A warehouse can use both digital and physical automation. While digital automation uses software and data that reduces manual work pressure, physical automation uses technology that minimises employee movement. Both offer excellent benefits for warehouse operation.

The following are the benefits of digital automation:

• Improved security
• Reduced legal and operational risks
• Enhanced data management efficiency
• Reduces manual processes 
• Eliminates manual errors

The following are the benefits of physical automation:

• Minimises employee work
• Improve efficient workflows
• Increases warehouse efficiency and capacity

You need significant upfront costs and implement physical automation. This will help monitor your warehouse system while maintaining equipment and expenses. 

Planning to buy or rent a warehouse in the City of Joy (Kolkata)? Here’s what you must learn about the several types of warehouse automation. 

Which Type of Warehouse Automation Do You Need for Your Business?

Warehouse operations extend beyond mere tasks. If you are looking for a warehouse in Kolkata, you can look for a space that offers any of these automation solutions:

Basic Automation

It’s the simplest one in the category, and it implements straightforward technology to assist individuals with tasks that may otherwise require manual labour. Take the example of conveyors or carousels that move the inventory from one point to another.

System Automation

Next comes system automation, which implements software, robotics, data analytics, and machine learning to automate different procedures. Such a warehouse management system can review orders that must be filled in one single day. It includes individuals picking items to fulfil orders in one go. This way, they do not traverse the warehouse to and fro various.

Mechanised Automation

Such a warehouse automation implements robotic equipment and systems. It assists people with warehouse procedures. 

Advanced Automation

The most advanced automation process combines automation systems with mechanised warehouse robotics. It replaces labour-intensive workflows. A robotic forklift fleet using advanced AI and cameras is an excellent example of advanced warehouse automation.

Wrapping up

Warehouse automation is crucial in in-city commercial real estate. Without technological upgrades, your warehouse experiences poor inventory management. So, embracing automation solutions helps you succeed. 

Thus, implementing these technologies enables you to achieve improved efficiency and reduces manual errors. Besides, real-time data ensures better stock control while minimising risks of stockouts. Besides offering real-time inventory data, the software optimises picking routes and monitors order fulfilment progress.

Automation reduces the need to lift items manually. Now that you have learned the benefits of automation in a warehouse, it’s time to search for a space that includes these technological revolutions.