Autonomous robots are supporting the trend of direct unloading.

Push-pull effect

Many businesses operating warehouses and distribution centers (DCs) are eager to quickly introduce autonomous robotic systems (AMRs) into their facilities. These businesses need to accelerate order fulfillment and improve goods flow. However, they lack sufficient manpower to meet demand, especially during peak periods, and they require flexible automation solutions to enhance their workforce capabilities.

Although increased order volumes and shortened delivery times are common causes of delays in picking, packing, and shipping processes, this becomes even more apparent when automated robotic systems (AMRs) are deployed in output processes. Workers have to travel less distance, freeing them up more time to pick and pack more orders, significantly improving efficiency and output.

This is why managers responsible for making decisions conducted a comprehensive audit of operating facilities, where they found that the receiving and replenishment processes were not yet automated using the aforementioned methods, which was the root cause of efficiency and quality errors. Because the processes remained manual and labor-intensive, workers faced significant difficulties in receiving raw materials and finished products for storage or transfer, even when using forklifts and other machinery.

The volume of goods being unloaded is increasing daily at a record pace while customer demand is booming. Therefore, although the workload of both input and output teams is equally impacted by the increase in orders, output teams are performing better thanks to support from AMR.

Therefore, businesses operating warehouses and distribution centers are gradually realizing that to move goods out of the warehouse faster and in greater quantities, they need to implement more AMRs in the inbound process. This balance is key to shortening the direct unloading cycle necessary to keep up with the rapid pace of high-speed outbound operations.

Businesses are increasingly recognizing the value of automating the delivery of materials and goods to the correct container location to maintain a steady inflow of incoming goods to fulfillment sites. When this task is not required, receiving teams can focus on high-value tasks such as checking and scanning critical information into the warehouse management system (WMS).

Applying technology to warehouse operations helps businesses achieve high efficiency.

Opportunities for businesses operating warehouses.

Operating a warehouse involves many complex processes that must be coordinated to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and smooth operation. If only one process is optimized – as we've seen in the case of the imbalance between automated order fulfillment and the lack of automation in inventory management – then the effort invested will be meaningless.

To meet consumer demand, delivery speed plays a role just as important as product quality. Logistics services are one of the key factors determining consumer purchasing behavior and sales for e-commerce businesses. With the boom in online businesses, Vietnam's logistics and warehousing industry has many opportunities for development.

Nevertheless, agile automation is a relatively new concept for many supply chain workers, especially those who have relied on fixed automation for decades. On-demand automation solutions, such as cloud-based AMR (automated robotics) solutions or robotics as a service (RaaS), are very different from other automation platforms that require long-term commitment and significant initial investment.

Today, AMR effectively supports logistics operations, both outbound and inbound – safely transporting raw materials, semi-finished products, packaged goods, palletized goods, and even recyclable materials to the right place, at the right time. Simply put, if the unloading cycle is optimized with AMR, the efficiency of the subsequent picking, packing, and shipping processes can be elevated to new heights. When the entire operation runs smoothly like a well-oiled machine, employees, shareholders, partners, and customers will be satisfied and pleased.

More details: https://www.zebra.com/ap/en.html

Bich Dao

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