The fast-paced world of logistics and e-commerce requires efficient warehouse management for successful business operations. It's because the way you store, organize, and retrieve goods quickly and accurately can make or break your company's competitiveness in today's market. So, to make warehouse management easy for you, an automated warehouse system is suitable that revolutionizes traditional manual warehousing.
It helps streamline your company's processes, reduce costs, minimize errors, and attain unprecedented levels of efficiency. If you want to know more about an automated warehouse system, its trends, and more, let's dive in!
- What is Warehouse Automation?
- Trends in Warehouse Automation
- How Much Does It Cost to Automate a Warehouse?
- Types of Warehouse Automation
- Advantages of Warehouse Automation
- Future of Warehouse Automation
What is Warehouse Automation?
Warehouse automation is a technology that facilitates the seamless movement of inventory. It allows entry, movement within, and departure of inventory products from warehouses, all while minimizing human intervention. This transformative process enables businesses to eliminate labor-intensive tasks characterized by repetitive physical labor and manual data entry and analysis.
Trends in Warehouse Automation
Here are some trends in warehouse automation that you'll see in rise in the upcoming years:
Hype of Robots
Robots have become indispensable tools in modern automated warehouses, revolutionizing the way goods are stored, picked, packed, and transported. They offer several benefits, including efficient order picking, improved accuracy, the ability to handle heavy lifting, and the capacity to operate 24/7.
The future of warehouse automation is also bright with robots, and due to these exciting reasons, the global robots market size is expected to hit US$45.09 billion in 2028. The following are the types of robots that help in warehouse automation:
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): AMRs are versatile robots with sensors that navigate autonomously through warehouses, performing tasks like order picking and inventory management, improving efficiency and adaptability.
- Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): AGVs are wheeled robots that follow predefined paths, optimizing material transport within warehouses, especially in large-scale distribution centers.
- Robotic Arms: They mimic human arm movements, excelling in precision tasks such as picking items from shelves, packing, and assembly, enhancing order accuracy and efficiency.
IoT
IoT is another critical trend in automated warehouses that enables you to track and monitor every aspect of the operation, including the robots themselves. IoT sensors and devices are strategically integrated throughout the warehouse, offering real-time visibility and data-driven insights.
They track the location, status, and performance of robots, ensuring that they operate at peak efficiency. Furthermore, IoT facilitates precise monitoring of inventory levels, environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity), and equipment health. This wealth of data empowers warehouse managers to make informed decisions, optimize supply chain processes, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
Plug and Play Solutions
Plug-and-play solutions have emerged as a pivotal trend in warehouse automation, offering a seamless and adaptable approach to implementing automation technologies. They are made with modularity in mind, allowing you to easily integrate new automation components into your existing warehouse systems. Consider it as upgrading your computer software without losing your important files or adding a new feature to your phone without buying an entirely new device.
All in all, plug-and-play solutions offer scalability, allowing your business to adjust the level of automation as your needs change. This flexibility ensures that your warehouse fulfills your specific requirements and meets the evolving demands of your business.
How Much Does It Cost to Automate a Warehouse?
Integrating an automated warehouse system to automate your warehouse isn't a piece of cake and costs you millions of bucks. Generally, it may cost you a whopping $1 million to $25 million, depending upon the technology or solution you choose.
Types of Warehouse Automation
Here are the various types of automated warehouse systems that help you in warehouse automation:
1. EVVR In-Wall Relay Switch
First, we have the EVVR In-Wall Relay Switch, a fantastic automated warehouse gadget. With a no-neutral-wire-required installation, it offers cost-effective and flexible smart lighting without requiring extensive rewiring. This switch seamlessly integrates into the Apple HomeKit ecos ystem, enabling effortless control of warehouse lighting using Siri or the Home App on your Apple devices.
Its compact design ensures compatibility with various wall switches, supporting hardwired 3-way or 4-way configurations, making it the ideal choice to automate and enhance lighting efficiency in your warehouse. But the EVVR HomeKit In-Wall Relay Switch isn't just about lighting but total control.
With the ability to work with all types of conventional wall switches, from toggle switches to momentary push buttons and smart remote buttons, it suits any warehouse environment, whether modern or classic.
Key Features
- No-Neutral-Wire Installation for Cost Savings
- Seamless Integration with Apple HomeKit
- Compact Design Fits Multiple Wall Switch Types
- Supports Hardwired 3-way or 4-way Configurations
- Compatibility with Various Bulb Types
- Effortless Control via Siri and Apple Homekit App
2. EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay
The EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay is a groundbreaking automated warehouse solution that brings intelligence to many warehouse devices while offering precise energy monitoring. You can effortlessly track the hourly energy consumption of your plug-in devices with an impressive 99% accuracy.
This enables you to make informed decisions and optimize energy efficiency through the user-friendly EVVR App. What sets this device apart is the Magnetic Retention Relay, which provides stable status to your devices and consumes a remarkable 90% less working energy (0.5-1W) compared to other products.
Safety is paramount in any warehouse environment, and the EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug prioritizes it. It has zero-crossing switching protection, overload and over-temperature protection, a tamper-proof shell design, and a button lock function.
It can handle currents of up to 16 Amps, making it compatible with high-power appliances while significantly lowering the risk of electrical fires. Lastly, its space-saving design with a 90-degree angle extension cord eliminates the inconvenience of protruding plugs, freeing up valuable warehouse space and enhancing the efficiency of long-term plugged-in devices.
Key Features
- Precise Energy Monitoring with 99% Accuracy
- Magnetic Retention Relay for Stability and Energy Efficiency
- Robust Safety Features, including Overload and Over-temperature Protection
- Supports High-power Appliances up to 16 Amps
- Space-saving Design with a 90-degree Extension Cord
3. EVVR Center Lite
The EVVR Center Lite is an amazing automated warehouse device that seamlessly connects all your business devices and robots. It offers high compatibility via Zigbee 3.0, Sub-1 GHz Proprietary Protocol, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. It's your centralized control hub for warehouse automation, designed for future compatibility with Matter. With robust data encryption and local storage, EVVR prioritizes your data security and privacy, eliminating cloud storage concerns.
Plus, it extends your control range with a star network, allowing you to manage devices from every corner of your warehouse. With the user-friendly EVVR Console, you can effortlessly configure automation, link devices, and organize your warehouse for improved warehouse efficiency. So, get ready to experience the future of warehouse automation with EVVR Center Lite – where compatibility, security, and control converge to streamline your business operations.
Key Features
- Future-Proof with Matter Compatibility
- Local Data Storage and Security
- Centralized Control with Star Network
- Intuitive EVVR Console for Easy Management
- Web and Mobile Compatibility for Convenience
Advantages of Warehouse Automation
The many benefits of automated warehouse systems are:
Enhanced Efficiency
Warehouse automation is a game-changer in terms of operational efficiency. Warehouse automated systems, such as robots and conveyor belts, tackle repetitive and time-consuming tasks like order picking and packing with unwavering consistency. This streamlined workflow results in shorter lead times and faster order processing, equipping your business to meet increasing demands seamlessly while keeping customers satisfied.
Improved Accuracy
Automation systems minimize the margin for human error in warehouse operations. They meticulously follow precise instructions, reducing the likelihood of mistakes such as shipping the wrong items or misplacing products within the warehouse. With enhanced accuracy, your business maintains superior inventory control and experiences fewer customer complaints.
Cost Reduction
Although the initial investment in warehouse automation can be substantial, the long-term cost savings are noteworthy. Automation slashes the need for manual labor, translating into reduced labor costs over time. Moreover, by optimizing inventory levels and reducing errors, businesses curtail carrying costs and prevent losses associated with overstocking or stockouts.
Future of Warehouse Automation
The future of warehouse automation is exciting and transformative. Expect to see more advanced automated warehouse robots working alongside humans, optimizing order fulfillment. AI and machine learning will continue to refine operations, making warehouses smarter and more efficient.
Enhanced connectivity through IoT will provide real-time insights, improving inventory management. Sustainability will be a focus, with eco-friendly practices and green technologies becoming the norm. Lastly, automation will enable rapid adaptation to shifting market demands, ensuring that warehouses remain agile and competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.
Conclusion
Automated warehouse solutions like robots, smart in-wall relay switches, and plugs make your warehouse automation journey easy. With these solutions in place, you get to experience better warehouse management, resulting in business growth. And if you are searching for the best place to get automated warehouse solutions, EVVR is your one-stop shop.
Having products like EVVR Smart In-Wall Relay Switch, EVVR Hub, EVVR Center Lite, EVVR Energy Monitoring Smart Plug and Relay, and more ensures your warehouse stays smarter and more productive. All our solutions are affordable and of high quality so that you won't face any performance issues. Contact us today and have your favorite warehouse automation gadget now!
