As e-commerce keeps growing, businesses need to optimise their logistics to stay ahead. In today’s challenging business environment, finding cost-effective ways to recover and succeed is crucial. But the reality is, many companies are struggling with logistics challenges—whether it is managing order fulfillment, dealing with labour shortages, or navigating supply chain disruptions.
What is Automation Logistics
Automation Logistics refers to the use of automated systems and technologies to manage logistics operations. The warehousing and logistics process is never simple. Why not hand over repetitive tasks to automation? The use of automation can reduce human intervention and errors. It streamlines the entire logistics process, enhancing efficiency from procurement to production, inventory management, distribution, customer service, and more.
Key Automated Logistics Processes That Can Implemented
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
AS/RS improve accuracy by using automated systems to store and retrieve goods in warehouses. These systems use cranes, shuttles, and conveyors to move items around. In an automated smart warehouse like OMEGA, clients can use the built-in AS/RS right away. OMEGA’s main idea is that we build the system for you, making it easier to adopt automation.
Order Picking
In the order picking process, robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) help reduce mistakes and speed up the process. These technologies work together to minimize picking errors and process orders faster.
In ALP’s E-Commerce Hub, these automated systems have a significant impact. With 1,500 AGV shelves supporting over 70,000 picking locations, the order picking process is truly remarkable! This setup allows our clients to handle up to 15,000 orders each day, with 16 hours of continuous operation.
With a higher level of performance, business can improve logistics operation efficiency. The system operates smoothly, making it easier to handle busy times and high demand, such as during Black Friday and 11.11 sales. By maintaining this experience, this fosters stronger trust between the customers and businesses.
Inventory Management
Automation helps in inventory tracking and management by using RFID tags, barcodes, and warehouse management systems (WMS). These technologies give real-time data on inventory levels, locations, and movements. This helps keep track of the stock level, maintain the accuracy of inventory, and prevent the opportunity cost of product lost.
To enhance your current WMS, consider implementing ALPOS, the smart IT platform developed by ALP. ALPOS supports management services by providing insights into operation progress and equipment performance across different hubs. It works on multiple devices, making it easier to manage and monitor your logistics operations from anywhere.
Transportation Management
Transportation management systems (TMS) automate the planning and execution of the movement of goods. They optimise routes, manage carrier contracts, and track shipments, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Automated data analysis tools can manage large volumes of data from different sources. They analyze this data to give you clear insights into how your logistics operations are performing.
These tools create detailed reports on important metrics. For example, they track delivery times, measure order accuracy, and monitor inventory turnover. With this information, you can understand how well things are running and identify areas that need improvement. This helps you make informed decisions and enhance your logistics processes.
Benefits of Implementing Automation Logistics
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
Automated systems handle repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently. This frees up human workers to focus on tasks that generate revenue for the company.
By automating these routine processes, businesses can use logistics software to boost employee productivity. Thus, workers can spend more time on important tasks that help the company grow and succeed..
Cost Savings
Logistics automation can help businesses save money by reducing costs from repetitive tasks and daily operations. It lowers labor costs, cuts storage expenses, and eliminates costs from manual processes like picking items or entering data. Obviously, these savings allow companies to invest in more valuable activities.
Reducing Costly Errors from Human
To be honest, automated systems handle tasks like picking, packing, and inventory management more accurately than humans. You cannot compare human performance to that of robots in this context.
These systems help prevent the extra costs that often come with mistakes. By reducing mistakes, automation definitely boosts productivity.
Clear Logistics Data Flow
Logistics automation enables the company to access the real time data. It is essential for company to get reports with lesser time, in order to improve the planning and respond for any external events.
Improved Customer Service
Logistics automation provides complete tracking and better visibility of the movement of goods. Your customer is able to access information by improving service quality and transparency for customers. At the same time, you can address customer requests much more quickly.
Conclusion
Automation logistics is transforming the way warehouses operate by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and business growth. Technologies such as AS/RS, AGV and other forms of warehouse automation are at the forefront of this revolution. To achieve greater productivity and cost-effectiveness, companies are increasingly adopting these advanced technologies. This will soon become a must-have in the omni-channel business ecosystem.
Robots can operate 24/7 without needing breaks. Work closely with robots, where they handle repetitive tasks while you focus on more complex and creative work. This will be the future work mode in the AI technology era.
For more detailed insights on implementing automation logistics in your company in Malaysia, contact us to learn more.