Overview
Maximize performance with AutoStore empowered by Dematic
AutoStore is an advanced automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) for high-density, high-throughput piece-pick and case-pick operations. Its modular grid structure — combined with fast-moving robots — maximizes storage density, accelerates inventory retrieval, and adapts to changing needs, even in cold storage environments.
AutoStore is a go-to solution at any scale — from small, stand-alone grids to high-throughput operations requiring 10,000 or more bin presentations per hour and up to +40,000 for enterprise operations.
As a trusted automation partner, Dematic combines its global resources and expertise with AutoStore’s innovative technology to deliver supply chain solutions that empower and sustain customer operations.
When you're picking a vendor for an AutoStore system, pick a partner that will be with you through the difficult times as well as the easy times. Fortunately, we partnered with Dematic, and they've done a great job in that regard.
Philip WengerDirector of Technology, Noble
Benefits of AutoStore
AutoStore systems, empowered by Dematic, combine high-density piece and case storage with high-throughput automation to transform warehouse operations. As an experienced integrator and software expert, Dematic is uniquely qualified to implement AutoStore systems to achieve superior performance. What’s more, the Dematic Lifecycle Solutions & Services team is globally available to guarantee these AutoStore benefits:
High throughput
Fast bin retrieval with 10,000+ to 40,000+ bin presentations per hour and a sustained solution-level throughput to meet peak and seasonal demands.
Reliability
No single point of failure and highly reliable robots provide 99.7% uptime and continuous operation, even in high-throughput environments.
Space
Vertically stacked bins reduce floor space requirements up to 75% and increase storage density up to 4x.
Flexibility and scalability
Modular design allows for easy expansion and adaptation to changing business needs. Whether scaling storage or adding robots, the system adapts quickly to operational requirements.
Speed and efficiency
Quick retrieval and minimal downtime ensure rapid order fulfillment, providing fast, reliable delivery while improving operational efficiency.
Product safety and security
Secure, automated storage that minimizes human error by reducing product handling risks. Inventory is stored safely in bins within a controlled system to ensure product integrity.
How AutoStore works
AutoStore is a grid of stacked bins with autonomous robots that travel on top the grid and reach into the grid to store and retrieve inventory. The robots bring the bins to workstations (also called ports) where workers pick items for order fulfillment. Chargers ensure the robots are always ready, and the controller manages system operations, coordinating robots and optimizing the workflow.
Integration capabilities allow AutoStore to work with other systems as part of larger flexible automation solution. Modular design provides redundancy to ensure continuous operation. AutoStore delivers sustained system-wide throughput for consistent order fulfillment performance during peak demand, seasonal surges, and 24/7 operation.
AutoStore applications by industry
AutoStore systems provide transformative storage, retrieval, and order fulfilment solutions across industries. The adaptable, high-density systems maximise space, increase efficiency, and boost customer satisfaction.
Retail
AutoStore systems optimize retail operations with high-density storage and fast order fulfillment for efficient management of diverse sets of SKUs. Their compact design maximizes space in backrooms and warehouses, while their intelligent inventory management ensures popular items are quickly accessible. AutoStore systems boost productivity, enhance customer satisfaction, and support omnichannel strategies for same-day delivery and in-store pickup.
How Dematic works in the real world
It is critical to select the right supplier - one that will be a trusted partner throughout the entire process.
As a company that’s led innovation in Supply Chain for more than 200 years, Dematic provides the widest range of solutions and the expertise to build the solution you need for complete control and visibility over your operation.
Our solutions are tailored to your business challenges. Using standardised sub-systems and industry-leading insight and expertise, Dematic provides world-class integrated hardware, software, and support to help you empower people, optimise space, drive growth and improve efficiency.
With Dematic, you can grow your business to compete locally, retain customer loyalty, and deliver with speed and accuracy on a global scale.
Handbook
Evaluation of Goods-to-Person Solutions for Optimized Item Order Picking
This eBook explores in detail the challenges supply chains currently face and compares the leading systems available today. Learn more about:
- The megatrends currently impacting businesses and their supply chains
- How automated goods-to-person systems provide highly efficient order fulfilment
- A detailed analysis and comparison of the technologies, plotting how they fit throughput and storage requirements
- Real-world examples of goods-to-person item order-picking solutions in action
Frequently asked questions
An AutoStore system is a high-density, cubic AS/RS where bins are stacked vertically in a grid and accessed by robots that travel on the top layer of the system grid. Robots retrieve bins and deliver them to ports for picking or replenishment.
The main components of an AutoStore system are:
- Grid: The aluminum framework within which bins are stored.
- Robots: Autonomous vehicles that travel on top of the grid to retrieve and transport bins.
- Bins: Containers that hold inventory.
- Workstations (Ports): Areas where bins are delivered for picking inventory and replenishing inventory.
- Controllers: The central processing area where the software that manages system operations and communicates with other systems, such as warehouse management systems (WMSs).
Yes, their modular design allows for easy expansion by adding more grid, robots, or ports without disrupting existing operations.
Autostore systems provide the fastest rate per square meter for order fulfillment systems. They can be implemented approximately 40% faster than other systems, and they have a lower CapEx, OpEx, and total cost of ownership.
Not at all. Retrieving bins from bottom layers is rare because bins are continuously adjusted based on demand and order forecasts — 80% of picks come from the top three layers.
Urgent (rush) orders bypass the standard queue and are processed immediately so you can prioritize customers.
Yes, the AutoStore Multi-Temperature capability provides storage for ambient, refrigerated, and frozen goods. To minimize space and save energy, a single grid can have sections with different storage temperatures. Or a grid can be a single storage temperature, for example, frozen-only. Multiple frozen temperature grids can be added side-by-side to expand capacity. The AutoStore Multi-Temperature capability is especially well-suited for grocery and healthcare operations.
The AutoStore's High Throughput capability allows even the largest e-commerce customers retailers to store more inventory (over one million bins) and fulfill faster (+40,000 bin presentations/hour), even with space constraints and peak demand periods. With the ability to store over one million bins, you can have nearly unlimited storage for all of your SKUs. The AutoStore ports provide fast throughput to fulfill orders in seconds, not hours, to meet peak demands of holidays and other surge shopping days.
Uptime for AutoStore systems globally is 99.7%. With no single point of failure, AutoStore prevents full operational shutdown. Fail-safe retrieval allows full access to all SKUs. Self-diagnostic and AI-driven preventative maintenance reduce the need for intervention.
Pio is created and owned by AutoStore. It offers cube-based storage and robotics to smaller brands, giving them space-saving capabilities that make warehouse operations faster and simpler than manual operation. Contact our Sales team to learn more.
As a trusted AutoStore partner since 2017, Dematic has extended key AutoStore advantages (high throughput, reliability, and increased storage density) with our unique industry expertise and support services for hundreds of projects globally. Our dedicated AutoStore teams work with you to understand your specific challenges and deliver a solution that succeeds both now and in future. Dematic Software turns your data into direction and our Lifecycle Solutions and Services team are with you for the long term.