Global consumer demand is soaring, driven by e-commerce and general market growth. Supply chains must innovate to stay competitive, but they face challenges like inefficient warehouse use (only 60% utilized), high worker turnover (up to 40%), and costly returns of inaccurate orders. How can these demands be met effectively? 

For industries, enterprises, and even small businesses, this represents a fantastic opportunity for technology investments such as AutoStore, which is an automated storage, goods-to-person (GTP) picking and fulfillment solution in a compact footprint. Benefits include:

• Increasing storage capacity by up to 4x over traditional manual warehousing
• Picking rates of up to 650 picks/hour per person
• Streamlining workflows to improve productivity
• Scaling easily to boost throughput on-demand

In countless new examples, businesses are proving investments in supply chain technology are helping them adapt quickly to market changes and meet customer demands to stay ahead of their competitors.

1. Increase storage density:

Whether you lease or buy existing parcels of land, build new facilities, or use existing structures, footprint is expensive. Why expand when you don’t have to? AutoStore has the highest storage density of any GTP solution in the market and can reduce your storage footprint by up to 75%. Furthermore, space savings allow for better utilization of existing facilities beyond warehousing. Some customers have used newly created space to expand manufacturing or add special areas for value-adding tasks such as kitting or custom build areas.

2. Improve picking rates:

AutoStore brings the products directly to the operator, streamlining the picking process by reducing foot traffic and keeping the products close to where they’re needed. One AutoStore operator can do the work of several manual pickers, and with new enhancements such as CarouselAI, you can reduce picking labor.

3. Streamline returns and replenishment processing:

In a manual operation, returns are tedious and require walking around the warehouse to replenish single units. With AutoStore, the bins are delivered directly to the receiving area, then whisked away by robots for storage. Returns can also be consolidated with existing stock at receiving by delivering specific bins in sequence to the operator.

This is especially beneficial for reverse logistics because of the growing number of single unit returns.

4. Scale easily

AutoStore is scalable and can be quickly expanded. Add ports, robots, and even expand the grid with minimal interruption as SKU and storage demand increases. You only need to invest in enough capacity to cover the short-term forecast. AutoStore allows you to hold onto your CAPEX and expand when business reaches growth targets.

Increasing capacity and throughput are important for businesses growing rapidly. However, other needs must be considered when assessing automation solutions. AutoStore offers additional benefits:

Is your warehouse running like a classic car in the age of autonomous vehicles? You can get from A to B, but without new technology, your picking is inefficient, with inventory discrepancies and poor service levels. Modern cars rely on software for everything from navigation to fuel efficiency, and warehouse efficiency is similar. With AutoStore, you have inventory and performance visibility. Stock levels are accurate, pick rates are clear, and you can identify slow and fast-moving SKUs. But that’s just the start. Advanced analytics offer constant improvements to continuously optimize your warehouse. Moreover, you can integrate with your chosen ERP or WMS. 

Your journey doesn’t end with AutoStore. Instead, think of it as the heart of a complete solution that integrates with other technologies to serve as end-to-end warehouse automation solution to boost operational efficiency and gain greater control of your operations. Examples of integrations include:

• Conveyor network for tote transfer to packing, receiving, and sorting areas
• Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Dematic Multishuttle® as part of e-commerce order consolidation
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and for transport of pallets for orders and replenishments

At Dematic, we understand that every business is unique. That's why we leverage our extensive industry experience and expertise to thoroughly assess your specific operations and business goals. This allows us to tailor an AutoStore solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing systems and delivers results across your entire operation, including helping you provide exceptional service to your customers.

AutoStore is also one of the most sustainable warehouse automation solutions on the market. AutoStore robots use power regeneration technology to minimize energy consumption. In fact, in a turnkey system with 10 robots and a GTP workstation, energy consumption is approximately just 1,200 Watts. In addition to saving money, this represents a real opportunity for businesses to reduce their operating expense and carbon footprint.

All in all, AutoStore is a leading warehouse innovation making intelligent use of space and streamlining picking, packing, and replenishment operations to help you manage demand. From upscaling for future growth to gaining valuable insights into warehouse operations to delivering sustainable business-critical improvements, AutoStore is a solution for a proactive, productive, and self-sufficient warehouse.

To learn more, read our case studies to see how Dematic has implemented AutoStore solutions for your industry.