Smart Warehouse- The Warehouse of the Future

"Smart" items in our everyday life are increasing day by day as technology advances even
further. Whether it is smartphones or smart homes that control heating, cooling and security all
in a finger's touch, we have quite a few smart items that we rely on. But what common quality do
all these smart things have?

The common quality of all smart things have is that they simplify and streamline our everyday
lives and enable us to be as efficient and productive as we can be. If we situate this logic in the
ways warehouses function, it can be said that a Smart Warehouse is designed to increase
operating efficiency by incorporating the best smart warehouse solutions and other
technologies to enable it to function at high productivity levels and keep up with the fast-paced
market.

Areas like automation and real-time connection are the most focused ones when ensuring the
efficiency of a smart warehouse. There are different technologies that contribute to the world of
smart warehouses. Here are 4 smart warehouse technologies that are the most popular and
cover maximum areas of focus:

1) Automated Vehicles

The current trend of automation or popularly known as Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial
revolution, automatic and sophisticated technologies are being invented. One such technology
implemented product is the Automatic Guided Vehicles. These vehicles directly increase the
RoI, more than manual labor, and also efficiently carry out storing and retrieval processes of
goods. AGV also maintains an accurate count of goods and integrates with the existing
Warehouse Management System. This allows cloud-based reporting which is real-time.

2) Cobots

Instead of taking the place of manual labor, collaborative robots or cobots works alongside
humans to improve the performance of a smart warehouse. Whether it's counting or sorting or
even reporting, cobots take minimal time in these day-to-day operations and work smoothly with
the existing processes of an established warehouse. With in-house mapping capabilities,
integration to the existing cloud database, customizable GPS and lightweight body, cobots fully
optimize workflow.

3) IoT Implementation

Internet of Things is one of the major trends in Industry 4.0 solutions. With the growth of IoT,
millions of equipment, smart systems, electronics, customer products, and other items can all be
connected together. From improved efficiency, better inventory management, less labor, and
much better customer engagement, the Internet of Things has many benefits that increase the
mobility of a smart warehouse. It also reduces the chance of mistakes and accidents and thus
reduces risks.

4) Warehouse Management System

Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a software of Smart Warehouse Solutions

streamlines day to day warehouse operations. WMS software can either be standalone
applications or a part of an even larger ERP system. WMS system compiles all the important
data that is needed to control and maintain the mobility of the warehouse goods and gives
access to internal members or selected personnel in the supply chain to those data.

Smart Warehouse, with the right technologies, can greatly improve productivity and optimize
visibility in real-time. All kinds of businesses benefit from having an efficient and well-organized
warehouse that can meet the demand-supply rate of customers in the future.