Comparing compact storage systems

Let's take a look at the characteristics of the major compact systems by looking at each individual criterion above:

Depending on the number of permissible SKUs

The number of pallets per SKU will determine the suitability of one system or another. Some systems accommodate more SKU variety than
others.

Number of SKUs per system

Drive-in Movirack mobile
Push-back racks Pallet Shuttle Flow racks
racking pallet racks,
Low, each Medium/High, each channel holds Medium, each channel High, as it gives Medium/High, each channel holds
lane only one SKU, but if there are five levels holds one SKU, but direct access to SKUs one SKU, but if there are five levels
holds one in a bay. So, this number multiplies should be at least 8 (once the aisle is in a bay, this number multiplies by
SKU by five pallets deep open) five
Systems according to the channel or lane depth

Each lane of the racks houses pallets of the same SKU. So, the capacity is determined by how deep the channels can get.

Channel depth per system

Drive-in racking Push-back racks Pallet Shuttle Movirack mobile pallet racking Flow racks
Medium or low, Low, depends on whether trolleys High, holds more It’s halfway between compact and High, deep stores
should not exceed or rollers are used, but may be than 40 pallets standard systems, so this system is more than 20 m of
8/10 pallets deep limited to 4 pallets deep deep usually single depth pallets
Racks recommended in relation to the rotation of goods

There are certain patterns that show some systems are more suitable for storing high rotation (A) goods, or medium rotation (B) or even low
rotation (C) ones. As a guide, you can make a distinction between:

Recommended rotation type per system

Drive-in racking Push-back racking Pallet Shuttle Movirack mobile pallet racks Flow racks
High rotation (A) Medium (B) and high (A) High rotation (A) Medium (B) and low rotation (C) High rotation (A)
Comparison as per compatibility with FIFO or LIFO flows
The sequence which the flows of goods follows and the movement of stock are fundamental issues in defining which type of system is compatible
with your way of operating a warehouse. With that in mind, your options include:

Operate with either a FIFO or LIFO system by system

Push-back Flow
Drive-in racking Pallet Shuttle Movirack mobile pallet racking
racks racks
FIFO: drive-in LIFO: drive- It lets you to operate with FIFO and LIFO (more It lets you to operate with FIFO
LIFO FIFO
through common with LIFO) and LIFO
Systems compared on productivity potential

In every warehouse, there is a delicate balance between the storage capacity and the operability of your installation. In the case of high-density
racks, the channels’ depth, number and type of operations to be performed define how productive each system is:

Productivity per system

Drive-in racks Push-back Pallet Shuttle Movirack mobile racks Flow racks
Low, mainly because High, the maneuver is Medium/low, because you must open High, the forklifts
Medium/high, if you
the forklift must be direct since the pallet is aisles every time you want to access a must not move
need to change the
inserted into the taken from the first SKU. It will depend on the management within the
shuttle’s level
channel position of locations channels
Comparison of safety operations

Safety is another important issue when choosing one system or another. The risk of accidents will be limited–more or less–by the racking’s
characteristics and operations involved in using it:

Safety system
Push- Pallet Flow
Drive-in racks Movirack mobile racks
back Shuttle racks
Low, inserting the machines into the channels High, by including automatic detection and
High High High
increases the risk of impacts shutdown systems
Systems compared on profitability and ROI

To evaluate the economic viability of one solution or another, take not only the initial investment into account, but also the impact that the system
will have on operating costs and the estimated return on investment (ROI). For example, it is common for state-of-the-art solutions to require a
higher initial investment. In return, the increase in productivity and the associated cost reduction mean that the return on investment is shorter in
the long run.
 Movirack mobile
Drive-in racks Push-back Pallet Shuttle Flow racks
pallet racks
The investment is
The initial investment is The ROI is medium- recovered in
The initial investment
lower but the ROI is shorter in The investment is average in term. the medium term.
is higher, but requires
the long term. Although racking size, as it entails purchasing An average-sized initi The initial investment
less handling
is the cheapest, equipment and automated systems. But it al investment. is high. It works with
equipment than drive-
operators you need must be also provides high performance Considerable storage less equipment but
in racks
considered space is saved requires more storage
space
Conclusion: What is right for my business?

However, before deciding between one type of compact rack or another, you should carry out a pre-calculation of the pallets that would be housed
with each option, considering the available surface area in your warehouse and the handling equipment. If you would like one of our experts to
give you some detailed advice, get in touch with us. We will help you find the solution that best suits your warehouse