Six months? A year? Frankly, it is difficult to say. Numerous aspects come into play, from the nature of your warehouse to your customization needs. Limited visibility into the expected timeline upfront deters many from adopting automation. They assume the project to be lengthy, complicated, and risky. After all, it is fear of the unknown.
But what if you could automate your warehouse in 6 weeks? Sounds impossible, right? Read on as we delve into the factors that impact a warehouse automation project and showcase how a retrofit solution can instantly deliver benefits!
Factors That Impact the Automation Timeline
Different organizations look at warehouse automation differently. For some, it means quicker order processing. For some, it translates into better workforce productivity and efficiency. In reality, warehouse automation projects vary according to business needs and demands, with varying adoption levels of robotics, sorting systems, or real-time decision-making to maximize throughput and minimize error.
So, how long does a warehouse automation project take? Let us analyze the most important variables influencing the project timeline:
- Warehouse Type: Depending on your warehouse, your automation project will vary in duration. If you construct a new warehouse from the ground up, a greenfield implementation would be quicker. You can introduce new automation systems and tools without spending time, money, and effort re-engineering your warehouse. Your schedule will differ from a brownfield implementation, where you might have to update, tear out, or replace existing systems to pave the way for automation.
- Scope of Automation: Automation can start with a simple warehouse management system or advanced robotics for order picking, inventory management, barcode scanning, packaging, etc. The scope of automation determines how long it would take to automate your current warehouse. More complex end-to-end warehouse automation using robots and automated systems will, naturally, take longer.
- Customization Requirements: The extent of customization required in your warehouse automation project also determines the timeline. Solutions to address specific business requirements would entail additional planning, design, and testing stages. Internal staff would have to alter existing systems, create bespoke solutions, and establish automation approaches to fit in with existing working practices.
- Data Quality: Data quality is yet another significant parameter that can affect the project timeline of warehouse automation projects. Missing, incorrect, or inconsistent data can lead to system failure, process inefficiency, or even costly shutdowns. Automation systems need accurate and current information to efficiently manage inventory, pick orders, and perform real-time tracking.
- Internal Expertise: Automation success also depends significantly on the experience and know-how of your existing workforce. A seasoned team that understands your existing warehouse processes, operations, and technology infrastructure can accelerate the deployment of automation solutions. On the other hand, those with limited proficiency can delay integration and increase the likelihood of setup mistakes.
Speeding up Warehouse Automation with Retrofit Solutions
Millions of companies are now waking up to the advantages of automating warehouses, from improved inventory traceability to faster sorting and picking. Thankfully, modern solutions make it easy for companies to take advantage of these benefits immediately without worrying about lengthy project timelines or a growing skills gap.
Retrofit automation solutions are easy to install, enabling organizations to leverage benefits quickly. Requiring no floor preparation, they integrate robotics within existing racking structures, so you can move products in your warehouse with the same agility as you move data.
- Modular platforms let you scale and expand automation, one aisle at a time.
- Ergonomic pick walls display several totes simultaneously, increasing throughput.
- Gamified operator consoles make the tedious picking process fun, maximizing operator productivity and reducing error rates.
- Scalable components streamline operations, speeding up order fulfillment and enhancing Customer satisfaction
- Flexible multi-tenant elements enable seamless orchestration and optimized SKU storage.
- Ergonomic design allows for fast throughput and tote presentations.
Enable Seamless Warehouse Automation with Cartesian Kinetics
Whether implementing pick-and-sort robots or intelligent sortation systems, automation can translate into excellent resource optimization, reduced errors, better space usage, and more. However, high capital expenditure, integration complexities, and specialized expertise requirements often result in anxiety and apprehension for many organizations.
Today’s automation systems can fit seamlessly into your current floors and racks with minimal or no physical modifications to your warehouse. These solutions can complement your workforce and equip them with capabilities that enhance productivity, efficiency, and throughput.
Cartesian Kinetics offers an intelligent automation solution, Carte+, that can be used for various applications. From standalone usage to recommissioned to different applications or sites as process flows evolve. Configurable, multi-tenant, and easy-to-integrate, Carte+ can retrofit into rack-supported mezzanines and high bay racks with no preparation or permit. Easy to maintain and support, it allows organizations to reap the benefits of automation quickly and confidently.
Accelerate order fulfillment with Carte+ today! Explore our solution to manage demand and maintain operational efficiency seamlessly!
