Advancements in technology have transformed the way supply chains embrace challenges. Over the past decade, warehouses have seen an extraordinary uptick in e-commerce transactions, and with it, demands for fast, accurate service. Past research has found that over half of American consumers will abandon a purchase after encouraging prolonged shipping times. Likewise, nine in ten customers actively track their orders around the clock, pressuring distributors to incorporate real-time visibility extending beyond the shipping dock. Future-forward warehouse automation systems such as RFID tracking and voice-directed picking have risen as successful solutions to accelerating accurate order fulfillment and expanding inventory control. Nevertheless, an estimated 80% of warehouses still rely on manual operations. Hesitant IT teams often cite the following reasons to delay automation:
- Lack of Long-Term Support – Implementing automation in a warehouse requires a skilled IT workforce. However, many IT teams struggle to find and retain qualified professionals to handle the modernization process.
- Preference for Legacy Systems – Many warehouses still rely on legacy systems that are not compatible with modern automation systems. This makes it challenging to upgrade warehouse technology.
- Implementation Roadblocks – Warehouse automation is a complex process that requires careful planning, implementation, and maintenance. IT teams may struggle to manage the complexity of the automation system alone, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
Despite these concerns, automated warehouse systems continue to show promise in enhancing productivity for both floor teams and IT personnel.
Exploring the Benefits of Automation for IT
After deployment, IT teams are then charged with managing new devices, sometimes in a new network infrastructure. While this may seem like a tremendous shift, warehouse automation has actually been found to empower IT teams by relieving pressures and maximizing accuracy. An intelligent warehouse automation system strengthens IT teams with:
- Scalable Infrastructure Growth – Adaptable software has become foundational to ensuring future growth. Consequently, 86% of warehouse decision-makers have planned to increase supply chain technology investment by deploying cloud computing and storage. Unlike past server rooms, cloud-based warehouse management systems (WMS) help IT teams easily scale their operations to meet the demands of peak season without requiring a massive investment in new infrastructure. Cloud-based WMS also offers real-time visibility into inventory levels, order status, and shipping information, enabling IT teams to make data-driven decisions and upgrades for priority workflows.
- Reduced Data Integration Issues – Disparate systems may use different data formats, require different protocols, or run on different platforms. This makes it difficult to move data between systems, creating more room for errors and data inconsistencies. On the other hand, automated systems leveraging mobile computing can capture and consolidate data for one-pane visibility. Moreover, robust WMS and inventory management systems (IMS) may also offer pre-built integrations that allow different systems to communicate with each other seamlessly. When paired with multi-purpose handhelds, automated data processing becomes seamless and supportive of real-time visibility.
- Automated Software Updates - Performing manual software updates can be a daunting task for IT professionals, as it is both time-consuming and prone to errors. Even a single mistake can result in system downtime, impacting business operations and productivity. An estimated 37% of IT specialists report feeling stressed as they must navigate several challenges and updates to keep systems running. As a result, intelligent operating systems and applications are now designed to deploy updates automatically within a preset schedule, thus simplifying IT workflows.
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- Automated Security Patching – Studies conducted by tech giant, IBM, found that retail organizations can take up to 10 extra days to identify a security breach. As Internet of Things (IoT) systems become commonplace in today’s warehouses, IT teams must secure multiple entry points. A manual system delays patching for warehouses employing multiple connected technologies, leaving teams vulnerable to cyberattacks. Luckily, supported operating systems such as Android for Enterprise can provide automatic silent security patch updates, removing cybersecurity burdens from your IT team.
- Streamlined Maintenance Schedules – IT teams may want to avoid automation due to a lack of experienced support; however, innovative solutions may include predictive maintenance plans to detect potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This proactive approach allows warehouse managers to address the issues before they cause any significant disruption or downtime. As a result, predictive maintenance systems help to minimize costly breakdowns and extend the lifespan of their warehouse equipment. Furthermore, an experienced solution provider should also continue to support deployed systems with careful monitoring, remote troubleshooting, and assisted reconfiguration to truly preserve a solution’s scalability over time.
- Accurate Forecasting - Automated solutions successfully capture data, but IT teams may also require assistance in dispersing and analyzing that information, especially if new technology systems are reporting more data than before. Manually analyzing data requires much time and effort to produce accurate forecasts. To tackle this challenge, artificial intelligence-powered tools have emerged as a game-changer. With their advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, these tools can effortlessly mine insights from the data, optimizing workflows and predicting maintenance needs. By utilizing these AI-powered tools, businesses can unlock valuable insights from their data and make informed decisions to enhance their operations.
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- Growth Opportunities - Automation was not intended to replace IT expertise but rather to expand it. With the advent of machines handling repetitive and mundane tasks, IT professionals can now shift their focus towards more strategic endeavors such as cybersecurity, data analysis, and seamless systems integration. This shift in focus has ushered in a new era of technological innovation, where IT experts can now leverage their expertise to drive business growth, enhance efficiencies, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Warehouse automation is a transformative technology that offers numerous benefits to businesses beyond just increasing order rates. Adaptable and intelligent, warehouse automation enables IT teams to shift from a reactive approach to proactive strategic innovation. They can focus on high-value tasks that require creativity and critical thinking, rather than spending their time on repetitive workflows. Reach out to our automation team for more information on how you can alleviate IT stress with intuitive warehouse automation solutions and explore the technologies leading the charge in future-forward supply chain automation.