Warehouse Automation for Faster, More Efficient Picking and Shipping
After a recent acquisition, our Fortune 500 client was left struggling to maintain its operational efficiency. With a number of new, fast-moving products to process in its distribution centers, they could no longer rely on manual processes for picking and shipping. Instead, they needed an automation solution to get the inventory out the door faster.
Results
- Increased By 3x Picking Efficiency
- Increased By 2x Storage Capacity
- Hit 99.99% Picking Accuracy
- Increased By 99.99% On-time Delivery Rates
01 The Company
Our Fortune 500 client is a world leader in electrical, communications, utility distribution, and supply chain services.
They operate in more than 50 countries, employ more than 18k workers, have nearly 1.5 million products, and service approximately 150,000 customers worldwide.
02 The Challenge
After a recent acquisition, our client was struggling to maintain its level of operational efficiency. They had a variety of new materials to process, and needed a faster way to get them out the door.
These products, mostly security cameras and smaller lightweight items, were very easy to move. However, they took time to manually process and move around the warehouse. Our client needed a system that would increase the speed at which they’re picked and shipped.
Additionally, the host WMS needed visibility of all inventory at different stages of the automation lifecycle. They needed APIs to be built in to give them real-time visibility and to be able to interact with inventory along the way.
03 Contextant’s Challenge
Our client embarked on its first warehouse automation project. They brought in voice technologies, smart conveyors, diverters, and scanners into one of its largest distribution centers of over 500,000 square feet.
The goal was to put all of the fast-moving inventory into a module that was surrounded by a smart conveyor. As the totes of inventory were rolling on the conveyor, scanners at select locations would scan the barcodes and diverters would push the inventory in the direction of warehouse associates.
This would limit walking distances and, in conjunction with voice headsets, allow associates to perform more picks per minute with both hands free. The voice picking increased accuracy as the associates had to confirm picks.
Contextant developed all integrations and APIs to communicate with their existing in-house, custom WMS. These integrations provided complete visibility into the locations of inventory at all times.