Warehouse and Fulfillment Automation

Advanced Solutions for Logistics, Warehouse and Fulfillment Centers

Futuristic Technology Retail Warehouse: Worker Doing Inventory Walks when Digitalization Process Analyzes Goods, Cardboard Boxes, Products with Delivery Infographics in Logistics, Distribution Center

Warehousing and Logistics Automation Software and Hardware Solutions

Keep operations moving amid skills shortages and handle a wider range of goods than ever before with automated warehouse systems

Advanced warehouse automation and information solutions continue to transform the way we approach warehousing, supply chain and logistics. From forecasting and inventory replenishment, to visibility and end-to-end traceability, today’s smart systems are designed to improve and accelerate the way companies move goods.

The efficiency and reliability of material handling systems often determine the productivity and profitability of a warehouse and fulfillment center. We can work with you to design and deliver automated warehouse and logistics solutions with the future, and today, in mind.

Traditional material handling can’t keep up

Many systems are not designed to handle today’s consumer demand
New packaging sizes and shapes create bottlenecks in sortation and inefficiencies in gapping and singulation
Fixed systems create limitations for expandability and reconfiguration of workflow
Required modifications to traditional systems can create cost and operational risk

Inside the Modern Warehouse

Image of a logistic warehouse. Interior of a factory storage room with goods on large shelves.

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Inside the Modern Warehouse

The modern warehouse must be able to adapt not only to today’s challenges, but to tomorrow’s as well. Discover two key focus areas to consider as you modernize warehouse operations.

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Take your Warehouse to the Next Level

Explore our Warehouse and Fulfillment interactive and learn how you can elevate your approach to warehousing, supply chain and logistics.

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Modern Logistics, Warehouse and Fulfillment

When you implement agile automated warehouse solutions, you can respond faster to changing demand.

We have the industry expertise, technologies and partnerships to help you get started.

Flexible, without sacrificing productivityTackle more SKUs and personalization with high-speed sortation, dynamic gapping, and built-in track and trace.

Machine drawn on a piece of paper with a pencil

Virtualized development, optimized designWith digital simulation and validation, decision-making speed and confidence increases, and risk decreases.

Hierarchy displaying storyboard outlined in white

Expandable, modular and self-optimizingSolve today’s challenges and meet future needs with easy to modify design, intelligent systems and optimized use of space.

Facility Design and Optimization

Bring your equipment and operations to life with dynamic digital twin software

Need to manage increased volumes in your current footprint? Or understand the impact of changes to layout or workforce? Call a digital twin into action and create more efficient, effective equipment and facilities with Emulate3D™ digital engineering software.

With a digital twin, you can:

Reduce risk by designing, experimenting and validating your material handling system before investing in physical assets
Speed time-to-market by running simulations to diagnose and remedy late-stage issues before on site commissioning
And transport plant personnel to a virtual world where they can train on systems without consequence, simulate line changes and gain real world insights into end-to-end workflows

Better Warehouse Systems Start with Emulation

Male worker in warehouse reviewing Emulate3D simulation on laptop screen.

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Better Warehouse Systems Start with Emulation

With simulation and emulation, warehouse operators and their suppliers can mitigate risk, boost innovation and optimize a complex and dynamic process.

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Rockwell Automation Brings Better Outcomes to Warehousing and Material Handling

50%

Less packing stations with independent cart fulfillment

30%

Reduced programming with unified robotic control

4 days

On-site commissioning, down from 3 weeks with digital design & simulation

50%

Increased production rates with irregular goods automation

Modernize Your Operation with Intelligent Conveyance and Integrated Robotics

Make order out of chaos with independent cart technology (ICT)

ICT is a new approach to linear motors, using magnets to precisely control motion with frictionless propulsion. This solution increases throughput, reduces energy use and supports multiple carrier types. In addition, it enables:

Flexible singulation and gapping, optimizing the distance of different sized and shaped packages for maximum efficiency
High-speed fulfillment to deliver flexible, high-density sortation with built-in anti-collision safeguards and smart carriers
Tracking and tracing of each item independently throughout the entire system for individual routing and handling
Irregular goods automation to accommodate highly variable products and effectively move them through a facility

Learn more about Independent Cart Technology

Achieve faster, safer connected robots with unified control

By connecting traditionally separate machine and robot controls, or unifying them into one system, you can create robot applications that streamline warehouse and logistics processes.

With robot, safety and other mechanisms integrated into the same control system, there is easier access to robust system data, and high adaptability to different package requirements and changes in consumer demands.

Additionally, with a single system, you eliminate the need for dedicated robot controllers and programming environments. Resulting in:

Faster and easier programming
Simplified system maintenance
Improved worker productivity

Explore our Industrial Robot Automation solutions

What You Need to Know about Warehouse Automation

What is Warehouse Automation?

Warehouse automation refers to the process of automating the movement of inventory into, throughout, and out of warehouses with minimal human interference. This includes automating repetitive and time-consuming processes such as labor-intensive duties and data entry.

Warehouse automation can include automated warehouse systems, such as autonomous robots, moving inventory throughout a warehouse as needed. For example, this could include an automated warehouse picking system selecting the correct inventory to fulfill an order followed by an autonomous guided vehicle moving the inventory into the shipping zone, where it is ready to be delivered to the customer.

However, warehouse automation does not necessarily always include advanced robotics moving and storing inventory. It can also entail warehouse automation software robots updating inventory records as products move throughout the warehouse. Despite covering different levels of automation, in both instances, daily processes are performed more efficiently, faster, and with greater accuracy when buoyed by automation.

Automated warehouse solutions are applicable to a range of different warehouses and functions. Warehouse automation includes:

Fulfillment automation
Logistics automation software
Automated distribution centers

How Does Warehouse Automation Work?

Warehouse automation uses multiple advanced technologies including robotics, sensors, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently move and store inventory.

While more advanced automated warehouse systems might physically move inventory with robotics, simply automating repetitive tasks within an existing inventory management system helps to ensure operational processes are being fulfilled as needed.

Benefits of Warehouse Automation

Warehouse automation comes with a wide range of benefits, from increasing operational efficiency to lessening human error. Some of the key benefits of warehouse automation include:

Optimized throughput
Optimal resource utilization
Competitive operational costs
Minimized human error
Better inventory control
Improved order fulfillment
Reduced shipping errors

Levels of Warehouse Automation

As mentioned, warehouse automation can be implemented at different levels, from basic automation solutions to more involved robotics. The four levels of warehouse automation include:

Basic Warehouse Automation – the first level of warehouse automation includes the adoption of simple technologies to lessen manual labor, such as conveyor belts that can move inventory throughout the warehouse.
Warehouse System Automation – the next level of warehouse automation includes the adoption of warehouse automation software to optimize systems through AI and ML, including warehouse management and supply chain management systems.
Mechanized Warehouse Automation – this level of warehouse automation includes the use of robotics to assist human employees with tasks like loading and picking inventory.
Advanced Warehouse Automation – the most advanced level of warehouse automation combines automated warehouse software with physical robotics for a singular harmonious system, in which automated solutions enhance every level of operations.

Types of Warehouse Automation

As you can see, there are many different ways in which automation can be implemented into warehouse operations. Some common warehouse automation technologies include:

Goods-to-persons
Automated storage and retrieval
Automatic guided vehicles
Pick-to-light and put-to-light systems
Automated sorting systems
Autonomous mobile robots

Ready to talk to a Rockwell Automation consultant?

We offer industry expertise to help design, implement and support your automation investment.

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