With the rise of novel automated systems in the material handling industry over the past few years, it is quite evident how a new breed of technological developments is altering the way the industry operates on a regular basis. There has been a rise in a new wave of robotics and autonomous vehicles streamlining factory operations. It is quite likely that the demand for more automated equipment that makes order processing faster or easier will only increase with time.
At the same time, the Internet of Things (IoT) is profoundly impacting materials handling, just as it is in homes and offices. By authorizing machines to communicate with little to no human intervention, IoT is aggregating all the disparate systems and equipment—conveyors, robots, automated storage and retrieval systems, automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), forklifts, battery charging stations, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The objective is to tightly couple them with warehouse control, labor, transportation, order, and customer management systems to track various products inside the warehouse through one connected, accessible system. This connectivity is allowing supply chain and warehouse managers to reach new levels of workflow optimization, operational efficiency, and predictability, all while providing real-time visibility into operations. Meanwhile, mobile technology is also speedily penetrating the business realm of the material handling industry. It is evident in the way tablets are being included in warehouses and distribution centers by managers and even technicians who are using them for fast, convenient access to information on troubleshooting, repairs, and work orders.
As material handling is undergoing massive digital transformation because of technological upgradations, numerous innovative material handling solution providers are becoming the driving force of the industry’s unprecedented growth. On that note, we hope this edition will enable you to find the right material handling solution provider that will help you stay at the forefront of innovation—and offer greater visibility and control over supply chain operations.
Let us know your thoughts!
