2020 was undoubtedly a year of great challenges. Order delays, uncertainty, changes in consumer buying habits and new demands all combined to make order fulfillment management an extremely complicated task, especially in e-Commerce.
However, this year we find certain key trends in terms of automation technologies, which can be of great help to optimize the fulfillment processes in e-Commerce Distribution Centers, in order to ensure accurate deliveries in short times.
Do you want to know what they are? Join us!
E-Commerce fulfillment: Top trends to automate in 2021
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
Mobile robots or AMRs have been one of the most prominent technologies in Industry 4.0 to support e-Commerce order preparation tasks.
The AMRs comprise a robot system that operates under the “Good to Person” principle, so its function is to bring the products to be supplied to the consolidation stations, so that the operator can proceed with the preparation of the order.
They are controlled by software that combines artificial intelligence mechanisms, and can be complemented with Pick to Light, Put to Light technologies, among others. Its productivity can reach up to 500 lines person / hour.
Mobile Robots 3D
3D mobile robots also constitute a system of robots controlled by software that integrates artificial intelligence algorithms, but their particularity is that they have the ability to move both horizontally and vertically when anchored to storage racks.
Like AMRs, 3D mobile robots are Good to Person solutions, thus creating an extremely agile and secure environment for operators by allowing fulfillment in less than 5 minutes.
Productivity: Up to 600 lines person / hour
We recommend: Mobile 3D robots in e-Commerce applications: Save space and greater productivity
Vertical Buffer Module (VBM)
The Vertical Buffer Module is a highly efficient automatic storage solution (Good to Person) for the storage and picking of light weight and small volume items.
It allows to achieve productivity of up to 450 person / hour lines with a minimum margin of error, thanks to the use of Pick to Light technologies and its controlled access from a single tray at a time.
Sortation systems
Finally, sorters or sortation systems are one of the most recommended technologies to successfully respond to the needs for speed and precision of e-Commerce fulfillment, due to their ability to automatically classify large flows of products at a high rate per minute ( up to 400 ratings / minute).
Take advantage of this year and renew your fulfillment systems to maximize the productivity of your DC and, with it, the speed of response to your customers.
At G.I.Eicom we have these and many more specialized technologies to optimize the intralogistics processes of your Distribution Center. With more than 35 years of experience, we are the leader in product flow automation solutions.
Contact us and let us help you develop the ideal solution for your operation to highlight the performance of your DC over its competition.
