In modern supply chains, warehouse automation becomes an innovative approach that can ensure accuracy and traceability. This automation operates using specialised software and data systems to simplify warehouse operations.
Considering this innovative approach for industries with strict traceability can be hugely impactful. But, you need to initially find out the key technologies empowering the process. This article provides essential insights on the topic. Let’s explore further!
Modern Challenges in Warehouse Operations
Many factors have contributed to the complexity of warehouse operation, such as technology evolution and consumers’ demands. But, how do these factors serve as challenges for businesses and manufacturers? See the whole explanation below.
Consumers’ Growing Expectations
In the era of digital platforms and e-commerce, consumers expect faster and reliable service across businesses. These increasing demands pressure warehouse departments to process everything quickly from preparation to order shipment.
In particular, the rise in product returns adds further challenges that require warehouses to manage logistics more efficiently. Failing to meet all of consumers’ expectations will significantly lower consumers’ trust and loyalty.
Inaccuracy Inventory Management
Accurate inventory management is the key aspect of supply chain efficiency, butInventory inaccuracies remain a common issue. This issue is sometimes caused by human errors or mismatched systems.
That’s why it becomes fundamental for manufacturers to enhance the system into warehouse automation to support accurate and real-time visibility.
Integration of Automation
While automation offers significant benefits, many businesses still struggle with integration.
Only with careful planning and training, the systems can be integrated easily and thus making it easier for businesses to fully embrace automated warehousing.
Why Warehouse Automation is the Future
Automation in the warehouse system is considered to be the future of the supply chain because it can address crucial challenges such as inaccurate inventory. It also provides reliable solutions that include:
Minimize Human Error
The use of technology like barcodes and smart sensors reduces human intervention in certain repetitive tasks, significantly minimizing errors from preparing, packing, to shipping items.
The technology ensures the right product is shipped to the right consumers, promoting accuracy and satisfaction.
Resolve Efficiency Problems
Automated sorting systems in warehouses generally work 24/7 non stop, without exhaustion and fatigue. This technology is especially beneficial in e-commerce, where speed and precision are paramount.
Enable Better Inventory Management
Using automated systems, businesses can track inventory in real-time, leading to better control and enhanced forecasting. Effective management is essential to meet consumer demand, particularly in ensuring product availability.
Support Long-Term Profitability
Automated systems tend to offer high initial investment, but the long-term profitability is also significantly high.
Over time, the incorporation of automation to warehouses reduce product damage, lower manual labour needs, and increase yield. All of them contribute to long-term savings, that’s why it promotes better ROI.
Key Technologies Powering Warehouse Automation
Thermal inkjet, WMS, vision systems, and automated sorting these technologies collectively support efficient, accurate, and traceable warehouse operation, enabling businesses to embrace automation as a future necessity.
Machine-Readable Code Printing with TIJ
TIJ or thermal inkjet printers are mostly employed by manufacturers to produce high-resolution codes on packaging. It operates by heating elements to eject ink, producing highly precise codes.
The technology has an essential role in automated warehouse, especially for:
- Labelling with scannable codes
- On-demand information
Many industries with strict traceability, like pharmaceuticals, also use this technology for regulatory compliance. It’s a totally outstanding choice for clean operation and seamless integration.
Integration with WMS for Seamless Tracking
WMS or Warehouse Management System is a platform that manages all of warehouse operations. Integrating WMS into warehouse automation means connecting the platforms into more various automated systems.
This integration enables WMS to communicate in real time with automated tools, eliminating manual paperwork and data entry.
Data Capture and Monitoring with Vision Systems
Vision systems are equipped with cameras and AI software that can capture items’ information even if it’s moving. With this capability, vision systems become a great choice to inspect products automatically and are very useful for quality control.
It reduces dependency on manual quality control, so damaged products or incorrect labels can be efficiently handled.
Error Reduction and Sorting Automation
Automated sorting in warehouse operations means employing an automated system to organize products based on specific criteria.. Integrating this system with WMS or labelling system ensures all products are verified before being sorted.
This system can also detect errors in products using barcodes and vision, then automatically send them for revision. Bottom line, the system offers advantages in reducing incorrect sorting and even shipments.
Read About: From Factory Floor to Store Shelf: The Journey of Batch Code Products
The Role of Thermal Inkjet Printers in Warehouse Automation
Thermal inkjet printers are the ultimate factors supporting seamless warehouse operation. TIJ has important roles that make it suitable for the following purposes:
Product Identification
TIJ has been long used for applying unique identifiers on various types of packaging. These unique identifiers link the physical products to Warehouse Management System (WMS), inventory control systems, and shipping platforms.
As unique identifiers, TIJ also has major roles in:
- Printing QR codes and barcodes for product scanning.
- Printing product’s labels, including batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and expiration dates.
- Printing shipping labels for different destinations.
Real-Time Traceability
By printing readable unique identifiers, TIJ enables real-time traceability throughout the warehouse. For example, the process may start when products arrive at the receiving dock. Then, the products get a unique label using TIJ printers.
Each movement can be easily tracked using scan codes. This is crucial for quality control, standards compliance, and inventory visibility.
Easy Integration with Automation Systems
TIJ has a great adaptability to be integrated with automated systems. With quick integration, TIJ supports variable printing or on-demand. This allows for automated label generation, supporting more seamless workflows.
DSI Solutions for Smart Warehousing
Bring your warehouse operation into the next level with DSI’s thermal inkjet printers. Our TIJ solutions are specifically designed for high-speed and high-performance production lines, easy to integrate to your warehouse automation systems.
From real-time product identification, traceability, regulatory compliance, and sustainability—everything you need is already in store.
Let us turn your simple printing process into more powerful and smarter operations—see a complete list of thermal inkjet printers here.
References
https://www.gs1.org/standards/barcodes
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1292589/warehouse-automation-market-size-worldwide/
