Investing in a Vertical Storage System
The first myth we want to dispel is that Vertical Storage Systems has to cost tens of millions (or more)—sure, fully automated solutions that resemble a factory more than a warehouse tend to require large budgets, but entry-level solutions are available for companies of all sizes. Regardless, before you ask yourself what you can afford, you should ask yourself what it is you’re actually looking for?
Efficiency or quality?
And of course, you want both! The most common argument for automating the warehouse in the first place is the ability to reduce labor costs and minimize the risk of human error in the processes. Given that argument, the questions you need to ask yourselves are:
• In which process can we achieve the greatest efficiency gains?
• And where do our employees make the most costly mistakes?
Most importantly, when asking yourself these questions, you need to conduct your own analysis! A common pitfall when exploring automation solutions is to immediately start looking at equipment for more efficient picking, and there’s a risk that salespeople offering this type of equipment will reinforce that perception for you. In automation, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, and even if an industry faces similar challenges, your business may be unique. Perhaps it’s inventory management that’s causing problems for you, or you have incorrect product data, or the packing process is consuming your resources? Conduct a thorough analysis.
Space-saving?
In addition to efficiency and quality, the space savings offered by various Vertical Storage Systems can, on their own, justify an investment—calculating space savings also tends to be easier than predicting efficiency gains. Based on the following points, you should be able to provide an automation supplier with sufficient information to demonstrate how and whether their solution can save you space:
• What are the physical conditions of the proposed space/location? Measure the ceiling height and floor area carefully.
• Estimate your cargo volume and not your current storage capacity in terms of volume. Vertical Storage System can significantly increase fill rates and eliminate empty space in half-full racks and bins. To enable a supplier to estimate the space savings from Vertical Storage Systems, it is therefore important to report the estimated volume of goods, rather than the number or size of storage locations.
When are Vertical Lift Modules or Vertical Carousels appropriate?
In general, Vertical Storage Systems are an excellent option if you’re looking for a simple solution with low maintenance costs that can be purchased at a relatively low price.
If your warehouse contains many items that are relatively small in size, the space savings offered by Vertical Storage Systems can be as high as 70–80% compared to standard shelving. In terms of picking efficiency, it is generally said that a solution with 2–3 Vertical Storage Systems can generate 120–250 picking lines per hour per picker—by comparison, fast manual picking from shelves typically yields approx. 60–70 picking lines per hour.
A comparison
If you are comparing different types of equipment, the illustration below—designed by us at Relevator—may be helpful. Based on our experience, we have attempted to illustrate the starting price, efficiency, capacity, and mobility (i.e., whether the automation system can be disassembled and moved if necessary).
If you’d like to learn more about our experience with various automation solutions, please feel free to contact us. As for Vertical Lift Module and Vertical Carousel We can also help you find the right equipment from our own product range. Please use the contact form below, or give us a call!
