The Growing Demand for Purpose-Build Intralogistics Solutions

One-size-fits-all solutions and taking a cookie-cutter approach are no longer viable when incorporating automation into any workplace environment. It's mainly because these standard automation systems tend to only provide general solutions and aren't designed to meet the unique needs and challenges that most businesses face. It underscores the need for more purpose-build automated solutions that can meet unique workflows and more demanding storage requirements.

Unlike general solutions, custom-engineered intralogistics solutions are designed to meet any company's unique challenges to streamline processes and improve overall efficiency. They can also accommodate niche requirements and adapt easily to changing demands or industry shifts.

In this post, we'll further discuss why general automation solutions aren't good enough any longer, how purpose-build solutions can lead to new competitive advantages and some of the solutions to consider implementing in your workplace. Read on to learn more or contact Daifuku for more information today.

Key Benefits of Custom Intralogistics Solutions

As we said in the opening, bespoke intralogistics solutions are designed to case-specific to a company's unique needs to truly streamline profitability and improve overall efficiency. Some of the key benefits of integrating solutions that truly dial in to your company's structure include improved processes and better overall productivity, faster production cycles and cost savings.

For instance, compared to general automation solutions that take a cookie-cutter approach, purpose-build solutions are designed to specifically address inefficiencies and improve processes. This can eliminate bottlenecks and pain points in workflows and improve speed and productivity without sacrificing quality. Other key benefits of custom-engineered intralogistics solutions include the ability to more easily scale, integration with other systems and future adaptability.

Bespoke intralogistics solutions can also lead to cost savings. By having more control over various processes on the shop floor, errors are minimized, there's less waste and resources are optimized — all of which have the potential to result in significant cost savings. Standard automation solutions are unable to adapt and adjust to every scenario that workplaces have to account for today, which can limit how effective they are in the long term. Cost savings can also be realized through lower labor costs.

Finally, another benefit of integrating purpose-build automated solutions is improved overall quality and service. Custom-engineered automation doesn't cut corners and delivers consistency across all operations and products, an especially important factor for companies whose reputation depends on precision and accuracy. Improvements in quality directly translate into improved customer satisfaction, which can thereby translate into customer loyalty and longer, healthier and more profitable relationships.

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Automated Intralogistics Solutions

Now that we've covered some of the key benefits of purpose-build automated intralogistics solutions, let's explore some of the solutions that may make sense for you to integrate into your operations. Here's a closer look at the solutions that can make a difference in your workplace:

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

AMRs use a combination of sensors, cameras and AI to navigate and transport materials throughout a facility, helping improve safety and enhance productivity on the warehouse floor. What's nice about AMRs is that they can be purpose-build to follow a pre-defined path (and reprogrammed as needs change) and can also autonomously adapt to any given environment while avoiding obstacles and other hazards.

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs are similar to AMRs in that they're driverless robots designed to transport goods and products on the shop floor, with one major exception: they tend to only follow a pre-defined path rather than operate autonomously. However, AGVs are still purpose-build in the sense that their paths can be reprogrammed as needs in the warehouse change over time. AGVs are available in various formats, such as carts, forklifts and taggers, and — like AMRs — can help improve safety and efficiency when moving product throughout the facility.

Mini Load Storage Systems

Mini load storage systems work to automate product storage and retrieval in the warehouse, replacing manual picking, which can be tedious and labor-intensive. These scalable, future-proof systems optimize storage space both vertically and horizontally and are highly scalable. They use a combination of robotics, shelving aisles and racking systems to seamlessly store and pick materials, with everything controlled via the Warehouse Management System (WMS). Contact us today to learn more about which mini load storage system is right for your warehouse.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/SRs) help automate the storage and retrieval of goods in the warehouse. Similar to mini load storage systems, AS/SRs can help optimize space in the warehouse, which tends to be at a premium in most workplace environments. Such systems are also scalable, safe and can help improve productivity.

Contact Daifuku Today

For more information on purpose-build intralogistics solutions and which ones can make a difference in your operations, contact Daifuku today. As a world leader in automated material handling solutions, we design and manufacture custom solutions to help take your business to new heights.

Contact us today to learn more and to experience the benefits of cost savings, operational efficiency and improved supply chain performance when you incorporate such solutions into your workplace.

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