The storage, handling, and distribution of commodities have all undergone a radical transformation due to the rise of 3PL logistics businesses that are integrating technology within warehousing and fulfilment. These businesses use various technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, machine learning, and data analytics to improve supply chain management and streamline e-commerce logistics.
Learn more about how technology is transforming every warehouse and fulfilment process throughout India by reading this blog until the very end.
Impact of Technology on Warehouse and Fulfilment Processes
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances, and other objects embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity capabilities that enable them to collect and exchange data. Essentially, IoT connects everyday objects to the internet, allowing them to communicate with each other and with users.
Organisations now have more insight into every aspect of the warehouse and fulfilment processes, from receiving to shipping, thanks to this new wave of linked devices.
Predictive analytics and intelligence
Business intelligence is a technology that gathers, examines, and provides collected data in a condensed and easy manner. Decision-makers may now easily grasp necessary data and make quick judgements based on accurate information. Predictive analytics, on the other hand, is a field of technology that makes use of a variety of methods, including statistics, data mining, predictive modelling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, to identify patterns and trends in existing data and forecast potential outcomes.
These technologies can assist in the analysis derived from the data gathered by warehouses and fulfilment processes. Based on information gathered from warehouse operations, intelligence generates aggregated reports and a real-time dashboard. On the other hand, predictive analytics may, within a certain degree of tolerance, anticipate warehouse performance using previous and current data.
Automation and Robotics
Engineering and science combine to produce the multidisciplinary field of robotics, which is concerned with the creation, maintenance, and use of robots that may be programmed to carry out manual tasks in a warehouse. Contrarily, warehouse automation refers to the integration of technology within the basic functioning of warehouse operations with little or no human involvement.
Robotics and automation are essential tools to assist and streamline operations within the warehouse. They can replace humans in monotonous jobs, resulting in more reliable, accurate, and consistent warehouse and fulfilment processes. As the boring and repetitive duties are outsourced to the robots, it can also increase employee engagement and retention rates.
AGVs, or Automated Guided Vehicles
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are robotic vehicles that are designed to autonomously navigate and transport materials or goods within a predefined area such as a warehouse, factory, or distribution centre. AGVs are equipped with various sensors, onboard computers, and navigation systems that allow them to operate without the need for human intervention or guidance.
AGV-equipped warehouses are substantially more productive than conventional warehouses because they can partially automate tedious and time-consuming jobs and procedures. AGVs can run 24/7 and on-demand at a constant pace and precision in addition to semi-automating warehouse and fulfilment processes.
Wearable and mobile technologies
Small computing devices that may be worn or carried by a person to transmit and receive information anywhere in the warehouse effortlessly are referred to as mobile and wearable technologies. Picking, packaging, loading, and other warehouse operations can all benefit from the usage of these technologies. Wearable technologies provide access to real-time data from anywhere that enables warehouse workers to act more swiftly when making business choices.
Blockchain
Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger system that permanently and verifiably stores and connects blocks of transaction data from relevant parties. Since each party has access to the same database of transactions, the technology is distributed rather than centralised. This technology is a preferred platform to safeguard data, promote accountability, and make information easily available in a warehouse.
Artificial Intelligence
A technology known as Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables robots to carry out human-like functions including decision-making, speech recognition, spatial awareness, and visual perception. AI uses statistical models and machine learning algorithms to handle enormous volumes of data to do this.
Shipping aggregators like NimbusPost leverage cutting-edge technology like AI and machine learning to provide shipping and logistics services to several e-commerce brands. With a skilled team of 500+ highly qualified engineers and logistics specialists, the firm records more than 2 million transactions daily. It has associated itself with various eCommerce logistics companies and leverages the most innovative technology to provide top-notch customer service.
Conclusion
The aforementioned warehouse technologies are assisting warehouses in being more productive, economical, and efficient. You may better meet the growing demands brought on by eCommerce and better serve your consumers by adopting and integrating them into your warehouse operations.
Moving warehouses away from relying heavily on expensive human labour and towards a more automated and technologically focused operation is becoming more and more important, especially now that the market is shifting to e-commerce platforms that are accessible 24/7.
