Swisslog, a leading player in the intralogistics market, has launched a standardised “off-the-shelf” version of its AutoStore roboticised storage and order processing solution in Australia and New Zealand.
Autostore is a high-density cube-based automation solution that leverages robots and bins to quickly process small parts orders. The solution is designed to help manufacturers maximise the use of available warehouse space by allowing the direct stacking of bins on top of each other and multiple SKUs in a single bin.
Ken Chen, business development manager at Swisslog, said small to medium enterprises (SMEs) seek to increase storage density and maximise the efficiency of their picking and put-away processes as the prices of labour and commercial real estate rise.
The standardised off-the-shelf solution from Swisslog can be easily deployed into a running supply chain, with only minor adaptations, where it can greatly improve logistic capacity and enable further market potential.
“The standardised model was replicated from Europe, where it has seen great success across a range of industries. Australian companies have been quick to take up the technology, where they have been seeing immediate benefits. They’ve recognised our experience in implementing these types of standard systems,” Chen said.
In a media release, Swisslog said AutoStore solutions implemented by its experienced automation engineers can typically deliver the same throughput with a 60 per cent reduction in warehouse space.
The system also integrates with Swisslog’s SynQ software, which will allow it to naturally learn which products have a higher rotation so they can be automatically stored on the top layer to deliver faster picking times.
“The grid-like structure of AutoStore makes it simple to fit around any existing warehouse space, even around structural columns, different floor heights, or other spatial irregularities. Swisslog works with each customer to deliver the optimal outcome to their warehouse configuration,” Chen said.
“For SMEs, this means they can respond quickly to market changes, and can choose to automate particular product lines or sections of their warehouse that need to scale up.”
