Implementing automation solutions can sound intimidating, especially if this is your first experience with material handling. There are many things to consider before starting your project, so we decided to break it down for you. Below is an outline of the most important things that should be determined as you start your new material handling project.
Evaluate your current performance and determine what improvements you want to make.
The first place to start is identifying what you want to change in your current facility. Are your operations slow and not allowing you to keep up with the demand? Or, maybe you want to shift task allocations in your workforce to be able to take hard labor off your workers and allow them to spend their time elsewhere.
Whatever it is, it’s important that this is identified from the beginning so that you can find a long-term material handling solution. From conveyors to pick modules, knowing what you need to change will better isolate what automation solution will best benefit your facility.
Discuss your future changes with your workforce.
Talk to your workers to figure out what system would work best with them. It’s important that you and your team are on the same page, so that a change in operations can be implemented smoothly. If your automation solution needs supervision, ensure that one of your workers will be willing to learn the operation and take on this task.
Another thing to discuss with the team is how this will impact your company long term. It’s important to explain to workers the long-term benefit and ensure them that this automation system is not replacing their job. Rather, it will allow them to focus their efforts elsewhere, potentially taking physically draining tasks off their plate.
Assess your inventory.
The items that you are moving, unpacking, packing, transporting, etc., will greatly determine what kind of automation solution you need. If you have a large variety of inventory versus one product, that will affect the type of material handling solution you need to work best for your operations. Depending on the size and the shape of the inventory, the solution may vary. For example, a palletizer may be better than collaborative robots based on your inventory needs.
Determine the physical location of where your automation solution will be installed.
Depending on your current available space, it’s important that this new system is installed in an optimal location to make the biggest difference in your facility. If you need to rearrange your setup to better implement automation, our team at ISS Material Handling is happy to help. Especially if you are considering a conveyor that may take up more space or robots that needs to take a certain path, it’s important this placement won’t cause any slowdowns.
Consult with an expert.
It’s important to talk to someone who has experience with automation before beginning this process. There are many different factors to consider, so it’s always a good idea to fully understand how an automation solution will affect your operations. Our team at ISS Material Handling is here to help you determine how to implement automation. Be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions or want to begin looking into a material handling solution.
A material handling solution can make a huge difference in your day-to-day operations and long-term capabilities. If you’re thinking about starting an automation project or already know you want to implement one, make sure you go through all of these steps and consider different factors that will affect this decision.
About the Author
John Fontaine
Automation Sales Lead
After a 9 year career as an officer in the US Navy Submarine Force, John developed vital experience in the advanced manufacturing and unmanned systems with business development roles at two major defense contractors. In directing the growth of ISS Material Shelving, a division of Industrial Shelving Systems, John’s mission is clear: to remain thoroughly customer-focused, ensuring that businesses who partner with ISS Material Handling seize the right opportunities for automation adoption, fueling responsible growth amidst challenging economic circumstances. When not in the office, John enjoys all things music, cooking, and fitness.