Logistics News: Companies Looking to Automate Their DC Operations Are Well Advised To First Do The Homework

Once a company has decided that the time has come to automate, before reaching for the phone to call a vendor or systems integrator first do the homework - determine what the specific objectives are and how much capital the company is willing or able to invest.

There are many good reasons for a company to consider a DC automation project. Most companies are looking to become more efficient while improving customer service. Productivity, throughput, and escalating labor cost are ongoing concerns while the need to reduce order processing time may be critical to growing the business, especially if launching an eCommerce initiative is contemplated. With an aging workforce there maybe ergonomic and/or safety related issues. Automation may also be driven by the desire to delay facility expansion or relocation to a new facility.

Another driver for DC automation...