The Efficiency Power of AutoStore Systems

Jason Blackney | 23 October 2024

Transforming Warehouse Automation with Space-Saving, High-Throughput Solutions

When It’s Time for Warehouse Efficiency

Is your warehouse struggling with inefficiencies, space constraints or the need for faster fulfillment? The AutoStore system, an innovative goods-to-person storage solution, is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. With its unique cube storage design and robotic automation, AutoStore offers configurability, flexibility, and efficiency for modern warehouses. AutoStore is an excellent solution for companies that need to maximize the storage space within their facility.  Partnering with a skilled integrator like Bastian Solutions ensures seamless implementation and optimization of the AutoStore system, revolutionizing your warehouse operations.

What is a Goods-to-Person System

A goods-to-person system is an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) where products are delivered directly to the operator, minimizing the need for workers to travel through the warehouse to pick items. This method significantly increases efficiency, reduces labor costs and enhances accuracy in order fulfillment.

Factors such as space utilization, scalability, throughput and reliability must be considered when evaluating a goods-to-person system. AutoStore excels in these areas with its compact cube storage design, seamless scalability, high throughput and robust performance. AutoStore's flexibility allows it to adapt to various warehouse layouts and operational demands, making it a superior choice in the market.

Who: Introduction to AutoStore System

With its advanced design, AutoStore optimizes space and boosts operational efficiency. Bins are stacked vertically within a dense aluminum grid and retrieved by robots traveling on the grid's top layer. This versatile design allows the grid to be placed around columns, on mezzanines, and across multiple levels. Additionally, AutoStore's modular system allows for easy and quick scalability by adding robots or bins without causing any operational downtime.

The speed, accuracy, and ergonomic design of AutoStore significantly enhance customer experiences, making it ideal for fast-paced e-commerce facilities and omnichannel or 3PL operations handling various SKUs and fulfillment methods. Bastian Solutions’ experts can help tailor the perfect AutoStore system for your needs, considering your industry, operational size, and projected growth. Combined with Exacta intralogistics software and other advanced picking and conveying solutions, AutoStore can support a fully automated order fulfillment process.

How the AutoStore System Works

The AutoStore system consists of a structural grid, delivery robots, storage bins and operator ports. When a product is needed, the system's software alerts a robot to locate the bin. If the bin is buried beneath others, the robot stages the extra bins on the top layer until it accesses the desired bin. This bin is delivered to the operator while another robot restacks the staged bins. The system self-profiles, moving faster-moving products to the top and slower-moving ones to the bottom, optimizing efficiency.

Why: Benefits of AutoStore

From maximizing space utilization to ensuring reliable and efficient performance, AutoStore addresses critical challenges in modern warehousing. Here are some of the standout benefits that make AutoStore an industry leader in goods-to-person systems:

High-Throughput and Performance

The system delivers high performance and speed, making it suitable for distribution, manufacturing environments and ecommerce order fulfillment.

Space Savings

AutoStore maximizes storage density, offering 40-60% more storage per square foot compared to traditional systems. This makes it an ideal solution for facilities with limited space.

Flexibility and Scalability

AutoStore’s design allows it to fit in odd-shaped buildings and those with low ceilings. Its modular nature ensures easy expansion to accommodate future growth with minimal disruption to operations. Three bin sizes are available to accommodate a variety of products – 220mm, 330mm and 425mm.

Reliability and Efficiency

AutoStore reduces single point of failure issues and boasts extremely low power consumption, resulting in significant labor and energy cost savings.

Improved Inventory Accuracy

The self-profiling feature of AutoStore enhances inventory accuracy, ensuring that fast-moving items are readily accessible and slower-moving items are efficiently stored. This solution has up to 50% more effective picking compared to traditional, manual picking methods.

Where: Ideal Applications for AutoStore

Material handling automation is evolving to meet the diverse needs of both traditional and emerging applications. AutoStore stands out by providing innovative solutions that cater to a wide array of industries. Its adaptability optimizes efficiency in conventional settings like distribution centers and manufacturing facilities and excels in modern environments such as e-commerce fulfillment and specialized storage conditions. By seamlessly integrating into various applications, AutoStore enhances productivity, reduces operational costs, and supports growth in dynamic markets. Here are some of the ideal applications for the AutoStore system:

• Distribution centers
• Manufacturing facilities
• E-commerce order fulfillment
• Cooler or refrigerator environments
• Pharmaceutical storage
• Retail backrooms
• Urban micro-fulfillment centers

North America’s Premier AutoStore Integrator

Bastian Solutions is a premier material handling automation solutions integrator with extensive experience implementing AutoStore systems. Our team can help you evaluate and select the most appropriate technology. Contact us today or visit our AutoStore page for more information.

Author: Jason Blackney