IoT Solution for Warehouse and Distribution Management

In every warehouse, supply chain management is the key for planning transport and logistics activities. Even today, most warehouses are managed by traditional methods, for storing goods; the warehouse operators manually manage everything from shipment reports (arrival and dispatch) to inventory management. They need to manually check and validate the inventory and keep paper-based records. One of the biggest challenges in the warehouse is handling a large number of materials, equipment and workers involved in supply chain operations. This is where IoT enabled smart warehouses came in.

IoT provides greater visibility into the warehouse by connection, monitoring, and management of data points from devices to the central warehouse system. Looking at the array of benefits with deploying IoT, the warehouse owners are spending more on IoT. According to Grand View Research, the global spending on IoT in warehouse management market is anticipated to reach USD 19.06 billion by 2025, increasing adoption of digital technology in the warehouse is expected to drive this growth.

 

IoT and Robotics both work with the data collected from the devices. IoRT or Internet of Robotic Things is a concept where the devices can monitor the activities, record events, fuse sensor data and perform actions using a local or distributed intelligence. The IoT connected robots can perform critical tasks in a warehouse operation

 

In a warehouse operation, a large amount of work is done manually like moving large, heavy objects, pallets, driving forklift and turret trucks but with IoT and robotics, devices can monitor the events happening, reducing accidents, decrease in operation time and cost.

 

Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AMRs)) and Automatic Mobile Robots (AMRs) are often under the umbrella of robotics. In this robotics technology – RFID sensors, scanners LiDAR, camera vision, navigation sensors these robots identify and sort each information of packages and make their own way without any huddle. Self-driving forklift robots improve workers safety. This robots work in real-time and consist of innovation like 3D cameras, scanners, warning indicators. With RFID mounting and sensor interconnectivity, these can detect products and equipment and helps with real-time mapping to store managers.

Applications of IoT in warehouse management

In order for a firm to scale successfully, management needs to adapt to increasing demand. This is why it is no longer optional to implement IoT, cloud-based management systems, and other technology. Technology plays the leading role in increasing warehouse productivity. It utilizes sensors and robots, taking several measurements and collecting data from many data points.

 

The analytical tools contribute to the efficient and productive management of the business. Now you must be wondering how all these IoTs can actually help in warehouse management so let’s take a look at what role IoT plays in warehouse management.

Asset Tracking

 

IoT’s warehouse management solution assists companies with location, transportation data, packing, and shipment in real-time. You can make sure no asset loses track thanks to instant updates. All these are also applicable to human goods. You are able to follow the personnel position in real-time and thus handle the products in a responsible manner with IoT warehouse management systems.

 

Asset Management

 

Intelligent warehouse equipment like shelf sensors and assets enable you to find and manage your inventory. You can take preventative steps in case of an emergency. If an item is out of stock, for example, you will be notified and can take action appropriately. IoT warehouse management devices also help you to transport or return a cargo since you have accurate asset data, location, condition, and more.

 

Inventory Optimization

 

Detailed data analytics can help you develop future business plans based on IoT warehouse management solutions. It monitors all actions, processes all data, even if a single product at a certain place requires more. You can forecast what is required and what does not work and then schedule your inventory. This helps you optimize your warehouse space and decrease the time needed to locate and collect your warehouses.

Applications of IoT in Warehouse management

Predictive Maintenance 

 

In addition, IoT sensors may help to monitor equipment and machines working conditions. Combination with powerful machine learning algorithms of this operational equipment data can prevent breakdowns of forklifts or other important material handling equipment. This will enable the warehouse managers to maintain optimum production and minimise maintenance costs and downtime.

 

 

Automation 

 

The internet of solutions to things can verify shipping and service tracking. This function does not need inventory managers or other experts to spend long hours manually monitoring and reporting to authorities. IoT can simply monitor all products and the results will immediately be recorded in large data units or warehouses. This automated tracking can reduce management’s possibilities of human error by saving at least 20 hours a month

 

Benefits of IoT in Warehouse

  • The first major benefits using IoT is in the form of inventory management. RFID and Bluetooth trackers keep track of inventory in real-time, including each and every action of inventory in the warehouse. If something is running low or some issue occurs on the supplier’s side that can be resolved by IoT system alert management.
  • Using IoT technology in picking and packaging can help to reduce mistakes and also prevent orders mistakes with the wrong customers. This again helps to cut theft-related in-house and in-transit losses, by keeping a close digital eye on everything in the warehouse. This is good for companies that deal with high-dollar items like electronics or ornaments.
  • With IoT connected devices operators can also continuously monitor and automatically adjust atmospheric pressure, temperature, moisture that can harm the integrity of transported goods. Hence, store managers can cut spoilage related losses and helps to increase customer satisfaction.

 

 

Wrapping up

Shoppers are implementing IoT for creating smart warehouses, improving transparency, improved last-mile delivery, predictive maintenance, real-time product tracking, and to achieve higher productivity. IoT won’t ever entirely replace a human workforce but can help in automating and giving an error-free result which helps to generate revenue.

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