Automation Dilemma

Companies should not be frightened about automation.  They should not be put off purely by fears of inflexibility or risk.  But when should you automate?

It can sometimes be quite marginal, you have to look carefully at the volumes and growth forecast.  It might be better to look at a more manual operation.  Automation can be used to solve particular issues rather than for everything.

When choosing the particular solution to use it is all about understanding what the business needs.  And there are some big business benefits when it is the right answer.

You need good planning, project management and planned test programmes.  You also need a real team including client, advisers and suppliers.  What is also vital - and underrated - is the importance of getting operations teams involved early on.

Finally, to have a successful automated warehouse you must learn how to use it.  An automated warehouse is a machine which needs to be understood.