Optimize Your Brownfield Warehouse

Factors to consider in choosing an AS/RS solution for a brownfield facility

Evaluate horizontal and vertical opportunities: Warehouse capacity can be viewed in two ways: floor space and airspace. AS/RS solutions inherently minimize the storage footprint on the floor while maximizing capacity vertically. Recognizing your facility’s air and floor space, as well as any limitations, can help determine the most suitable solution for your needs.

Infrastructure check: Before engaging with a supply chain partner like FORTNA, it is essential to examine and assess the current state of your facility, focusing not only on structural aspects but also on network and software stability and connectivity. Implementing a new AS/RS solution will place new demands and stress on an operation’s network.

Future scalability and flexibility: When selecting an AS/RS solution, consider how it will address your operation’s current challenges, including capacity, labor costs, throughput and accuracy. Incorporating your organization’s future needs is also necessary, as you’ll require a solution that can quickly scale and remain flexible to respond to growth or disruptions.

Regulatory compliance in your area: A key step in selecting the right AS/RS for your operation is to be informed about local, county and state regulations regarding automated warehouse systems. Fire suppression, safety regulations and energy usage are all factors that can affect the integration and operation of an AS/RS system.

Change management: Planning and managing how your workforce’s roles and tasks will change when the new AS/RS goes live is crucial. There is a natural resistance to any change, but being transparent and thoroughly training your team can facilitate smoother adoption.

Integration with current assets: Working with a supply chain partner can significantly alleviate the stress associated with integrating your systems and software. It can be a delicate and complex process; however, working with a partner like FORTNA, which has previously integrated automated solutions in a brownfield warehouse, can make it seamless.

Cost and return on investment (ROI): Cost and ROI are vital as they serve as key metrics that stakeholders and executives utilize when making their purchasing decisions. Comprehending these concepts in relation to your specific organization and operations can facilitate successful integration. Other important metrics to consider include total cost of ownership, labor cost savings, cost per order, warehouse utilization, inventory turnover, and order cycle time.