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Automated Storage and Retrival System
What is AS/RS?
Automated storage and retrieval systems—often referred to as AS/RS,
but sometimes also AS-RS or ASRS—are a kind of warehouse technology
wherein goods are automatically brought out of, and placed back
into, storage. This is typically achieved by pairing the technology
with Warehouse Management System(WMS) that manages the process
and helps warehouse personnel process orders.
AS/RS brings with it a number of advantages that help you make your
warehouse or order fulfillment operation more efficient, but
perhaps the largest is the fact that it allows you to more smartly
allocate personnel to higher-value tasks. By automating
labor-intensive and repetitive tasks—such as product retrieval and
replenishing, for example—with an AS/RS, those labor hours can now
be reallocated to other important areas of your business.
Types of AS/RS Technology
Automated storage and retrieval systems come in two main varieties:
Unit-Load AS/RS and Mini-Load AS/RS. Some of the most popular types
of AS/RS technologies include:
- Fixed-Aisle Unit-Load AS/RS Cranes
- Movable-Aisle Unit-Load AS/RS Cranes
- Mini-Load AS/RS Crane
- Mini-Load AS/RS Shuttle
- Carousel-based AS/RS
- Vertical Lift Module (VLM)
Advantages
An effective automated storage and retrieval system provides
several benefits for supply chain management:
- An efficient AS/RS system helps companies cut expenses by
minimizing the amount of unnecessary parts and products in storage,
and improving organization of the contents of a warehouse. Due to
automated processes, it also allows for more storage space due to
high-density storage, narrower aisles, etc.
- Automation reduces labor costs while lowering workforce
requirements and increasing safety.
- Modeling and managing the logical representation of the physical
storage facilities (e.g. racking, etc.). For example, if certain
products are often sold together or are more popular than others,
those products can be grouped together or placed near the delivery
area to speed up the process of picking, packing and shipping to
customers.
- Enabling a seamless link to order processing and logistics
management in order to pick, pack, and ship product out of the
facility.
- Tracking where products are stocked, which suppliers they come
from, and the length of time they are stored. By analyzing such
data, companies can control inventory levels and maximize the use
of warehouse space. Furthermore, firms are more prepared for the
demands and supplies of the market, especially during special
circumstances such as a peak season on a particular month. Through
the reports generated by an AS/RS system, firms are also able to
gather important data that may be put in a model for it to be
analyzed.
If you are interested, please contact us.