_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guidance
Automation opportunities
Maximising the potential of AMRs with software integration
Over the past few years , companies of every size have invested in technology to address key areas of business pain . Autonomous mobile robots ( AMRs ) have reduced the time spent by workers walking around the manufacturing or warehouse facility . Software solutions such as Warehouse Management Systems ( WMS ) have helped to optimize operations , and Pick-to-Light technology has transformed the speed and accuracy of stock picks . The result of this investment has been pockets of efficiency gains . But is this enough ?
The speed of technology innovation and maturity is now opening up tangible opportunities to explore custom software development to pull these pockets of efficiency together . Whether it is joining up the AMRs with fleet management and WMS , linking WMS with Pick-to-Light or creating an optimized warehouse execution solution – companies can achieve a step-change in efficiency and further capitalize on existing investment , explains Dr Paul Rivers , CEO of Guidance Automation .
Affordable innovation
Five years ago , just a handful of Automated Guided Vehicles ( AGVs ) and AMRs were available for UK businesses . Today there are over 100 different vendors offering robot bases , each with different applications or functions to meet the specific needs of manufacturing and logistics operations . They are strong enough to move heavy loads ; have the agility to shift goods between production lines ; and are perfectly safe to operate alongside the workforce . With prices becoming ever more affordable , companies of every size are embracing these innovative solutions .
Adding AMRs to an operation is easy and delivers a fast return on investment ( ROI ). It doesn ’ t even need integration : at the simplest level , a robot can be provided with a list of activities by downloading numerous orders onto a memory stick . Even with this basic level deployment of AMRs , companies can minimize the time spent walking by staff , allowing individuals to be redeployed to other areas of the business , such as quality control . Adding robots also provides
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