FEATURE Automated warehousing
Warehouse operators get serious about AI, as industry disruption looms
A
recent study by warehouse solutions provider, Zebra, has found that warehousing operators are considering
artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as industry disruption looms large. The “Zebra 2023 Making Modern
Warehousing a Reality: Supply Chain Resiliency & Agility” paper indicates that, within five years, most global warehousing decision makers plan to invest in machine learning (94%), predictive analytics (92%), machine vision (86%) and computer vision (85%). These advanced AI technologies enable automation, analytics and digital decision-making capabilities across the supply chain and warehouse floor. The Zebra survey is based on feedback
from over 1,400 decision makers and associates who manage and maintain warehouse and distribution centre operations in manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics and wholesale distribution across North and Latin America, Europe and the Asia Pacific.
More supply chain problems Warehouse decision makers are accelerating technology investment plans to overcome supply chain challenges around labour optimisation, streamlining workflow processes, inventory inaccuracy and the move to cloud-based systems.
Following a year of inflationary
pressures and ongoing labour hiring and retention challenges, problems can hit global supply chains at any time, like the Panama Canal drought issue, which caused ships to experience 20- day delays, through reduced crossings and fees more than doubling. Knock-on effects of problems like these increase shipping fees, delay deliveries, and call for alternative transport routes. Going forward, supply chain problems will be felt even more acutely, leaving retailers and warehouse operators uncertain about consumer spending,
42 May 2024 | Automation
leading to risks of over- or under- stocking. “Warehouse decision makers are embracing AI supply chain and warehouse modernisation solutions in the face of what feels like never ending disruptions and ‘black swan’ events – rare and unpredictable occurrences that have major impacts” said Andre Luecht, Global Strategy Lead, Warehouse, Transportation and Logistics, Zebra Technologies.
“Cloud-based systems, AI, analytics and digital twins are giving warehouse leaders the visibility, flexibility and resiliency they need in today’s world, where supply chains are global, complex and disrupted. But these solutions shouldn’t be seen in a silo or as a silver bullet. It’s better to implement when appropriate, as part of a visible and flexible ecosystem.” Zebra’s research also highlights
the growing demand and urgency for sensor technology in 2024 among global decision makers, including passive radio frequency identification (RFID)
tags and sensors (81%), active tag real-time location technology (68%), mobile sensors on forklifts (68%), and temperature monitoring and smart labels (67%).
“The nature of disruptions and ‘black swan’ events can be difficult to control, but we should be working toward being able to better predict, anticipate, mitigate and respond before these things happen, to minimise and eliminate negative impacts on supply chain and warehouse operations,” said Luecht.
Report findings The Zebra report found that warehouse decision makers are adopting AI solutions to build more resilient, adaptable and agile warehouse and supply chain operations to manage the impact of disruption and ‘black swan’ events.
In all this, Zebra solutions are helping businesses across all industries transform supply-chain operations, enhancing real- time visibility to deliver better decision making and competitive advantages.
automationmagazine.co.uk
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