Warehouse Technology

What are the most important factors of storage technology?

There are some important factors to consider when choosing the right warehouse technology. In this article, we will highlight the most important aspects to ensure you choose the best possible warehouse technology for your business. We will also provide some helpful tips on how to optimise your warehouse technology. Effective warehouse logistics is only possible with the right warehouse technology. There is a wide range of solutions in the market, from racking to trolleys to automated systems, designed and adapted for a wide variety of needs. It is crucial to consider factors such as the type of load units or the volume of goods flow when choosing storage technology.

What is meant by the term warehouse technology?

Efficient and reliable warehouse technology is a decisive factor for the success of a company. The definition of warehouse technology includes all measures and processes required for the storage of goods and commodities. This includes the selection of the right storage racks, the set-up of storage systems as well as the planning and implementation of storage processes. The focus of warehouse technology is on strategic planning and the effective use of technologies to manage the warehouse. In contrast, warehouse technology focuses on the physical set-up and equipment of the warehouse to ensure smooth operations. Well-organised warehouse technology enables optimal use of the available space, fast availability of products and efficient picking and dispatch processing.

What counts as warehouse technology and what is its significance?

Warehouse technology includes all components, systems and machines that are used in logistical processes - from goods receipt to order picking and dispatch to the customer. The equipment can be divided into manual (e.g. pallet racks, forklifts and order pickers) and automatic (conveyors, rail transport systems and stacker cranes). Each storage activity requires specific equipment in order to be carried out with maximum efficiency. Choosing the right equipment is critical to the efficiency of a company's entire supply chain.

How do you determine the needs as a basis for warehouse technology?

To choose the right warehouse technology for your business, a needs assessment is essential. This involves determining the actual need for warehouse capacity and functions. In doing so, you should not only focus on your current requirements, but also consider future developments and growth plans. A thorough needs assessment will help you select the right warehouse technology and avoid unnecessary investments. In this way, you can ensure that your warehouse can be operated efficiently and cost-effectively and that it meets the requirements of your business.

Space requirements and room design: How much space does the warehouse need?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right warehouse technology, including space requirements and room design. It is important to make the best use of the available space in the warehouse to ensure efficient storage. Depending on the type of warehouse and the products stored, space requirements can vary greatly. The layout and design of the space also play an important role in enabling optimal use of the available space. Not only should the dimensions of the warehouse be considered, but also the number and size of doors, windows and other facilities in the room. Good planning and implementation of the room design can help to ensure that the storage space is used optimally and thus costs can be saved.

Stored goods: What types of goods are stored and how often do they need to be moved?

When choosing the right warehouse technology, it is important to consider the different types of stored goods. This is because different storage requirements must be met depending on the type of goods to be stored. Commonly stored goods include, for example, food, electronic equipment, textiles or even dangerous goods. Each of these goods requires a specific storage environment to ensure their quality and safety. For example, food must be stored in a cool and hygienic environment, while electronic equipment must be protected from moisture and dust. When storing dangerous/hazardous goods, there are also certain regulations to follow in order to avoid accidents. Therefore, when choosing the right warehouse technology, one should always make sure that it meets the requirements of the respective stored goods. Another example is seasonal products that are only needed at certain times of the year. Here it can make sense to choose warehouse technology that is flexibly adaptable and can be easily rearranged. The size and weight of the goods also play a role in choosing the right storage system. Heavy goods, for example, require robust shelving or special means of transport such as forklift trucks. A precise analysis of goods movements and sizes is therefore essential to ensure efficient warehousing.

Storage of loads of different sizes

Storing loads of different sizes requires a wide range of systems to meet individual needs. Shelving or flow racks are suitable for small products, while palletised systems such as pallet racks, drive-in racks, Movirack sliding racks, push-back racks are designed for the largest loads. Particularly noteworthy is the semi-automatic Pallet Shuttle system, which transports pallets within the goods aisles in the racking by electric drive. There is also special equipment for bulky products, such as cantilever racking designed for storing long goods. In addition, suppliers also offer equipment for storing goods with non-standard shapes, such as coil racking. Movibloc archive sliding shelves are ideal for offices and pharmacies, while archive cabinets are suitable for storing smaller format documents.

Flexibility: Can changes in the future be accommodated?

When choosing the right warehouse technology, flexibility is an important factor that is often overlooked. It is inevitable that warehouse requirements will change over time. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the equipment chosen is able to accommodate and adapt to changes. For example, the business may grow and require more space or the way products need to be stored may change. Flexible warehouse technology allows the business to respond quickly to these changes and continue to operate effectively. It is also important to remember that non-flexible equipment may incur additional costs when changes need to be made. Therefore, flexibility should be considered as an important factor when choosing warehouse technology.

Forklifts and other pallet handling equipment

In manually operated warehouses, forklifts and other pallet handling equipment are indispensable to facilitate the transport of goods. However, it is important to note that not all forklifts are suitable for every situation. Hand pallet trucks and pallet trucks are ideal for picking and transporting a few pallets over short distances, while reach trucks and counterbalance trucks are suitable for transporting pallets to great heights and distances.

Security aspects

The role of occupational safety, fire protection and burglary protection in the selection of warehouse technology is essential. After all, this is the only way to ensure that your goods and products are protected in the future. Occupational safety is an important factor to consider when selecting warehouse technology. It is about ensuring the safety of your employees and preventing accidents in the warehouse. This includes, for example, sufficient lighting to avoid tripping hazards or the presence of protective equipment such as helmets or gloves. Fire protection should also not be neglected. A fire can start quickly and spread rapidly - so you need to make sure that your goods are stored in a fireproof room and protected with a sprinkler system if necessary. Burglary protection also plays a big role in choosing the right warehouse technology. After all, theft can mean huge financial losses and damage your reputation. A good option for protection are, for example, alarm systems or surveillance cameras. In summary: Occupational safety, fire protection as well as burglary protection should definitely be taken into account when choosing your warehouse technology - this is the only way to ensure the long-term protection of your goods!

Personnel requirements

How many employees are needed to operate the warehouse? In order to determine the staffing requirements for the operation of the warehouse, various factors must be taken into account. First, it is important to know the size of the warehouse and the number of goods flowing in and out daily. Furthermore, the type of products and their storage requirements also play a role in determining the staff needed. For example, perishable food or dangerous goods require special knowledge and experience in handling these products. Another important aspect is the equipment available in the warehouse. Depending on which technical aids are available, this can have an impact on staffing requirements. In addition to these factors, seasonal fluctuations should also be taken into account. If, for example, higher order volumes than usual occur during certain months, more staff must be planned accordingly. An accurate analysis of all these factors ultimately makes it possible to determine a realistic need for staff to keep a warehouse running smoothly - be it in the form of full-time employees or part-time workers. However, it should always be kept in mind: A sufficient workforce not only ensures efficient work handling but at the same time contributes significantly to the success of a company!

Can warehouse technology be automated to save costs and increase efficiency?

The answer is a resounding yes. Technology support in the warehouse can mean a huge improvement in efficiency and productivity while saving costs. One way to automate the warehouse is to use automated racking systems. These systems use advanced sensors and software to optimise space and speed up the storage and retrieval of goods. This type of automation also minimises the risk of human error. Another example of technological support in the warehouse is mobile data collection devices such as barcode scanners or RFID readers. These devices allow employees to quickly and accurately collect information about products, which in turn saves time and increases accuracy. Additionally, there are also opportunities to optimise inventory management through the use of real-time data analytics tools. This allows companies to identify trends before they occur - for example, seasonal fluctuations or changes in demand - which can help to better anticipate overstocks or shortages of certain products. All in all, technological support in the warehouse offers numerous advantages for companies of all sizes: higher efficiency not only leads to cost savings, but also improves customer satisfaction through faster delivery times and better quality assurance thanks to lower error rates during goods receipt/issue. So it's definitely worth thinking about!

Cost factors

How much budget is available or how can running costs be minimised? When planning a project, it is essential to keep an eye on the cost factors. Only if the budget is estimated realistically and running costs can be minimised can the project be implemented successfully. First of all, it is important to find out how much budget is available. Here, all relevant factors should be taken into account: How high are the client's financial resources? Are there funding opportunities or other financing options? What expenses need to be planned for materials, personnel and other resources? Once a realistic budget has been set, the next step is to ensure that running costs are kept as low as possible during the implementation of the project. There are various approaches to this: For example, attention can be paid to an efficient organisation of work or to avoiding unnecessary expenditure. Another important aspect of cost factors, however, is flexibility with regard to possible changes in the course of the project - because these can arise at any time and often mean additional expenses. Therefore, there should always be enough leeway in the budget to be able to absorb such situations without having to jeopardise the entire project. All in all, it can be said that careful planning and constant monitoring of the costs incurred are decisive for whether a project is ultimately completed successfully or not!

Conclusion: The most important factors in choosing the right warehouse technology

In summary, choosing the right warehouse technology depends on several factors. Among the most important are the type and nature of the goods to be stored, as well as their quantity and weight. The spatial conditions also play a decisive role in the selection of suitable racks or stackers. Furthermore, aspects such as flexibility, safety and efficiency should also be taken into account. Flexible warehouse technology makes it possible, for example, to react quickly to changes in the inventory or in the processes. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that all workplace safety measures are met - this includes stable racking systems as well as ergonomic working conditions for staff. In addition to these practical considerations, the budget also plays an important role in choosing the right warehouse technology. Here it is important to weigh up investment and operating costs as well as possible savings potential through efficient processes. All in all, careful consideration of all relevant factors is necessary to be able to work successfully in the long term with optimally equipped warehousing - whether in a small craft business or a large logistics centre.