Know Your Network Before You Set Up Your Automated Warehouse System
Know Your Network Before You Set Up Your Automated Warehouse System
There's a lot of buzz around warehouse automation, which can lead to misunderstandings about what it truly entails and what drives it. Many envision automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic pickers or even "lights-out" facilities as the starting point. However, these high-profile upgrades, while exciting, are not where real autonomy begins.
The truth is, before any advanced automated warehouse systems can deliver on their promise, a critical prerequisite must be in place: advanced connectivity. This foundational layer, a robust and reliable network infrastructure, is what enables systems to communicate seamlessly. It's the invisible yet essential backbone that connects every person, system, warehouse automation software platform and device, providing the real-time data necessary for automation platforms to function effectively.
Despite its importance, this foundational need is often overlooked by warehouse leaders, even as they continue to invest heavily in smart devices, robotics and warehouse management (WMS) and execution systems (WES). To truly unlock the potential and see real returns on your automated warehouse systems, it's imperative to assess your current infrastructure—identifying its strengths, gaps, risks, and opportunities—long before deploying any new automation.