The world of wireless mobility has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. From mobile computers to tablets to barcode scanners, the technology has enabled workers to be more productive than ever before. But according to a recent article in Material Handling & Logistics, Wireless Mobility: Ready for the next leg up, there are still many opportunities for wireless mobility to continue evolving and improving.

Growth of Mobility in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

One of the biggest areas for growth in wireless mobility is in the field of logistics and supply chain management. With the rise of e-commerce and the increasing demand for fast, reliable delivery of goods, logistics companies are looking for ways to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. Wireless mobility offers the potential to do just that.

For example, using mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, workers in a warehouse or distribution center can quickly and easily scan barcodes or RFID tags to track inventory and shipments. This can help to reduce errors and improve accuracy, as well as speed up the entire process of receiving, storing, and shipping goods.

Wireless Mobility in Asset Management

Another area where wireless mobility is having an impact is in the field of asset management. By using sensors and other wireless technologies, companies can track the location and condition of their assets in real-time. This can help to prevent loss or theft, as well as reduce maintenance costs by enabling companies to schedule repairs and replacements more efficiently.

Changing Customer Communication

Wireless mobility is also transforming the way that companies communicate with their customers. With the rise of social media and other digital channels, customers are more connected than ever before, and companies are looking for ways to engage with them in real-time. Mobile devices offer the potential to do just that, enabling companies to send personalized messages and offers to their customers based on their location, preferences, and purchase history.

Notable Viewpoints on Wireless Mobile Computers

• Wireless mobile devices are used for just one in three warehouse workflows! Inefficient pen and paper is still used for the other two.
• Experts say “nothing offers the same ROI as mobile wireless devices”
• Wearable computers eliminate the need for workers to continuously pick up and set down wired barcode scanners
• Counter-intuitively, high performing wireless mobile devices are even more valuable within the four walls of an enterprise than those used in the field.

Wireless Mobility Challenges To Be Addressed

Despite the many benefits of wireless mobility, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. For example, many companies are still struggling to integrate mobile devices into their existing IT systems. This can make it difficult to share data and collaborate effectively across different departments and teams.

Another challenge is security. With more and more sensitive data being stored on mobile devices, companies need to ensure that their devices are properly secured and that their data is protected from hackers and other threats.

To address these challenges, companies are turning to new technologies and strategies to improve their wireless mobility solutions. For example, some are using cloud-based services to simplify the management of their mobile devices and applications. Others are investing in advanced security technologies like biometric authentication and encryption to keep their data secure.

Summary

Overall, the article suggests that the future of wireless mobility looks bright, with new technologies and innovations continuing to emerge. As companies continue to adopt mobile devices and wireless technologies, they are likely to see increased productivity, improved efficiency, and better engagement with their customers. However, it will be important for companies to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in order to take full advantage of the benefits of wireless mobility.

Contact CSSI

Ready to discuss upgrading your wireless computing capabilities and creating new mobile workflows? Speak to CSSI to learn how we can help.

It’s common to encounter articles about advances in RFID technology, which create excitement and the urge to explore an RFID solution for potential benefits to your organization. But in practice, what are the great applications for RFID, and where is the ROI? We’d like to present 10 practical and proven applications which can be effectively handled by RFID. Obviously, results and appropriateness vary by business (one of the factors which is so unique about RFID), so consult with CSSI to explore whether an RFID system is a fit for your business.

10 Great Uses for RFID Technology

1. Inventory Management with RFID

Most people think of RFID technology as an enabler of real-time inventory tracking. Improved inventory control and accuracy has a broad range of benefits, from fewer stockouts and lost orders to reduced manual labor and improved utilization of company cash. A well-implemented RFID application for inventory management can eliminate the need for staff to manually scan or otherwise track in the receipt, shipment, and movement of materials.

2. RFID Asset Tracking

By attaching an RFID tag to assets such as equipment, tools, and vehicles, you can find lost items faster with an RFID reader, and obtain providing real-time location and utilization information with the right RFID asset tracking software. Tool tracking and high-value asset monitoring is a sometimes overlooked but excellent use case for RFID. Asset tracking applications may require active RFID tags, but with the right software, you may be able to achieve the benefits with a passive RFID tag… speak to CSSI for examples.

3. Supply Chain Management

RFID tracking enables end-to-end visibility of goods in the supply chain, reducing the risk of lost or stolen items and improving overall efficiency. Where are items moved upon receipt, and have they been properly stored?

4. RFID for Quality Control

Active or passive RFID tags can be used to track the progress of products through the production process, enabling quick identification of any quality issues. For one customer, CSSI created custom lab tracking software which simplifies the tracking and monitoring of quality control samples through an internal testing lab. This eliminated manual entry and clipboards, which are prone to error and provide insufficient digital proof that tests were performed.

5. Cross-docking with RFID

Cross-docking operations must move fast to be efficient. RFID technology can be used to automate the process of sorting and redistributing incoming goods, reducing manual labor and increasing speed. An RFID antenna configuration at dock doors can automatically detect the arrival and departure of inventory.

6. RFID for Work-in-Process Tracking

Need to track the progress of products as they move through the production process? Radio frequency identification, or RFID, can capture the arrival and departure of items at critical points in the process, and can document that correct operations were performed. This creates real-time data for process improvement.

7. Product Authentication with RFID

Seeking to avoid theft or scams such as the shipment or receipt of counterfeit items? A passive tag inserted into the item can allow you to verify that you are not accepting a fake. 

8. Maintenance Management with RFID Support

Seeking to create a more efficient CMMS (computerized maintenance management system)? RFID software can help in a number of ways… components which are labeled with passive RFID tags can help the operator get to the right spot, and background tracking via software can validate that maintenance was performed. Tags can be generated on demand with RFID printers, and can be used to track the maintenance and repair history of assets, helping to improve the overall reliability and lifespan of equipment.

9. Safety Management and RFID

Where are hazardous materials stored, and is there a system in place which can alert you if they are placed in an unauthorized area? An RFID tag can be used to track the location of hazardous materials, helping to ensure that they are stored and used safely.

10. Warehouse Management with RFID

RFID technology can be used to automate the picking and packing of orders, reducing manual labor and increasing speed and accuracy.

The Components of an RFID Solution

The most critical component of an RFID sytem is the tag. There are both passive and active RFID tags, which operated in several different frequences (high frequency, low frequency, etc.). A passive tag is energized by the signal from the RFID antenna, while an active RFID tag emits its own stronger signal. It is vital to choose (and test) RF tags to ensure that readability is acceptable for your use case. RFID printers allow you to generate tags on demand within your facility, or tags can be bulk pre-ordered from CSSI.

After the tag, the RFID reader and antenna is critical. Antennas ‘interrogate’ tags which are within range in order to extract information, and the RFID reader controls connected antennas and provides filtering of results, which are then presented to the RFID software.

RFID software is ultimately where the data extracted from the tags and presented in a way that allows you to perform desired workflows. There are a broad variety of RFID software solutions available, so CSSI will help you to select the best one for your use case based on our conversations with you.

Contact CSSI for RFID Help

Ready to start a conversation and explore RFID as a fit in your business? Contact CSSI to start today.

Competition and market forces are driving warehouses and fulfillment centers to continually seek higher productivity. That can put a strain on supply chain workers, who are both the essential ingredient and the weak link of the operation. It makes sense for business leaders to seek every opportunity to improve the operation, particularly when overall productivity and effectiveness can be increased while simultaneously making the job easier for the warehouse workers.

Against this backdrop, a mobile powered cart make perfect sense in the distribution center or production operation.  Here are several key reasons that mobile power should qualify as a top-of-mind investment:

5 Key Benefits of Powered Mobile Carts 

1. Improved labeling accuracy

Powered carts can be equipped as mobile printing stations. This enables your team to bring printers right to the point of use, avoiding mistakes and omissions caused by having to pick up batch printouts of labels at a central thermal printer, which might then be erroneously applied. Labeling errors can be costly – the wrong item is eventually picked and shipped, leading to expensive returns and lower customer satisfaction. Mobile printing workstations eliminate labeling errors right at the source.

2. Increased inventory control

When a mobile powered cart is equipped with inventory management tools, such as barcode scanners or RFID readers, it becomes easier for employees to perform necessary inventory operations, which in turn makes it more likely that the work will be done as required without mistakes or shortcuts.

3. Reduced travel waste

Costly footsteps cost real money! Basic LEAN principles dictate that waste should be eliminated wherever possible to improve overall efficiency. Travel waste is a significant loss to the organization, and travel takes time (costing money with an hourly employee), has an opportunity cost (what else could the employee have accomplished in that time?). Even small amounts of travel time add up when repeated frequently!

4. Improved worker ergonomics

The travel waste described above has an additional detrimental effect on the employee’s productivity for the rest of the day… as an employee physically tires from continual travel, his or her pace of work slows. Further, a mobile computer cart enables the employee to keep all necessary worktools nearby, reducing potential strains and injuries from lifting or bending unnecessarily.

5. Enhanced flexibility

This is an easy to miss yet powerful benefit of mobile powered carts… Your company can quickly reconfigure the deployment of technology assets, as dictated by the business requirements at that time. This unlocks the possibility for pop-up checkouts and point of sale, label printing at the point of use, inventory activities at the precise site in which they are occurring, and much more. Business needs change fast, so you should not be locked into static work environments… a flexible mobile workstation unlocks that possibility.

Ready for Powered Mobile Carts?

A mobile powered workstation has numerous benefits which immediately impact your operation. Powered mobile carts allow workers to move large quantities of materials quickly and easily, reducing the time and effort required for receiving, putaway, picking, and shipping. The use of mobile powered workstations also can help reduce labor costs by increasing the speed and efficiency of warehouse operations, allowing more work to be done with fewer workers.

Contact CSSI To Discuss Implementing Powered Mobile Carts In Your Operation

CSSI has deployed mobile carts from leading provider Newcastle Systems for a broad variety of applications. We can guide you towards a mobile cart with a high quality battery and power system, and support the integration of key accessories such as a barcode scanner, label printer, and rugged tablet or laptop. Contact CSSI today to discuss your business challenges and we can help you determine if powered carts are the right fit for you.

In this era of rapid growth and increased competition, manufacturing and warehouse companies are always looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase supply chain productivity. One technology that is receiving increasing amounts of buzz in recent years is the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for the automation of internal logistics tasks (material handling and material transport). An autonomous robot is designed to move around a facility without the need for human intervention. They can navigate among people and around obstacles using on-board sensors, cameras, and other technologies. Industrial mobile robots can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, and can even be fitted with special enhancements to enable specialized functionality.

Top 5 Reasons To Explore AMRs in 2023

So what are the top 5 reasons why forward-thinking manufacturing and warehouse companies should explore the use of AMRs for material handling and material transport?

1. AMR Technology Increases Efficiency and Productivity

One of the biggest benefits of using AMRs for material handling and material transport is the increased efficiency and productivity they can bring to a warehouse operation or manufacturing floor. AMRs can move quickly and accurately through a facility, picking up and delivering materials to the right places without the need for human intervention. This can save a significant amount of time and labor, allowing companies to get more work done in less time.

2. AMRs Reduce Labor Costs

Another major benefit of using AMRs for material handling and material transport is the reduction in costs that can result. AMRs can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, which can reduce the need for worker labor. This can lead to significant cost savings for companies, as they will no longer need to pay for labor to perform these tasks. Additionally, AMRs can also reduce costs associated with training and turnover, as well as reducing the risk of human errors.

3. AMRs Improve Facility Safety

AMRs can also improve worker safety in a facility by reducing the need for human intervention in dangerous or hazardous areas. For example, AMRs can be used to transport materials through a facility without the need for human workers to be present in areas where there is a risk of injury or accidents. Powerful artificial intelligence and environmental awareness enables obstacle avoidance and makes the mobile robot less prone to accidents than human-powered forklifts. This can reduce the risk of workplace injuries and accidents, resulting in a safer working environment for everyone.

4. AMRs are Highly Scalable

One of the great advantages of using industrial mobile robots for material handling and material transport is the scalability of the technology. AMRs can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of a facility. This means that as a company grows, it can easily add more robots to its fleet to keep up with the increased demand for material handling and transport. Warehouse fleet management software is available to coordinate the actions of larger numbers of AMRs.

5. AMRs are Easy to Implement

Implementing AMRs for warehouse automation in a facility is relatively easy. A company like CSSI specialize in providing AMRs and the necessary software to operate them. CSSI can work closely with your facility to help you set up and implement the technology, providing training and support to ensure that the AMRs are used safely and effectively.

AMRs are Ready To Go in 2023!

The mobile industrial robot tasked with material handling and rack or pallet transport can bring significant benefits to manufacturing and warehouse companies, including increased efficiency and productivity, reduced costs, improved safety, scalability, and easy implementation. While some may have concerns about the safety of using an AMR solution in facilities where mobile robots work alongside people, the technology has been shown to be safe when properly implemented and managed. Companies looking to improve their operations and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment should definitely explore the use of AMRs for repetitive tasks such as material handling and material transport.

CSSI Can Help With Your Implementation of AMRs

Which of the top 5 reasons to implement autonomous mobile robots provide the largest benefits to your organizations? If you are ready to explore an AMR solution, you will benefit from working with a knowledgeable warehouse and mobile robotics consultant such as CSSI. CSSI provides solutions from leading AMR manufacturers Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and Fetch Robotics by Zebra Technologies. We can help you to select the ideal workflows to target with automation, help you select the best robot for the job, and work with you as you implement the AMRs.

Contact CSSI to get started with AMRs in 2023!

Chronic Staffing Challenges for Warehousing & Manufacturing

Warehouses and manufacturers are confronted with demographic trends and changing workforce preferences which promise continued challenges with achieving adequate staff levels and employee retention. A recent article in Supply Chain Quarterly (Automation’s Role in Solving Today’s Labor Challenges) discusses the current labor challenges facing the supply chain industry and how automation can play a role in addressing these challenges. Supply Chain Quarterly (SCQ) argues that the supply chain industry is facing a number of significant labor challenges, including a shortage of skilled workers, high turnover rates, and rising labor costs. These challenges are being compounded by a rapidly changing business environment, where companies must be able to quickly adapt to new technologies and changing customer demands.

Is Automation the Answer to Warehouse Labor Shortages?

To address these labor challenges, SCQ suggests that companies need to turn to automation. Automation technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can help companies automate repetitive tasks and reduce their dependence on human labor. By automating these tasks, companies can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and free up employees to focus on more strategic activities.

Key Benefits of Introducing Automation

One of the key benefits of automation is that it can help companies overcome the shortage of skilled workers. For example, companies can use automation technologies to automate tasks that typically require highly skilled workers, such as data analysis or report generation. This allows companies to free up these workers to focus on more strategic activities, and it also helps to reduce the risk of burnout and turnover among these workers.

Another key benefit of automation is that it can help companies to improve the quality of their products and services. Automation technologies can be used to automate quality control processes, helping to ensure that products are consistent and meet the required standards. This can improve customer satisfaction and reduce the risk of product recalls, which can be costly and damaging to a company’s reputation.

SCQ also notes that automation can help companies to address the rising cost of labor. As labor costs continue to rise, companies are looking for ways to reduce their costs and improve their competitiveness. Automation can help to achieve this by reducing the need for human labor and improving efficiency. For example, automation technologies can be used to automate tasks that are typically performed by low-skilled workers, such as data entry or order processing. This can help to reduce labor costs and improve the efficiency of these processes.

Today’s Warehouse Automation Solutions
Cost-accessible for operations of all sizes
Deployable in days (or even hours)
No major infrastructure investments required
Can be programmed to handle multiple tasks
Easy to modify as processes evolve and needs change

Warehouse Automation Benefits Summarized

Finally, SCQ argues that automation has a critical role to play in addressing the current labor challenges facing the supply chain industry. Automation technologies such as autonomous mobile robots can help companies overcome the shortage of skilled workers, improve the quality of their products and services, and reduce the cost of labor. By embracing automation, companies can improve their competitiveness and better meet the changing needs of their customers. Read the entire article here.

Contact CSSI to Discuss Autonomous Mobile Robots

To discuss implementing autonomous mobile robots as a way to counteract staffing challenges, while improving labor productivity overall, please contact CSSI.

In today’s fast-paced environment, most frontline workers are equipped with mobile computer solutions. However, there are times when a desktop layout (larger monitor, keyboard, headset) makes sense. Until now, companies have needed to invest in a separate desktop PC for their workers. Good news: Zebra’s clever new Workstation Connect is a docking station which enables the worker to plug in a mobile device and immediately convert it to a full-featured desktop PC environment. The ROI case is simple: worker efficiency is improved, with simultaneous opportunities to improve customer satisfaction.

Workstation Connect is compatible with a broad range of Zebra Technologies mobile computers, including current TC handhelds and ET tablets.

How Workstation Connect Works

It’s simple to use: simply drop a Zebra mobile device into the dock, and it will connect to the monitors and peripheral devices. Users immediately receive the productivity benefits of a workstation, the ergonomic benefits of larger screen and keyboard/mouse, and the ability to simultaneously work on different apps on the desktop and mobile device!

Workstation Connect Features

• Intuitive desktop interface
• Flexible HDMI monitor support
• Supports various data-entry modes
• Supports Android, web-based, and more
• Secure: admin control over peripherals allowed and the desktop
• Rugged design will stand up to day-to-day usage
• Accommodates a range of Zebra mobile computer and tablet models

The workstation docking cradle includes ports for powered USB, HDMI, Ethernet, an audio jack, and cable management. Various configurations are available to dial in the precise feature set you need for your business requirements.

The Workstation Connect Desktop – Not Just a Larger Mobile Screen

It’s important to note that the Workstation Connect dock doesn’t just make the Zebra mobile device screen larger… it creates an entirely new screen layout, which will be familiar to desktop users. Application launch shortcuts can be positioned on the desktop. Application can be opened in re-sizable windows, a familiar taskbar is present. All of the features which users make common use of at a desktop are present.

Enterprise-Grade Administrative Control

As would be expected from a Zebra Technologies product, Workstation Connect offers powerful levels of admin control. You can control configuration through mobile device management (MDM) software. You can determine with precision which applications and levels of user access are allowed. You can control the look and feel of the user desktop in order to ensure conformity and easier training. Workstation Connect also includes a USB Host Manager which ensures that only authorized devices are connected – this reduces potential security risks cause by employees introducing risky peripherals.

Applications for Zebra Workstation Connect

• Warehouses and Distribution Centers – managers and material handlers get flexible access to a workstation for label printing, data entry, communications, and reports
• Public Safety – first responders can use an in-vehicle workstation for computer aided dispatch (CAD), records management system access (RMS), and law enforcement applications
• Retail – store associates gain flexibility for point of sale, returns processing, communications, and more
• Hospitality – create dynamic check-in/checkout stations, point of sale, and guest assistance
• Healthcare – nurses and providers gain EHR access, admissions/discharge forms, scan barcodes, and kiosks for patient check-in

To further increase the power of this workstation docking cradle, combine it with a mobile powered cart from Newcastle Systems, also available through CSSI.

Learn More About Zebra Workstation Connect

To learn more about Workstation Connect, and to arrange a personal demo, please contact CSSI. We will work with you to understand the requirements of your frontline workers and create a winning solution.

For years, Zebra’s TC series of Android handheld computers has provided durable mobile computing solutions for the enterprise. The TC7x has always been the toughest, ‘best-in-class’ part of the product family.

Zebra has just announced the latest version in this rugged mobile computer family… the TC73 and TC78. This is a significant leap forward in terms of computing power, user ergonomics, durability, and productivity-enhancing features such as an improved barcode scanner.

Zebra TC73/TC78 Offers Major Upgrades Over Prior Versions

Difference Between TC73 and TC78 Handheld Computer

The 2 versions of this handheld are identical with the exception that the TC73 is Wi-Fi only, whereas the TC78 offers both Wi-Fi and 5G capability. So TC78 is the right choice for work in the field where remote connections are important, whereas TC73 is the best option when the device will only be used ‘within the company walls’ with wireless networks. For example, TC78 would typically be the best choice in direct store delivery or field service usage, whereas for warehouse or retail store usage, the TC73 would be sufficient. Both units include bluetooth.

Target Use Environments for the TC73-TC78

The TC73-TC78 can boast a broad range of great ‘use cases’. Basically, any environment which requires rugged devices, exceptional battery life and scanning capability, and a large touch screen (but not tablet-sized).

Some typical great applications for the TC73 and TC78 include:

Parcel Delivery	Manufacturing
Field Mobility	Warehouse
Field Service	Public Service / First Responders
Direct Store Delivery (DSD)	Distribution Centers
Route Accounting	Retail

Learn More About the TC73/TC78 Handheld Computer

Contact CSSI for information on this powerful new Android computer and schedule your hands-on demo today. CSSI is a Zebra Technologies partner, and pleased to discuss, deploy, and support this product with you. CSSI offers a broad range of professional services to ensure successful rollouts and smooth ongoing usage.

Warehouse Automation Simplified with MiR Robots

Warehouses struggle to staff appropriately in the face of rapid material handling growth and a labor shortage. Now you have the same technology available to you as much larger warehouse operators… autonomous robots for internal logistics tasks.

CSSI is now a source for MiR warehouse robots . MiR is one of the largest and most experienced manufacturers of warehouse robotics technology. Better yet, MiR autonomous mobile robot solutions are highly scalable and easy to implement. In the video below, we demonstrate a MiR robot for you:

Internal Transport Workflows for MiR Warehouse Robots

MiR robots are ideal for frequently repeated and well-defined material movement tasks. Some of these might include:

• Supporting picking by transferring picked items to shipping
• Resupplying your manufacturing line with components and raw material
• Removing recycling or waste material
• Movement of carts, or pallet transport in your warehouse – even heavier loads
• Even transferring items from one line to another as a ‘virtual conveyor belt’

Ready to do a proof of concept project? Implement one or two robots as a way to prove out your business case and ROI. It’s easy to scale up later as you expand project scope and add new logistics tasks for your mobile industrial robot fleet.

CSSI will support you from workflow selection through project implementation. Our AMR experts will get you started quickly so that you can see the benefits of mobile robots.

Learn More About MiR Warehouse Robots

Take the next step by contacting CSSI to learn more about MiR robots and arrange a demo of this powerful solution to support your internal logistics. The CSSI team looks forward to working with you on warehouse automation with industrial robots in 2023!

CSSI Simplifies Internal Transportation with Advanced Mobile Robots

CSSI Technologies is now a source for autonomous mobile robots offered by MiR (Mobile Industrial Robots). Founded in 2011, MiR is a leading manufacturer in the development of robotics technology for internal logistics. MiR offers a robust line of AMR base units which can transport pallets, racks, and carts, improving productivity by reducing your usage of human-controlled material handling equipment such as forklifts, hand trucks, pallet jacks, and static conveyor systems.

As the US mid-Atlantic region’s premier source for supply chain mobile computing and data capture technology, CSSI is excited to further expand its suite of product offerings for the warehouse, manufacturing facility, and distribution center, now including MiR mobile robots. CSSI will consult with you to identify your best task candidates for industrial automation, and will work with you to demo and configure the ideal AMR solution.

MiR Robot Applications & Advantages

MiRs autonomous robots (such as the MiR100 robot) are suitable for a broad range of internal logistics tasks, such as parts-to-line, kitting/picking, putaway, pallet transport, and trash removal. The automation of these internal transport tasks allows you to redeploy expensive human workers to higher value activities, and reduces challenges in keeping the workforce adequately staffed.

MiR mobile robots are easy to implement, even in highly dynamic environments with heavy loads. CSSI will work with you to assess and map your facility, and program your desired workflows. You can have an initial workflow up and running for a powerful robot within hours. As your needs expand, it’s extremely easy to grow your AMR fleet – simply deploy new units.

Overlapping Safety Mechanisms

Safety considerations are critical for an autonomous mobile robot, particularly when the unit will be working in environments shared with people. A MiR robot can be deployed without special training for your co-workers. Starting with your facility map: you can designate zones for preferred travel, as well as no-go or go-slow zones. The AMR’s array of sensors and powerful onboard software will always stay attentive to the local environment, as the robot optimizes or alters its planned path if obstacles are detected.

Function-Enabling AMR Add-Ons (‘Top Units’)

The core MiR autonomous mobile robot products are combined with one of many types of ‘top units’. These are functional add-ons which integrate with the robot to enable particular functionality – such pallet lifts or a collaborative robot arm. MiR offers a catalog of top units created by itself as well as 3rd parties. This creates a broader set of solutions, and allows you to assign different tasks to your autonomous robot over time as your needs change.

Powerful MiR Fleet Software

Each MiR robot has on-board AI and motion control software which enables you to configure and control the unit. However, if you will use multiple robots in the same facility, MiR Fleet software brings an increased ability to coordinate and optimize the actions of the mobile industrial robot fleet.

• Prioritize which autonomous robot handles given automation tasks based on position and availability
• Plans and coordinates the use of different top modules
• Connects to your WMS, ERP, and PLC’s. Integrate with other software through REST API.
• Can handle a fleet of up to 100 robots

Schedule Your MiR Robot Introduction

You can learn more by visiting our dedicated Mobile Industrial Robots (Mir) page. The team at CSSI is ready to discuss the use of MiRs autonomous robots to improve your internal logistics and material handling productivity. Please contact us to schedule your in-person robotics demo today.

Warehouse Growth – A Steam Train With No End In Sight

According to Forbes, warehousing is a “steam train with no end in sight”. Driven by massive surges in ecommerce activity, which was only accelerated by the pandemic, warehouse absorption reached 250 million square feet in 2021, up sharply over the previous 5-year average of 211 million square feet.

Fulfillment operations struggle to keep up with rising demand, larger facilities… and operations hamstrung by a tight labor market and rapid employee turnover. All this at the same time that customer expectations for shipment speed and supply chain accuracy reach new highs, the ‘acceptable performance’ bar for responsiveness and inventory management having been raised by leading players such as Amazon.

But technology has answers, with warehouse automation technology such as the inventory retrieval system, the autonomous mobile robot, the automated guided vehicle, and automated storage… all improving inventory control and warehouse efficiency.

Warehouse Robotics To The Rescue

State of the art warehouse operations have for years increasingly adopted and refined warehouse automation technology such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling and order fulfillment. In 2022, it could be said that these technologies are now not only accessible to the rest of the market… they are increasingly becoming table stakes for anyone hoping to run a top-performing operation. There will rapidly come a day when warehouse automation systems and a solid warehouse execution system will be required just to maintain basic supply chain competitiveness.

Warehouse automation both mitigates the need for the same quantity of hard-to-attract workers and dramatically improves the productivity of each warehouse worker on staff. Output gains of 2X and 3X are routinely seen in projects which deliver positive ROI for the firm.

Surging Warehouse Robotics Adoption

The warehouse management industry is getting the message, and adoption of robotics in the supply chain is surging.

According to Statista, there are strong warehouse automation trends: The warehousing robotics market is expected to grow 137% from 2021 to 2030 (from $14.7 billion to $6.2 billion). Today, approximately 5% of warehouse space is automated. In a Freight Waves article, Rick Faulk, the CEO of Locus Robotics, says “I don’t think there is a ceiling. There will be another 6 or 7 billion square feet of warehouse space built over the next several years and that all needs to be automated.” Of course, that would not even include the massive square footage of existing warehouses, which almost must be modernized.

It’s an exciting time to be in warehousing!

Read the whole article to learn more about warehouse automation and robotics:

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/massive-growth-expected-for-warehouse-robotics

Ready to explore warehouse automation with robotics in your facility?

Curious about the primary benefits of autonomous mobile robots? If you think that autonomous robots may be a fit for your warehouse or distribution center, now is a great time to kick off your project. CSSI’s team of warehouse management and AMR experts can review your workflows (picking, putaway, shipping, etc.) to identify automation opportunities which will transform your productivity. Consult with CSSI to discuss a warehouse automation solution. Contact CSSI to start the conversation.