Creating ROI using Mobile Robotics for Material Transport

New technologies for warehouse automation and the rise of mobile robotics for material handling have created fertile new ground for improving productivity in the warehouse operation. Most of us have seen photos or video of products from companies such as Fetch Robotics or Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) buzzing around a manufacturing operation, and even more have seen impressive footage of the robotic ‘dog’ from Boston Dynamics performing impressive physical feats.

Intuitively, we understand that autonomous mobile robots benefits the company and its human workers, but we may not have a complete picture of precisely HOW robots provide benefits. Let’s discuss several ways:

5 Benefits of AMRs

1. AMRs improve labor productivity

For human workers to be productive, they must stay on-task, with all necessary material and supplies. Autonomous mobile robots can step in to keep the worker supplied and to eliminate non-productive travel time. No need for the worker to step away from the point of work in search of parts or supplies – an AMR can bring the materials to the worker. With more time on task, productivity rises.

2. Reduce picking errors with AMRs

Shipping errors can be expensive. Not only does the company bear additional transport costs and potential product loss, but there is also a customer satisfaction impact which can be devastating over time. These errors can be eliminated at the source: picking. An autonomous robot which provides picking support, for example with an integrated screen requiring the picker to confirm that the correct item has been selected, can make it near-impossible for the pick error to occur.

3. AMRs reduce downtime caused by wasted travel of personnel

It’s well known that forklift accidents are a constant source of concern for the warehouse and production facility. People make mistakes, and thus human-controlled forklifts will inevitably have accidents. Autonomous mobile robots have developed artificial intelligence with significant and redundant safety requirements to ensure safe operation. AMRs boast arrays of onboard sensors and cameras intended to come as close as possible to eliminating safety incidents. Further, AMRs perform exactly as specified through software, without danger of performance changing due to fatigue, distraction, or boredom caused by repetitive tasks, as may be the case with forklifts under manual operation by a human worker.

4. Reduce new employee training time with AMRs

Worker turnover is higher than ever, and employee tenures are short. It is imperative that companies minimize the time it takes to train new team members. An AMR solution can help with this. By creating standard processes, clear onscreen instructions, and through simplification of tasks enabled by the collaborative robot, it’s possible to train an employee faster. The AMR can also help to support the employee’s training and learning, for example, by providing immediate feedback in a picking operation whether the correct item has been selected.

5. Maximize facility efficiency with AMRs

The autonomous mobile robot is not just for picking operations. AMRs can also be used for the automation of bulk material movement. For example, transfers of cases or pallets can be automated with an autonomous robot. Another exciting feature is the AMRs ability to eliminate the need for long runs of conveyors. Products such as the Fetch RollerTop create a virtual conveyor– which is easily modifiable, extendable, and frees up large volumes of floor space which might otherwise have been blocked with fixed infrastructure conveyor runs.

How to get started with autonomous mobile robots

Start by making contact with CSSI Technologies, Pennsylvania-based experts in AMR solutions for your supply chain management operations. The warehouse and manufacturing operation experts at CSSI will work with you to find your killer AMR application and will propose AMR solutions from leading robotics providers to fit your business. Contact us today to start with AMRs.

Your IT Team’s Android Secret Support Weapon

As mobile computers proliferate in our organizations, businesses quickly come to depend on the availability and reliability of these devices. Handhelds which aren’t ready to go at the opening bell, or which are riddled with inconsistent and confusing configuration, can quickly become expensive, resulting in costly errors, missed deadlines, and worker frustrations.

The Android Device OS Requires a Ready-to-Update Mentality

Just as critical, the rise of the now-standard Android enterprise operating system results in a drumbeat of patches and upgrades which arrive much more frequently than past Windows updates. Your organization must be able to keep up, or you risk becoming susceptible to security risks. Corporate IT teams are often insufficiently staffed to handle these new responsibilities.

For these reasons, CSSI created Device Lifecycle Management, a service which removes the burden of mobile computer configuration and upgrade from your IT team:

How CSSI Lifecycle Management Support Helps

Lifecycle Management is a bundle of services which enable you to outsource mobile device management (MDM) to CSSI. The program can be adjusted to fit your needs, but typically includes:

• Maintain managed device configuration standards
• Simplify Android device deployment
• Ease the process of post-repair handheld redeployment
• Manage Android OS updates
• Secure Android device data
• Enable remote troubleshooting

Android Lifecycle management reduces the risk that you will miss key updates, and ensures that mobile computers are deployed matching approved standard configurations. This simplifies training and improves productivity, while also improving security.

How To Learn More About CSSI Lifecycle Management for Android

Contact CSSI to discuss options for our management of your mobile device fleet. Our team will be happy to discuss our device management program and capabilities.

What are the Best ROI Workflows to Address with AMRs?

It seems like every forward-thinking company is looking for potential ways to utilize autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for manufacturing, internal logistics, and supply chain. Warehouse automation is an attainable way to dramatically improve your efficiency. But how do you decide on your first applications for autonomous mobile robots?

There are several material handling workflows which have been found to produce excellent payback when addressed with AMRs. Keep in mind that your benefits may come from several areas:

• AMRs reduce human travel time, allowing you to reduce or repurpose your current employees to higher-value work
• AMRs provide greater dependability – AMRs don’t call out sick and follow established processes
• AMRs improve safety – eliminating potential expensive forklift or lifting accidents

Where To Start Warehouse Automation With AMRs?

If you are searching for your first use of AMRs, we recommend finding an autonomous robot application which is both a) acceptable ROI, and b) easy to implement. Note that the highest-returning workflow may not be the best candidate for your first mobile robotics project if it is complex. You would benefit by having a successful learning implementation under your belt prior to tackling a more complicated, high-integration project. You’ll be able to confidently build on that success in more complex future projects.

Did you know? There are significant differences between an autonomous mobile robot and an automated guided vehicle (AMR vs AGV). Refer to our explainer to learn how artificial intelligence makes the AMR the more choice.

The most-attractive use case for AMRs will differ between businesses. Ultimately the ROI will be determined by the benefit derived from each AMR action multiplied by the frequency with which that action occurs. The common application candidates for AMRs are listed below. Think about where these robotic applications may apply to your business, and connect with CSSI to review further.

Manufacturing Applications for AMRs

• Removal of waste material / recycling – No need to tie up human workers shuttling bins of waste and recycling from the production line to the dumpster. AMRs can easily be programmed to automate these actions.
• Line-side delivery – Are your production lines reliably supplied? Downtime is expensive. AMRs can perform material transport and drop-off raw materials and supplies as needed right at the workcell.
• Bus routes – Do you rely on material handlers to continuously shuttle between work cells or departments on a dedicated route? This can be an ideal task for an AMR robot.
• Pull-calls – Utilizing kanban type systems which require goods to be delivered from storage when triggered? Mobile industrial robots can step in to perform this task.
• Work in process – Contemplating a conveyor belt to move work-in-process (WIP) goods between work cells, but unsure about the cost and highly fixed nature of that solution? AMRs can act as a ‘virtual’ conveyor of items between cells, without the space-consuming aspects of belts. And… with incredible flexibility for reprogramming as your needs change!

Warehousing Applications for AMRs

• Pallet moves (inbound or outbound) – If pallets are transported long distances from the dock or production areas to the warehouse, there is a potential to diminish the fork truck travel. AMRs can transport the pallets over the long distance, with fork trucks able to handle the task of put away in your storage racks.
• Directed picking – As your human pickers pick-to-tote in the distribution center, they likely spend inordinate amounts of time in transit during this order fulfillment operations. This can be dramatically enhanced by warehouse automation, by allowing the workers to position totes on carts or racks, which are then moved further along by AMRs… freeing up the worker to continue picking.
• Putaway – As make-to-stock items are produced in manufacturing, they may be moved to the warehouse by fork truck or pallet jack. This is yet another instance where AMRs can handle the distance travel, freeing up workers for other more valuable tasks.

Connect with CSSI to Further Explore AMRs

Interested in applications for autonomous mobile robots in your business? Is there a different workflow which you would like to address with autonomous mobile robot? Connect with CSSI to discuss industrial automation and warehouse automation! We can work with you to review your potential mobile robotics use cases and identify great ROI candidates.

Manufacturing Advisory Council Publishes Guide To Greater Pennsylvania Manufacturing Competitiveness

September, 2022 – The Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council has just published an insightful new guide, the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook. This is a must-read for all participants in the PA manufacturing economy. This guide was created after detailed discussion and research by the Council with 500 state manufacturers. It aspires to provide insights and direction for continued economic development, innovation, and growth in the state’s sizable manufacturing base.

Manufacturing Is Significant to Pennsylvania Economic Development

Pennsylvania is a significant US domestic manufacturing power. The manufacturing sector is the state’s largest (13% of output), and manufacturing employment is significant, accounting for 9.5% of state workers. Also important: Pennsylvania manufacturers employ workers earning 33% more than average. Further, manufacturing jobs support 2.5 other workers on average, further amplifying the impact.

Smart Adoption of Technology Can Play a Role in Competitiveness

PA manufacturers face a number of challenges today. Among these are rising production volumes, customer expectations for ever-faster delivery, and hiring and employee retention challenges which complicate the days of operations managers everywhere. Smart adoption of the right manufacturing technology has the potential to solve all of these problems. PA Manufacturers agree: 90% are hiring, and 90% are also looking to technologies such as automation:

Automation is particularly attractive because it acts as a force-multiplier, allowing the firm to maximize the impact of each employee, even as it improves worker safety and job satisfaction. Consider the benefits of picking or line-side delivery via warehouse robot. The worker’s productive time is maximized, and wasted travel is reduced.

Forward-thinking companies are exploring opportunities to achieve significant ROI through technology, even while reducing hiring, training, and retention headaches.

Download the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook Here:

How CSSI Can Help Manufacturing Companies

CSSI Technologies, based in Lewisburg, PA, provides a range of hardware and software solutions which support Pennsylvania manufacturers in improving worker productivity, raising accuracy and visibility, and improving customer service – in manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, shipping, and more.

• Handheld computers and tablet PCs
• Autonomous mobile robots improve worker productivity and reduce hiring pressure
• Thermal printers
• WMS and other custom software solutions

Further, CSSI provides services such as Device Lifecycle Management and Mobile Device Management (MDM) which reduce the burden of managing, securing, and configuring mobile devices.

With years of experience supporting manufacturing and warehousing customers, CSSI brings to your team an industry perspective and technology expertise which can rocket your business forward.

Contact CSSI To Boost Manufacturing Competitiveness

To discuss improvement of your manufacturing competitiveness, contact CSSI to start a conversation. We look forward to speaking you about your operation!

Need additional state assistance with your manufacturing operation? Contact PA’s network of industrial resource centers for connection with support and resources.

Interested in more reading? Check out Zebra’s insightful Manufacturing Vision Study , for a detailed perspective on where global and American manufacturing leaders plan to invest for competitive advancement:

The Rising Need for Data and Device Security

Today’s warehouses can’t compromise on data security. Cyber criminals are smarter, and the costs of hacks and data theft are higher. IT experts recommend deploying security patches as soon as they are available, and keeping your OS up-to-date with the latest version.

But this is hard to implement in practice as your fleets of mobile computers become larger and spread out over larger facilities, or multiple facilities in ever-broader geographical areas. Not to mention – your IT teams have limited time and many competing responsibilities. CSSI Technologies can help! CSSI’s Device Lifecycle Management program enables you to remove the burden of managing, updating, and deploying mobile computers. Or consider LifeGuard for Android, a Zebra service which protects Zebra devices with automatic updates and patches.

Zebra LifeGuard for Android

Zebra’s LifeGuard enables you to protect your Zebra devices with automatic updates and patches. This makes it easier for you manage updates, and provides a user-friendly program to simplify your overview of your fleet.

• Maximize enterprise mobile user productivity and minimize IT complexities over the lifespan of Zebra mobile device.
• LifeGuard delivers regular OS updates required to stay on top of emerging security threats, while always allowing you to migrate to new versions at your own pace.
• Beginning with Android 11, you get more control over the management of security updates through new options — including a new Auto Update feature, Dynamic Packaging to update with a single smaller file, plus support for Google A/B streaming to update silently in the background.

Contact CSSI

To learn more about LifeGuard for Android or Device Lifecycle Management, please contact CSSI.

Autonomous Mobile Robots Drive Operations Productivity

In these days of labor shortages and rising expenses, warehouses and fulfillment centers are seeking technologies which can address these problems as well as the challenge of rising operating volumes. The Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR), or warehouse robot, is the perfect technology to address supply chain pain points. Warehouse automation augments your human staff, enabling them to focus on higher-value activities, and reducing the amount of manned travel in your facility.

So what is an Autonomous Mobile Robot? Autonomous Mobile Robots are freely operating material handling devices which can be quickly trained to perform a broad variety of material movement tasks. The AMR uses a sophisticated mix of sensors and cameras to ‘see’, and powerful obstacle detection artificial intelligence enables it to safely operate independent of human guidance. The AMR’s action can be triggered by user input (a barcode, button press, or RFID signal), and will proceed to perform the task as directed. Examples of tasks for warehouse robotics might include pallet movement, warehouse case or rack movement, support for human workers in picking and order fulfillment, material handling, ‘virtual conveyor belt’ functionality, or removal of trash/recycling.

How Do AMRs Differ from AGVs?

An Autonomous Robot navigates its way through your facility using a mix of sensors and cameras. This is different than the older Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), which travels along pre-defined routes typically demarked by wires, magnetic strips, or sensors. Autonomous Guided Vehicles can be effective, but they are less ‘smart’. AGVs take more effort to setup because of the infrastructure requirements, which also means that they are less flexible and versatile – changing functions or routes can mean remarking the facility to accommodate.

Autonomous Mobile Robots, on the other hand, do not require wires or magnetic strips to be installed in the facility. Truly autonomous, the AMR provides flexible industrial automation of critical supply chain workflows. If its preferred path is blocked by obstacles, the AMR can find a new path. Also, AMRs can quickly be assigned new tasks and routes without modifications to the physical infrastructure of the plant. AMRs will also meet safety requirements – they are able to safely work alongside people, maintaining a situational awareness which enables the robots to avoid hazards.

When To Consider Autonomous Mobile Robots

The Autonomous Mobile Robot market is growing very fast as companies seek gains through warehouse automation. AMR deployments aren’t the solution in every case, but they can be extremely impactful in situations where:

• Labor shortages and rising costs for material handling are concerning to you
• You have frequently repeated movements of items or materials
• The beginning and ending locations for the material movement is well defined
• Your people lose meaningful amounts of time by transporting items around your facility
• You are burdened with a stationery and inflexible conveyor system, and would prefer flexibility

Consult With CSSI On Autonomous Mobile Robots

The Pennsylvania-based team at CSSI is available to discuss your challenges and potential use cases for industrial mobile robots. Please contact us to discuss an AMR solution today.

Are Your Mobile Scanner Batteries Ready For the Workday?

Proactive maintenance, rather than reactive crisis management, is the key to a successful operating environment. Batteries, in particular, are a frequent point of failure. When it comes to managing growing fleets of mobile computers and rugged tablets, it gets harder and harder to stay ahead of battery power problems. Luckily, CSSI has smart battery management system solutions which allow you to quickly identify rechargeable battery issues before they become a crisis and interrupt a work shift.

The Shocking High Cost of Warehouse Downtime

Studies show that 1 hour of unplanned downtime can cost up to $10,000 per hour… and about 45% of downtime is a direct result of hardware failure.

Several Root Causes of Mobile Device Battery Failures

Process Failures

Most commonly, devices are not able to function as required during the work day simplyl because procedures were not followed:

• Mobile units were not properly connected to chargers
• Mobile units have gone missing and have not been returned to the correct location

Equipment Failures

Less frequently, devices are not able to function due to problems or deterioration with the equipment itself:

• Battery life is nearing its end, and remaining battery capacity is insufficient – charge can no longer be accepted due to poor battery health
• Battery charging units have gone bad and are no longer capable of charging
• Mobile devices themselves have some issue which impacts rate of battery drain or charge

Smart Mobile Device Battery Management

Whether battery pack problems are due to process or equipment failure, smart mobile device battery management software can help.

• Smart battery software provides notice of charging status across the entire device fleet – quickly identifying devices with low battery level
• Proactively notify teams of units with poor rechargeable battery health and low charge capacity, indicating that batteries need to be replaced or retired
• Provide notice of devices which have gone missing and are not properly accounted for
• Produce metrics which allow you to predict battery power life cycles and proactively mitigate downtime so you can reallocate time spent searching for uncharged batteries to more important tasks.

Contact CSSI For Mobile Device Battery Management

To discuss mobile battery monitor options with CSSI, please contact us . We would be glad to work with you to discussy battery performance tools to improve your mobile device uptime.

Mobile Device Charging Cabinets From CSSI

Warehouse activity moves faster every day. To ensure that your fleet of Zebra rugged mobile computers are reliably charged and ready to go when the work shift starts, CSSI is pleased to offer you Zebra Intelligent Cabinets, a comprehensive multi device charging station solution to maintaining and getting the most out of your technology investment. This is both a charging solution to ensure that your electronic devices are ready to begin each shiftwith a full charge as well as a device management tool which presents critical metrics and warnings to you.

What are Zebra Intelligent Cabinets?

• Standard modular cabinets. Use one cabinet, or use multiple units.
• Adjustable capacity can store up to 100 devices
• Automate battery charging for multiple devices – use your existing charger fleet if desired
• Combine with Zebra’s powerful Operational Intelligence to gain insights into connected device usage and battery
• Secure: charging locker secures your devices with access only for authorized individuals
• Be aware if a mobile device has gone missing; create accountability for users who check out devices

Are Your Devices Ready To Go For the Entire Shift?

If your mobile devices are not ready to last an entire shift, it can get expensive: every hour of downtime can cost thousands of dollars. Did your handhelds make it back to their charging stations at the end of the prior shift? Are batteries nearing end-of-life and increasingly prone to failure? Zebra’s Intelligent Cabinets can help, tapping smart intelligence and device metrics to keep you a step ahead of problems.

Inquire About Zebra Intelligent Cabinets

To learn more about Intelligent Cabinets for mobile computer storage and charging, please contact CSSI today.

Mobile powered carts dramatically boost productivity and reduce errors in your warehouse or manufacturing facility by eliminating wasted travel. Also, a computer cart or battery powered cart for a label printer reduces the opportunities for mistakes and omissions that result when workers can not immediately access labels and information… improving your customer service and inventory accuracy.

Top 5 Reasons Companies Love a Mobile Powered Printer Cart

1. Faster dock-to-stock – reduce cycle times during material handling
2. Trimmed payroll – get more done with fewer people in the distribution center with an industrial powered printer carts
3. Reduce mislabeling – accuracy is improved when labels can be printed and applied cart-side via a mobile printer, reducing expensive customer returns
4. Mobile workstation – reduce employee travel waste and boost time-on-task with portable power
5. Minimal infrastructure footprint – mobile powered carts are easy to implement and don’t require software changes and infrastructure upgrades

CSSI Offers Industrial Powered Printer Carts for Distribution and Manufacturing

CSSI offers durable powered cart solutions from Newcastle Systems, a leader in the mobile cart industry. Newcastle mobile carts are built for flexibility and customization to your specific needs, and accommodate a variety of configurations and workstation accessories. Powered by long-lasting and easy to use battery packs, these mobile workstation solutions can be the backbone your workflow needs. Contact us to learn more.

Traditionally, the focal depth of industrial barcode scanners was optimized and somewhat limited. Warehouse users would be equipped with a scanner with a scan range judged to be appropriate for their typical tasks. Unfortunately, that meant that when users were confronted with a scan distance outside of ‘normal’ range, they would have to take additional steps in order to make the scan. In a fast-paced warehouse environment, every disruption translates into lower productivity… but that was the typical reality, and thus was expected.

Fortunately, continuing development in the technology used in scanners has resulted in a new breed of extended range scanners, which immediately create a new warehouse standard. Why choose extended range barcode scanners?

What The Terms Mean

• Short range scanner: typically offers a close range barcode label scan distance — mere inches or a few feet
• Long range scanner: refers to scanners working best at a distance of 30 feet or more
• Extended range scanner: Refers to scanners able to accommodate both short-range and long range barcode scan distances.

Benefits of Choosing An Extended Range Barcode Scanner

Short-range and long range barcode scanners are very good at their specific tasks. However, they are suboptimal if your warehouse operators need to scan inventory at a variety of distances. Users will lose valuable time and productivity will suffer. For example, they may have to dismount from a fork truck in order to get within scan range of some barcode labels. Or, they may be faced with a nearby object which won’t scan until they back up – again, losing productivity and increasing frustration.

Extended range rugged barcode scanners are a ‘best of both worlds’ solution for inventory management. Benefits include:

• Saves time and enables faster, more consistent scanning
• Allows warehouses to standardize on a specific device instead of needing to keep a variety of scanner types available. Consolidating to an extended range scanner simplifies procurement, deployment, and device management
• Simplifies training – the warehouse team no longer needs to learn which device to use in which situation

Modern scanners offer advanced capture technology and can accommodate a variety of barcode symbologies (1d barcode, 2d barcode, QR code, data matrix, and more). Please note that the realized barcode reader scan distance will be impacted by the barcode label size and resolution of your thermal printer.

Interested in 5 more reasons to invest in an extended range scanner?

Need Guidance On Barcode Scanner Selection?

The experienced team at CSSI is ready to guide you in the selection of the optimal data capture hardware for your specific inventory management and data capture needs. Contact CSSI to speak to a knowledgeable industrial barcode scanner professional.