Smart Warehousing

Welcome to jobTopia, the leading learning and development podcast exploring innovations in business technology. This episode delves into transforming warehouses into efficient, intelligent hubs through robotics, automation, and private 5G networks, offering insights into the future of supply chain management.

Meet Varun Vashisht, VP Sales and Strategy at Trilogy NexGen

Key Takeaways

1. Automation Challenges: Businesses are striving to automate warehouses to meet the demands of rapid e-commerce delivery, such as same-day shipping. However, many lack the technological infrastructure required to implement effective automation.

2. Private 5G Networks: Private 5G networks provide low-latency, reliable connectivity for mobile warehouse operations, outperforming traditional Wi-Fi. A single 5G access point can replace eight Wi-Fi access points, reducing costs and potential points of failure.

3. Building Smart Warehouses: Private 5G solutions include rack space for the network core and ceiling-mounted access points, supporting over 100 SIM cards with built-in redundancy to ensure uninterrupted automation.

4. Operational Benefits: Automation optimizes processes like palletizing, transporting, and shrink-wrapping, enhancing space utilization and efficiency. One case study demonstrated a reduction from 24 to 10 seasonal pickers using two robots, yielding $70,000 in savings.

5. Key Applications:

• Supply Chain Visibility: Real-time monitoring of scanners, sensors, and conveyors identifies inefficiencies across warehouse operations.

• Access Control & Surveillance: Geo-fencing with 2-4 cm precision ensures compliance with safety protocols, such as PPE usage, and restricts access to designated areas.

• Asset Tracking: SIM cards in ruggedized devices enable tracking via integrated dashboards, ensuring equipment availability and reducing operational disruptions.

• Remote Diagnostics & Preventative Maintenance: Real-time data transmission predicts equipment overloads, enabling proactive maintenance scheduling to minimize downtime.

6. AI Integration: AI is being explored for exception handling and predictive maintenance, reducing reliance on human intervention by enabling systems to address issues autonomously.

7. Change Management: Adopting automation requires overcoming resistance and demonstrating return on investment. Data-driven case studies, such as the $70,000 savings, help secure buy-in, though 85% of warehouses still operate with minimal or siloed automation.

Why It Matters:

As downtime poses significant risks and rapid delivery becomes the industry standard, smart warehouses leveraging private 5G and robotics are critical for enhancing efficiency, safety, and scalability in supply chain operations.

Connect with Tony from Timpl to learn more about warehouse staffing and innovation in your plant.