- Strategic alignment of the warehouse in the supply chain network
- Definition of warehouse functions
- Definition of performance indicators and requirements
- Make-or-buy analysis
- Greenfield planning vs. brownfield optimisation
- Assessment of in-house operation vs. third-party operation operator models
- Review of different investment models, such as sale & lease back
Planning warehouse technology and warehouse automation
Our consulting services focus on the planning of warehouse technology and warehouse automation
- Preselection of automation options (manual, semi-automated, automated)
- Requirements specification and technical specifications
- Selection and evaluation of technical options (e.g. small parts warehouse as shuttle or with stacker crane, automated pallet warehouse or narrow aisle)
- Preparation and execution of tenders, pre-selection of technology suppliers
- Support throughout the entire tendering process up to the award of the contract
- Support during the implementation of the new warehouse technology through to optimisation during ongoing operations
Planning warehouse technology
When planning a new logistics centre or optimising an existing warehouse, the question arises as to which storage technology should be used. It is essential to assess the optimal process and determine which technology best supports this process. Furthermore, many factors play a decisive role:
- Quantity structure and storage volume
- Performance requirements (dynamics)
- Picking principles & order structures
- Picking performance
- Area and building layout
- Fire protection
- Article master data (size, weight, cubic volume)
- Storage principles
- Investment & economic efficiency
Warehouse planning with the ebp Warehouse-Designer
The right warehouse technology does not always have to be fully automated. For some processes and items, manual or semi-automated systems are still the best option. ebp-consulting always looks at the entire process first, optimises it together with you if necessary, and then finds the best solution for you.
We use the ebp Warehouse Designer to find the right solutions from a wide range of existing and new innovative warehouse technology solutions. When planning or optimising a warehouse, using the Warehouse Designer enables a huge increase in efficiency. A comprehensive knowledge database and evaluation system support the selection of the optimal solution.
The database of the Warehouse Designer contains the most common storage technologies in the areas of pallets/large load carriers and small load carriers.
Are you currently planning a new warehouse or would you like to optimise your existing one? Contact us and we will help you select the best storage technology for you.
Use of warehouse automation and its advantages
The implementation of warehouse automation has numerous advantages. By automating warehouse processes, companies can optimise their operations and minimise costs through staff savings.
The use of automation technology reduces the need for personnel, which is becoming increasingly expensive and scarce. Despite the sometimes very high investment costs, it is usually possible to reduce operating costs and achieve a faster return on investment.
In addition, automation technology helps to store large volumes in a small space and to achieve very high storage and retrieval rates as well as picking performance.
Further advantages include good scalability thanks to easy expandability and a very wide range of different technical solutions. The broad spectrum of technical innovations in recent years means that a solution can be found for almost every application.
Challenges in introducing new warehouse technology
Despite their advantages, there are also challenges associated with introducing new storage systems. One of the biggest barriers is the initial investment in technology and infrastructure. Companies are often faced with the question of which storage technology best suits their specific requirements and how it can be seamlessly integrated into existing processes. In addition, the introduction of new technologies requires training for employees to ensure that they are familiar with the new systems.
Another potential problem is the adaptability of the systems to future requirements. As markets and technologies are constantly evolving, companies must ensure that the selected warehouse technologies are flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions. Close cooperation with experienced partners such as us can help to overcome these challenges and develop tailor-made solutions that support both short-term and long-term goals.
