FAQ
What differentiates an automated warehouse from a traditional one?
Traditional warehouses rely on manual travel and paper or RF instructions; automated sites use robots and conveyors to present goods to operators, slashing walk time and errors.
How is the ROI of automation calculated?
A business case weighs capital costs against labour savings, space avoidance, higher throughput, reduced inventory buffers, and service-level gains—typically targeting a 3- to 5-year payback.
Can automation handle SKU and volume volatility?
Yes—modular shuttle lanes, scalable AutoStore ports, and robot-as-a-service (RaaS) models let operators flex capacity without long lead times or permanent capex.
What safety measures come with automation?
LiDAR and vision sensors stop robots when humans enter geofenced zones; controlled-access mezzanines, interlocked gates and redundant e-stops maintain compliance with ISO 3691-4 and local regulations.
Does automation eliminate warehouse jobs?
It changes them: travel-intensive picking roles decline, but demand rises for technicians, data analysts, process engineers and team leaders who oversee continuous improvement.
