We offer
- Independent and professional analysis of your requirements for AutoStore systems (and other automatic small parts storage systems)
- Creation and support of your tender for AutoStore and review of offers
- Problem analysis of AutoStore systems during operation
AutoStore is the world’s most successful automated system for storage and goods-to-man picking of small parts. The system is sold and installed worldwide by more than 20 different distributors. It is popular mainly because of its high storage density – AutoStore is based on the principle of block storage – and its high reliability and availability. The manufacturer of the system, a Norwegian company of the same name, has also successfully shortened the planning and installation process through a high degree of standardization and has “productified” the system, which has made distribution through the various distributors (such as Swisslog, Element Logic, Hörmann, etc.) possible. The relative ease of the technology and the charm of the simplicity of the system make AutoStore appealing to many different industry segments.
The advantage for AutoStore of having the system distributed and installed by (competing) distributors, and thus outsourcing the project risk, is accompanied by the disadvantage for AutoStore’s customers that distributors have varying degrees of expertise and the quality of consulting services in the planning process is highly variable. Often the planning process and especially the dimensioning of the plant are comparatively rudimentary. Some distributors also offer little or no useful assistance for operating the equipment, for example, if the hoped-for equipment performance is not achieved.
As a result, many AutoStore installations fall far short of their potential. Customers therefore pay more than necessary and get less performance out of it than they could.
Our expertise is based on numerous projects in which we have supported customers in the planning and operation of AutoStore systems. In addition, we have undergone the official training as AutoStore consultants directly at AutoStore.
Independent and professional analysis of your requirements
AutoStore is flexible and straightforward, but does not fit all logistical requirements. We can help you decide whether AutoStore or another storage technology (classic stacker cranes, single or multi-level shuttles, Exotec Skypod…) fits your requirements.
To do this, we take stock of your warehouse processes and perform a detailed data analysis. Based on the results, we can help you decide on the right storage system and, if you wish, support you in the next steps.
By the way, we may well advise you against installing an AutoStore warehouse (or an automated small parts warehouse in general) if we think it would not be an economical solution for you.
Creation and Support of your Tender for AutoStore
When you decide to install an automated small parts warehouse, you are making an investment decision of considerable magnitude – usually several million euros are involved. For this, you want to work with the best partner. This may be one of AutoStore’s many distributors (who, it is important to note, vary widely in their planning and consulting expertise) or a supplier of an entirely different system, be it shuttle systems, classic small parts storage and retrieval systems, carousels, Exotec Skypod, stow e-Scala, or one of the other block storage systems. Based on a detailed requirements analysis, we can recommend certain systems and rule out others, but often there are several options and you want to know what the market has to offer. We are happy to support you in this process with the preparation and professional monitoring of a tender and our recommendation for a bidder.
Problem Analysis of AutoStore Installations
Most AutoStore systems are technically inconspicuous and shine with high system availability. And yet many plants show that the performance achieved falls short of expectations, sometimes from the outset, sometimes only after some time in operation. The reasons for this can be manifold. For example, it may be that the “wrong” products are stored in the AutoStore, that seasonalities were not taken into account during planning, or that the container compartmentalization used leads to a different ABC distribution of bin demand than the distribution of orderlines suggested during the planning process.
The advice of many AutoStore distributors often boils down to a recommendation to purchase more warehouse robots. Sometimes this is necessary, but sometimes not. Our analyses can bring you clarity and potentially save you a lot of money.
