We dive into the value that automated solutions provide, from increased operational efficiency and performance to reduced human error.

Across the manufacturing and engineering space, the value of automated solutions continues to grow. Offering a range of benefits including increases in operational efficiency and performance, and reductions in human error, automated solutions are already being successfully utilized across a variety of sectors, including pharmaceutical, ecommerce, and food and beverage industries.

Carefully considering three important areas around leveraging automation can help de-risk decision-making and drive the successful implementation of an appropriate and intelligent automation solution; one that can underpin productivity improvements and enhance future commercial success.

We live in a world where convenience is king. Changing consumer habits, accelerated by the pandemic, have led to the creation of new convenience-based markets effecting third party logistics (3PL), e-grocery, and e-commerce fulfilment in general. One example that has seen tremendous growth in this arena is ready-to-cook or eat meal kits.

Companies such as Gousto, HelloFresh and Mindful Chef offer the convenience of home delivered, ready measured, fresh ingredient boxed recipes. In fact, growth in the sector has been precipitous and it was estimated to be worth around £1bn in 2020, up from £420 million in 2017*. Alongside the growth in this market, businesses are keen to leverage intelligence-based automation to underpin often complex picking, placing, and packaging processes.

Automated, Intelligent pick and place solutions can be a key strategic component helping to drive productivity and ensure the often-intricate task of compiling goods for delivery is managed with swiftness, efficiency, and accuracy.

Primary considerations for successful intelligent pick & place automation deployment.

When developing a strategy to aid picking and packaging processes, adopting the following principles will help to ensure a successful and appropriate solution is implemented.

1. Start small. Like many business decisions, the move to embrace automation across production lines and packaging processes is important. Companies may find it difficult to gain internal approval and traction for larger scale and cost automation projects. In this case, starting small and carefully considering the first priorities for automation help make integration projects manageable and measurable. A good example within the e-grocery or 3PL space could be a smaller kitting operation, or “sub-process,” that will feed into the larger fulfilment line eventually.  This could be picking 3 products from a bulk bin that will be bagged, and then added later to a certain kit as its own single SKU. This allows for careful analysis of performance and productivity contributions before further investment is made in additional automated solutions.  The most effective automation systems evolve over time and continue to build upon previous automation implementations.

2. Lower the risk. While the integration of intelligent automated solutions in picking and packing processes has proven to be successful for many companies, there remains a risk with all investments of this type. To build resilience to potential risks, it makes sense to assess outcomes and ‘fail quickly’ if necessary.  This means remedial actions can be taken without delay and systems altered or replaced without significant loss of workforce and cost resources. Constant evaluation can ensure the system integration is doing what it is meant to, and an in-depth efficiency analysis may help deliver improved results if proper scrutiny and groundwork is in place.

3. Collaborate with automation system experts. The right implementation plan for automated solutions requires the correct research, preparation and strategy before decisions are taken to proceed. For organizations without the in-house expertise to make the right assessments, collaborating with an experienced partner would help fill those resource deficiencies and ensure the best possibility for success.  Such external experts can objectively review current operations, spot bottlenecks, and recommend solutions that will deliver the results being sought. Additionally, while reviewing the core application, they may uncover additional automation opportunities elsewhere that could have a profound impact upon productivity.

For many, the ultimate goal is doing more with the resources they have, so careful consideration and assessment of the overreaching automation strategy upfront will help ensure the right investment decisions are made. Collaborating with automation partners can help make this happen.

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