Warehouse optimization & logistics consulting – Image: Zoom Team|Shutterstock.com
According to a survey of logistics experts in Germany, employed in logistics operations or IT services, a majority (38%) stated that automation and robotics are highly relevant to their company, and for a further 24%, they are very highly relevant. Only 9% and 4%, respectively, considered it to be of little to very little relevance.
Expert survey on automation in the logistics industry: How do you assess the relevance of automation/robotics for your company?
- 1 Very high relevance – 24%
- 2. High relevance – 38%
- 3. Moderate relevance – 22%
- 4 Low relevance – 9%
- 5 Very low relevance – 4%
- I don't know – 1%
- No information provided – 1%
Relevance of automation/robotics in the logistics industry in Germany – Image: Xpert.Digital
Another example is the relevance of drones in logistics. For 36% of respondents, drones have very little relevance, while for 21% and 22% respectively, they have moderate to low relevance. Technologies like RFID, drones, and other, undoubtedly innovative, ideas should always be kept in mind, but it's also important to assess whether they make sense for one's own company and deliver added value. It also depends on the specific question being asked and, above all, on the industry or product type.
- If required, we can also provide market figures and forecasts for over 150 countries.
- We offer organizational and planning ideas, all the way to turnkey solutions.
Automation and robotics are ongoing topics in logistics
Automation is only part of the solution. Global markets are also constantly changing. A fixed strategy and long-term logistics planning are not possible without modular and flexible agitation models.
Smart Storage: The Race of Logistics Robots
Smart Storage: Warehouse Robots – Logistics robots in the factory or warehouse – Phonlamai Photo|Shutterstock.com
Optimizing warehouse logistics is a core business activity for most companies, not just in the mail-order sector – and at the same time, it's usually one of their biggest cost drivers. Due to its complexity, improvements in this area are among the most difficult and often most expensive tasks companies face. To streamline processes for efficiency, warehouse automation using automated material flow and conveyor systems, where goods are stored in state-of-the-art racking systems, is one option.
More information here:
With over 1,000 articles published, we cannot present all topics here. Therefore, you will find a small selection of our work here, and we would be delighted if we have sparked your interest in learning more about us:
What makes Xpert special? How does Xpert differ from the others?
Digital Pioneer Xpert.Digital
Digitalization is the driving force, logistics the key component. How we secure the infrastructure of our key industries will be crucial for the future!
It all started in 1988 with application-oriented knowledge processing, which dealt, among other things, with AI.
Industry development: From testing machines and test systems, we evolved through logistics/intralogistics to the photovoltaic industry.
Digital Pioneer : The development ranges from the beginnings of search engine optimization (SEO), through the first content management systems (CMS), to social media with projects totaling over 17 million followers ( see Social Media PDF Library ).
Xpert.Digital is an industry hub focusing on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics, and photovoltaics. With our 360° business development solution, we support renowned companies from new business development to after-sales service; market intelligence and smarketing are part of our digital toolkit.
Over the decades, we have developed comprehensive expertise in the areas of smart grid/city/factory, photovoltaics, and logistics/intralogistics. With the EU Green Deal, the solar panel mandate for new buildings , and autonomous power supply (see CO2 tax), we can present ourselves to you as a partner and a sustainably grown company that hasn't just jumped on this bandwagon due to recent headlines.
Currently, you'll find over 1,000 articles on these topics here. If you'd like to get to know us, we cordially invite you to read these articles and our over 300 PDFs on various topics free of charge.
- Are you looking for information and data on specific topics or issues and don't have the time or patience to search for these articles and PDFs yourself?
- Are you looking for help and support with your logistics? Warehouse optimization? Strategic planning? E-commerce experts?
Smart Factory – the future of production logistics
Smart Factory: Transport robots in the factory or warehouse – Image: Xpert.Digital / Andrey Suslov|Shutterstock.com
Fully automated high-bay warehouses, robots that navigate independently through the warehouses and technically sophisticated conveyor systems – in warehouse logistics, constant technological progress is tangible at every point.
But what about production logistics, where a significant portion of industrial value creation takes place? According to several manufacturers, there is still considerable untapped potential here. One approach is the intelligent automation of material flow, which helps to move goods even faster from warehouses to workstations and production areas. This is precisely where the two companies Kardex Remstar and Servus Intralogistics come in, having developed a new solution under the banner of Smart Factory to optimize their customers' internal production logistics. The primary goal is to intelligently integrate warehousing and retrieval with assembly and production, thereby achieving a fully automated material flow between all storage, production, and assembly areas.
More information here:
Same Day Delivery
Same Day Delivery (SDD) – Image: @shutterstock | Tetiana Yurchenko, ewart graphics
Same Day Delivery (SDD) is a type of courier express parcel service that delivers parcels faster, ideally within one calendar day, or within a scheduled time window.
The supply chain of a courier, express, and parcel service typically requires an overnight delivery to deliver consolidated shipments within planned routes and a reasonable onward journey. Same-day delivery offers direct routes, with the primary focus on on-time delivery rather than ideal transport network structures. Since long, interregional journeys are not feasible, same-day delivery is only offered within city logistics in major metropolitan areas and is more expensive than standard delivery. It is primarily intended for the shipment of food, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, and other urgently needed goods.
More information here:
Robotics in warehouse logistics – why it's not (quite) ready yet
Robotics in warehouse logistics – Source: Shutterstock
For some time now, the intralogistics world has been swept by a wave of automation, originating in the early days of Industry 4.0 . There's a lot of talk about robots, which are often used synonymously with automation. This isn't entirely accurate, as the most important prerequisite for robotics is that the systems possess artificial intelligence. While automation relies on standardized processes, robotics also incorporates variable workflows. These are processes that are particularly important for the storage and order picking of heterogeneous product ranges. However, there's still a long way to go before the challenges of handling differently sized items with varying textures are solved and robotic order picking runs smoothly.
Initial steps have been successfully taken. Dynamic storage systems already offer excellent prerequisites for future full automation. Currently, the process typically involves goods being automatically delivered via conveyor technology and then placed into assigned trays by order pickers. From there, the control software transports and stores them in their designated location within the vertical or horizontal storage lift. When an item is requested, the system presents it to the warehouse worker at their central workstation, following the ergonomic goods-to-person principle. Long distances are eliminated, and the modern software ensures that the correct parts are always retrieved. Support technologies such as pick-by-light increase the precision of access to nearly 100 percent while simultaneously accelerating the process. The order picker then removes the item and prepares it for shipping or further processing.
More information here:
B2B Solar Systems and Photovoltaic Solutions & Consulting
B2B Solar Systems and Photovoltaic Solutions & Consulting
What are your advantages?
- A personal contact person with individual advice. This also applies to on-site consultations and site visits.
- We bring them together with long-standing solar experts and manufacturers in the industry.
- This saves you time searching for suitable experts.
- The consultation services are non-binding for you!
- All services tailored to your wishes.
- As consultants and solution providers, we are available to answer all your questions and help with any problems you may have.
- They have the projects and the space, we have the solutions. From mounting systems to energy storage and inverters, right through to the modules.
- Should something not be suitable, we will develop project-specific special solutions for you.
- If you wish, we can organize your photovoltaic projects and the construction site for you. Whether it's frame or module mounting, DC/AC installation, or renovations.
- As your partner, we support you in planning module layout, calculating shading, planning and occupancy of strings, as well as in creating plans and drawings.
- We help and support with planning and structural calculations.
- Safety is our top priority. Comprehensive service is equally important. We can provide a wide range of services, from structural analysis and snow load assessments to acceptance and damage reports.
- We make your life a little easier and give you back time.
- We will help and support you in your work.
- We combine quality with effectiveness.
More information here:
Industry 4.0 – Transport logistics in transition
Industry 4.0: Smart Factory – Smart Logistics – Image: Xpert.Digital / Phonlamai Photo|Shutterstock.com
Industry 4.0 – a term that has recently become a buzzword, generating much discussion in industry and politics. In its truest sense, Industry 4.0 refers to a future-oriented project of the German Federal Government, which envisions the close integration of IT and manufacturing technology to make the country fit for future challenges.
According to the strategy paper, the fourth industrial revolution, driven by the rapid development of the internet, will lead to a merging of the real and virtual worlds, ultimately resulting in the Internet of Things (IoT). Here, the products or components themselves network with other items, users, or means of transport and communicate with each other to generate seamless and even more efficient processes.
A sign of the shift towards Industry 4.0 is the increasing importance of networking IT systems embedded in production and logistics processes, both with each other and with the internet in general (so-called cyber-physical systems, CPS). The ever-increasing and accelerating development of automation and integration in industry is accompanied by the creation of increasingly intelligent monitoring and control technologies, enabling companies to manage and optimize their entire value creation networks in near real-time. This development will ultimately lead to the implementation of fully autonomous decision-making processes in production and transportation.
One step towards this goal is the self-learning, intelligent factory (Smart Factory). The focus here is on developing intelligent, self-regulating production systems and processes, as well as implementing networked production facilities that communicate with each other independently.
More information here:
📦 Logistics consulting for industry and mechanical engineering - for logistics managers and warehouse managers
Do you need expert support in implementing your requirements? Do you have questions about Smart Factory, Smart Logistics, or digitalization?
🏬 Warehouse optimization and automation for industry, production and trade
Automating warehouses and supply chains is a key element of warehouse optimization. We can help you with that.
🛒 E-commerce warehousing solutions for returns, fast shipping (same-day delivery), and error-free order picking
E-commerce has specific requirements, and competition is constantly intensifying. It's no coincidence that e-commerce is considered a driving force behind market changes. Our strength lies in our digital expertise, which enables us to deliver innovative solutions and implementations.
Logistics consultants: Take advantage of our Xpert.Plus service for your logistics consulting, warehouse planning or warehouse management – for Kassel, Hagen, Potsdam and Saarbrücken
Xpert.Plus is a project of Xpert.Digital. We have many years of experience in supporting and consulting on warehouse solutions and in logistics optimization, which we combine under Xpert.Plus in a large network.
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.
You can contact me by filling out the contact form below or simply call me on +49 7348 4088 965 (Munich) .
I'm looking forward to our joint project.
Write to me
Xpert.Digital – Konrad Wolfenstein
Xpert.Digital is a hub for industry focusing on digitalization, mechanical engineering, logistics/intralogistics and photovoltaics.
With our 360° Business Development solution, we support renowned companies from new business to after-sales.
Market intelligence, smarketing, marketing automation, content development, PR, mail campaigns, personalized social media and lead nurturing are part of our digital tools.
You can find more information at: www.xpert.digital – www.xpert.solar – www.xpert.plus
Keep in touch
