Tag Archives: automation

Feature More than ever, companies in material handling and supply chain are prioritizing improvements in worker safety and the overall worker experience. Investing in an arsenal of cutting-edge technology is a major strategy they are employing to keep workers safe, reduce the physical and mental toll of their jobs, transform training and empower workers by giving them a stronger voice ...

Feature Organizations can gain more value from these collaborations when they understand the capabilities and limitations of the technology and of the people who work with it. BY MARY LOU JAY It’s been a milestone year for artificial intelligence (AI), with generative AI technology like ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and Bing Chat capturing the public’s attention and generating a great deal ...

MHI Solutions Community BY CHRISTIAN DOW, MHI EXECUTIVE VP OF MEMBERSHIP AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP With the current state of the labor market—and the ever-increasing need for efficiency in operations—questions about making warehouse automation successful abound. Plenty of folks are feeling pressured, yet are still on the fence about what to do, how to do it and even when. As Matt ...

Product Spotlight BY DONALD DUNPHY It is a modern mantra: “Technology will never be as bad as it is today.” In other words, as transformative as automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies already are to supply chain matters, they can only get faster, smarter, more efficient and more cost-effective from here. “In terms of speed of processing in the ...

Feature Retailers, manufacturers and distributors are increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence-powered software to aggregate and analyze data for forecasting, allocation and replenishment planning. BY CAROL MILLER, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MHI If you’ve ever been frustrated because your favorite brand of ketchup is sold-out at the grocery store or had to postpone a home improvement project because some of the key materials ...

Feature BY MARY LOU JAY ISTOCK.COM/METAMORWORKS When companies introduce new automation and digital technology into their supply chains, they anticipate it will provide benefits like lower costs and increased production. But they’re also concerned about the potential for business disruption during transition. Will they be able to get their products out the door on time? Can key staff members support ...

Feature Autonomous mobile robots can cut time out of labor-intensive fulfillment tasks. When combined with warehouse software, AMRs can improve an operation’s productivity even more. BY SARA PEARSON SPECTER MONOPOLY919/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM With operations increasingly unable to staff adequate labor to achieve their goals for higher throughput and productivity, more companies are turning to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). These intelligent mobility platforms ...

Feature Now is the time to prioritize data and visibility BY NICOLE NELSON BLUE PLANET STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Autonomous planning is increasingly being embraced as a supply chain solution to augment the ongoing worker shortage. Requiring a closed-loop planning approach utilizing a fully automated technology platform, autonomously integrated systems have the ability to oversee and control supply chains from end to end, ...

Industry Focus Automated solutions streamline operations in the pharmaceutical and health-products industry. BY NICK FORTUNA Photo provided by ABB Robotics Mark Cuban, the billionaire entrepreneur and television personality, made big news last January when his Cost Plus Drug Co. launched its online pharmacy, selling generic medications wholesale to retailers and directly to consumers paying in cash. By limiting its profit ...

The persistent labor shortage is forcing many companies to accelerate the automation of their manufacturing plants, warehouses and distribution centers. This past spring, ABB and Guidance Automation each surveyed executives in the supply chain industry to see how they’re using technology to address manpower issues. Here are some key findings: AUTOMATION TRENDS IN THE LABOR MARKET 62% Respondents who expect ...