TECHNOLOGY IN THE WAREHOUSE
This solution enables both technical and non-technical users to manage inventory distribution and warehouse operations through conversational language , minimizing suboptimal decisions and reducing manual time spent on tasks .
– AARTI DHAPTE , SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST AT MARKET RESEARCH FUTURE
gies . Utilizing different systems such as Jennifer™ and the Lucas Management Console , RNDC has doubled bottle picking productivity while also improving accuracy to an impressive rate of over 99 %, as stated in the case study .
“ I think that we ’ ve really helped them to grow their strategies , both in terms of acquisitions and volume ,” says Lucas Systems CMO Ken Ramoutar . “ The technology has become an important part of their business , and they really wouldn ’ t be able to grow without it .”
The Lucas Warehouse Optimization Suite , or Jennifer™ , works as the brains of RNDC ’ s warehouses . The system is at work in both the case pick and bottle pick areas , serving as an imperative part of RNDC ’ s fulfillment system .
Jennifer™ is AI-powered intelligence that optimizes and orchestrates warehouse operations . According to Ramoutar , Jennifer™ processes all the orders that come in and then distributes that work to employees out on the warehouse floor through a headset .
“ What Jennifer™ does is she instructs the workers on exactly what to pick for every customer in the most efficient way possible ,” he says . “ This system helps streamline the entire bottle picking process , allowing warehouse workers to use both hands while listening to what Jennifer™ tells them to do , without complications .”
Jennifer™ is what has helped RNDC reach an accuracy rate of 99 %. In an industry where both companies and employees are under a lot of pressure to send out accurate orders in a timely manner , this AI-powered system is helping RNDC do just that .
Aarti Dhapte , senior research analyst at Market Research Future , notes some other examples of how AI has helped streamline warehouse optimization .
“ In April 2024 , SAS developed a generative AI-powered digital assistant for warehouse space optimization , integrating SAS Viya for backend analytics ,” Dhapte says . “ This solution enables both technical and non-technical users to manage inventory distribution and warehouse operations through conversational language , minimizing suboptimal decisions and reducing manual time spent on tasks .”
Additionally , in December 2024 , Lenze , in collaboration with Fraunhofer IEM , developed an AI-based maintenance assistant for its high-bay warehouses , according to Dhapte . This system uses machine learning to predict and detect potential failures in critical components , such as drive wheels , before they cause downtime . The assistant integrates with existing sensor systems , allowing for easy retrofitting without cloud dependency , processing data through embedded and edge devices for enhanced security and efficiency .
AI STREAMLINING INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Another unique way that AI is boosting warehouse operations is through streamlining inventory management . AI-driven systems , like predictive analytics and intelligent inventory management tools , are enabling warehouses to anticipate demand and minimize overstock or stockouts , according to Michael Jung , CFO of DeepBrain AI .
“ An example of this is how machine learning algorithms analyze historical sales data and market trends to optimize stock levels , reducing wasted space and resources ,” he says . “ AIdriven solutions can cycle through large amounts of inventory to produce the desired result .”
McClellan echoes Jung ’ s statement on AI optimizing stock levels , explaining that this is done through analyzing historical data , sales trends and market conditions .
“ In the future , AI systems will become even more advanced , incorporating external factors like weather patterns , global supply chain disruptions or sudden shifts in consumer behavior to adjust inventory levels ,” says McClellan . “ This predictive capability allows businesses to respond to changes in demand proactively , ensuring smooth operations and better customer satisfaction .”
AI INCREASING WAREHOUSE SAFETY
Safety is an often-overlooked selling point of AI and technology , according to Auto-FC founder Ryan Chesterfield , especially in the beverage industry where heavy lifting is unavoidable .
“ For example , Verve Motion has developed exosuits that assist warehouse workers by reducing the physical strain of heavy lifting ,” he says .
By monitoring environmental conditions like temperature and humidity , AI systems can even predict risks associated with expiring products . If certain beverages require cold storage and the temperature rises , the system sends
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