Automation to scale peak season
Automation will be playing a key role in peak season logistics to drive economy and efficiency says Heico Sandee, founder and CEO of Smart Robotics
The current state of the economy for distribution and warehousing is characterised by increased demand brought on by the expansion of e-commerce and increased international retail trade. Rising operational costs and space constraints are putting pressure on warehouses to optimise efficiency and implement automation solutions to stay competitive. As the industry heads into the peak holiday season, these challenges underscore the need for adaptable, technology-driven systems to meet surging consumer expectations.
1. Peak Season Demands and Evolving Trends
The last quarter’s festive frenzy is kicking into gear, and with millions of packages set to move this season, managing high volumes can place a significant strain on logistics networks, creating a need for more advanced solutions to avoid delays and bottlenecks. Black Friday and Cyber Monday, along with Thanksgiving and Christmas, put warehouse inventory planning and management to the test, while the warehousing market is under constant pressure to optimise key operational zones - inbound, storage, order picking, and outbound - to reduce delays and improve workflow. Advanced robotic picking systems and other emerging technologies are being used more and more to support these times of high demand.
Order fulfilment during peak seasons is being addressed by recent automation trends, like AI-powered robotics, which are gaining traction and allowing operators to efficiently manage multi-order packing and meet rising demand. Automation can ease the strain of the festive season, enhancing the speed and accuracy needed for international distribution. When implemented thoughtfully, these systems also contribute to worker upskilling opportunities and improved labour conditions, addressing concerns from both industry stakeholders and global observers.
2. Automated Warehouses Facilitate Global Trade by Reducing Logistical Bottlenecks
Automated warehouses play a key role in reducing logistical bottlenecks, facilitating the smooth movement of goods across borders, and creating a more reliable supply chain for businesses of all sizes. The period leading up to end-of-year, in particular, challenges warehouse managers to balance increased inventory with limited space, making careful planning essential to prevent bottlenecks like trucks arriving without room to unload. Automation enables warehouses to adapt swiftly to incoming and outgoing inventory spikes, often requiring additional staff to maintain speed and accuracy in dispatching orders on time.
Automated systems for order picking and batch inducting expedite order completion, ensuring timely shipments for international trade. These systems support economies of scale, allowing smaller businesses to compete more effectively in global markets and reducing time-to-market
for products. Automated sorting systems can prioritise shipments by destination, reducing the need for manual handling and streamlining outbound sorting, which is essential for cross-border shipments.
Vision systems and AI enhance item tracking and verification, enabling robots to handle varied product ranges found in e-commerce, from electronics to fashion. By accurately identifying items of different shapes and sizes, these technologies minimise shipping errors and maintain the quality control necessary for complex international orders.
Integrated automated solutions connected with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) improve information flow across the supply chain, offering real-time inventory and system monitoring—a critical capability for handling demand surges associated with the holiday season and global trade cycles. Through such industry-wide initiatives, automation can meet the demands of a globalised economy in ways that are practical and scalable, ensuring robust logistics support for a rapidly evolving market.
Additionally, while less visible, automated palletising and parcel handling play an integral role in outbound logistics. By organising items on pallets or into parcels for shipment, these systems optimise storage and load space, which prevents slowdowns in distribution centres managing large volumes of international shipments. This not only ensures smoother order handling but also strengthens the warehouse’s capacity to meet global demands.
3. Automation in Action: Enhancing Efficiency and Safety
As the holiday season intensifies, the last quarter places immense pressure on warehouse operations, demanding swift order processing, inventory management, and quality control. Comprehensive automation helps alleviate this demand by boosting efficiency and fostering a safer, more sustainable work environment. By handling labour-intensive tasks, automation allows warehouse teams to manage high volumes seamlessly, minimising strain on employees while maintaining safety and productivity. This balanced approach supports both worker well-being and optimal performance, crucial for meeting peak-season demands. While prioritising economy and efficiency is essential to meet the increasing demand for rapid order fulfilment, it’s equally important to recognise the role safety plays in this equation.
However, the path to effective automation isn’t without its challenges. Industry-wide collaboration among technology providers, logistics operators, and manufacturers is essential to make automation solutions more accessible and practical. These partnerships foster a unified approach that not only strengthens daily operations but also supports workers in high-demand environments.
Ultimately, automation drives both economy and efficiency within the logistics sector. By complementing human resources with advanced technology, the industry can meet the high standards of the holiday season while promoting a balanced and sustainable work environment.
