How ASRS Helps You Save Space, Time, and Labour Costs

• We know, running a warehouse or storage facility can be quite difficult. 

  
  

• You have to manage space, get work done fast, and keep labour costs under control. 

• That’s where ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems) can come to help you through this mess.

• ASRS is an intelligent storage option that uses equipment and software to move products into and out of storage instead of just relying on humans. 

  
  

• ASRS systems are used inside warehouses, manufacturing plants, and any other location where products are stored and routinely picked.

Let's review how ASRS saves company space, time, and labour costs.

1. Saving Space

• In today’s world, having space is like the Kohinoor Diamond. They are rare as well as quite expensive. This is why it is critical to use space effectively.

• In a traditional warehouse, products are mostly kept on shelves or racks with wide aisles in between. People have to walk around to pick up things. This setup wastes a lot of space, especially if you're just racking up in your horizontal space.

• But with ASRS, you can use the vertical space to solve this problem. It stores products in tall machines or moving shelves that go up instead of out. The items are brought to the worker, so there’s no need for wide walking paths. This means you can maximize the amount of product you can fit into the space.

• For example, Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) use a series of trays that move up and down within the cabinet to store goods. It uses every nook of vertical space, so even small storage lockers can afford quite a lot of items. 

• In fact, most companies can save up to 75% of the floor space by shifting to an Automated Storage and Retrieval System.

2. Saving Time

• Time is money, especially when it comes to filling an order or moving components in a production stream. 

• When you work in a traditional storage environment, the person will spend most of their time walking, looking for items, and taking them to the packing or shipping area. It is inefficient and exhausting.

• With an ASRS, the system identifies the item and delivers it to the person. It is like pushing a button and having what you wanted brought to you. This is often considered a "goods-to-person" system.

• Because workers don’t have to walk around and search, they can do their jobs much faster. Some companies report 2 to 4 times faster picking speeds after installing ASRS.

• Also, the system makes fewer mistakes. The software shows exactly which item to pick, reducing errors and returns.

3. Reducing Labour Costs

• Hiring and training warehouse workers takes time and money. Moreover, it can be difficult to find people willing to work that hard or to do repetitive work like walking long distances and lifting heavy things all day.

• ASRS reduces the need for many manual tasks. One worker can do what would have taken two or even three workers. That means your warehouse will require fewer workers or you can reallocate some of your staff to more meaningful tasks.

• It is also safer and easier for workers as they don't have to lift heavy boxes or climb ladders. Everything is brought to them at a comfortable height. This will help reduce injuries and make the workplace even more pleasant.

• When labour costs are growing or finding staff seems impossible, an Automated Storage and Retrieval System allows you to do more with less.

4. A Smart Long-Term Investment

• When purchasing it for the first time, ASRS may appear costly, but the cost savings of owning these systems far outweigh the costs incurred over time. You save money on space, faster processes and reduce labour costs while organising the warehouse to make it look more professional.

• You can fit ASRS into existing buildings, and ASRS can grow with your company. Many companies start small and expand their ASRS setup over time.

• And when the system is integrated with your inventory software, it just makes it much easier to track inventory, plan for the future, and not find yourself running out of items.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you operate - be it a warehouse, a parts room, or a production area - using an Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems in your facility can make life much easier. One of any storage operation's biggest problems is space, speed, and labour, and an ASRS is a solution to all of those challenges.

With ASRS in place, you're not just implementing a new piece of technology. You're building a smarter, more efficient operation for your business.

To put yourself ahead of your competitors, get your smart ASRS today!