Internet of Things (IoT) is a booming technological domain that turns any electronic device into a smarter one which is drawing industry's recognition to embrace this technology in their operations to enhance their productivity and improve efficiency. Even in our home, from washing machines to air conditioners, IoT technology is effecting a large number of day-to-day objects into the digital fold to make them cleverer. With such a spreading rate of IoT in several fields, it is surprisingly lacking in the logistics and distribution industry which can raise some questions: -Why IoT growth is slow in the logistics and distribution industry? How important is IoT in the logistics and distribution industry?
Types of Warehouse IoT
1) Autonomous picking robots
In this collaborative robots or cobots will work alongside a human workforce, rather than replacing them to improve picking efficiency.
2) Autonomous vehicles
Vehicles are automated guided vehicles or AGVs, for illustration, a
pallet jack without a driver, rather, it can go to a particular spot,
automatically pick up the pallet and move it reliably and efficiently, easing
the work of the employees.
IoT system with RFID sensors helps in tracking inventory location and
movement in real-time which enables the supervisor or team leader to analyze
the floor’s productivity and efficiency with a few keystrokes instead of
spending hours reading reports. It also helps in analyzing its health and alert
maintenance staff if there’s a problem.
Benefits of IoT in the Warehouse
How important is IoT in the logistics and distribution industry?
1) Inventory Management
We have also discussed it earlier that IoT with RFID trackers keeps
track of inventory location and movement in real-time from the moment it enters
the warehouse to the moment it ships out. During out of stock, an IoT system
can inform administrators or sometimes place an order directly to a supplier.
2) Provides Efficiency
IoT enabled Mobile computers allows team members of the warehouse
management system to complete their job anytime from anywhere without
interrupting their workflow
3) Remove manual mistakes of shipping
IoT enabled packaging prevents the shipping of customers to the wrong
customers.
4) Provides Security
IoT monitors on everything that comes in or goes out of the warehouse
which helps in cutting off theft-related losses
It can also cut theft-related losses.
5) Good customer engagement
Since IoT provides real-time insight into inventory, you can integrate
this information to your website enables the customers to see whether the item
they want is in the stock or not.
With so many benefits points to one question, Why IoT growth is slow in
the logistics and distribution industry?
CHALLENGES
1) High initial investment
The equipment, practice, and new team essential to unite these new
devices to a warehouse are costly which leads to loss of interest of small
logistics organizations in IoT.
2) Threat of micromanagement
Sometimes in the making of the job more efficient leads to the threat of
micromanagement.
Amazon released a plan of making wearable rackers mandatory for its
picking teams which received the rage of employees.
3) Security Problem
As it is a networked system, it is exposed to some unauthorized user's
attack, which could put protected customer or client information at risk. You
should address this problem before introducing any new IoT technologies to a
warehouse.
CONCLUSION
Warehouses and the logistics
industry as a whole have been sluggish to utilize the Internet of Things,
but a revolution is coming. As the competition is increasing day by day,
companies will need to adjust to keep up or get left back as the world advances
without them.