S A P I E N T
A U T O M A T I O N
The Intelligent Material Handling Company
6 Reasons Why Organizations Should Consider
Saving Space and Time with Vertical Storage
and Retrieval Systems
W H I T E
P A P E R
S E R I E S
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877.451.4044
215.489.7820
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hat is the value of unused space? It can have
significant value for companies that choose to
take advantage of it in storage facilities.
Automated storage and retrieval systems, such as Vertical
Carousels and Vertical Lift Modules (VLM) take advantage of
unused overhead space to recover 60% to 85% of the floor
space typically required by shelving and drawer systems.
Vertical storage and retrieval systems, such as Sapient
Automation’s Viper® VLM and Avenger® Vertical Carousel,
are designed with rotating shelves that move up or down in
response to operator commands, delivering items at an
ergonomically positioned window for easy removal.
Because of their vertical design, these systems can be used
to link multiple operations located on different floors, further
reducing the amount of space required for storage and
retrieval activities while improving workflow.
Saving Space Saves Time and Money
The space savings benefits of vertical storage and retrieval
systems, however, are just a small piece of the savings potential
of these systems. There are a number of reasons why reducing
the amount of space required by storage and retrieval systems
can result in significant savings in time and money.
Space Savings
(sq ft)
Space Savings
(percentages)
Ceiling
Height
Eliminated
Shelving Sections
461 - 472
82%
20’
45 - 49
317 - 328
The floor space recovered with the installation of vertical
storage and retrieval systems can often be re-allocated from
569 - 616
cost-associated functions of inventory to value-increasing
713 - 724
821 - 868
production operations. Improved space utilization can also
to 929
extend the useful life of existing facilities, eliminating the need
76%
85%
88%
89%
91%
15’
25’
30’
35’
40’
31 - 35
59 - 65
73 - 80
87 - 94
to 100
for expensive square footage expansion to meet growth
requirements. Their small unit footprint makes vertical systems
Reason 1: Conventional static storage systems like shelving
especially valuable for point-of-use storage and Just-in-Time
require employees to spend up to 70% of their time traveling
(JIT) applications.
aisles searching for items. Vertical automated storage and
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30 South Pine Street | Doylestown, PA 18901 | info@GetSapient.com | www.GetSapient.com
877.451.4044
215.489.7820
2
Subsidiary of MDCI
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retrieval systems deliver items automatically to the operator,
inventory management and control software, picking accuracy
eliminating wasted walk and search time. The access area of
can improve to 99.99%.
vertical systems is ergonomically designed to present stored
items at an ideal height for picking, usually about waist high.
Reason 3: Redundant or non-essential handling can be reduced
Typically, an operator’s walk and search time is reversed from
with vertical systems. Throughput improves, and the time
that of conventional systems to 70% picking and only 30%
saved results in less operating cost and improved customer
dwell time. In many applications, this reversal of walk and
service. Vertical storage and retrieval systems can be integrated
search time can reduce labor requirements by up to 66%.
with ERP and WMS software to provide precise inventory
Even with a smaller workforce, productivity can increase by an
management.
average of more than 2.5 times in typical applications.
Reason 4: Since vertical systems are totally enclosed and
Reason 2: Vertical storage
lockable, they protect products from external hazards and
and retrieval systems also
reduce product damage and pilfering. Because of this,
offer increased picking
inventories can often be reduced. Access to vertical storage
speed and accuracy when
and retrieval systems can be controlled and tracked making it
compared with rack and
shelving systems. Intuitive
controls and software
allow organizations to
use batch picking and
integrated pick-to-light
technology to improve
throughput up to
500% in some applications. With the addition of position
indicators, information displays, bar code scanning devices,
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30 South Pine Street | Doylestown, PA 18901 | info@GetSapient.com | www.GetSapient.com
877.451.4044
215.489.7820
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easy to keep specific items or groups of items secure from
unauthorized personnel.
Making ‘Green’ Bottom Line Viable
Going “green” with sustainable design and construction
makes sense for the environment, but it’s sometimes difficult
to justify.
Reason 5: By reducing the amount of space required for
storage and retrieval operations, companies can construct
smaller, more energy efficient buildings, shrinking the
construction footprint by up to 15% in some cases, conserving
Return on investment for vertical storage and retrieval
natural resources and reducing maintenance costs. This
systems can be as fast as 18 months.
improved space utilization helps reduce energy costs, which
Vertical storage and retrieval systems are deigned to
helps reduce an organization’s overall carbon footprint.
significantly reduce to space necessary for storage and
retrieval operations, allowing that recovered floor space to be
used in revenue generating operations. However, there are
other benefits as well, and when those benefits are combined
with space savings, the resulting reduction in costs and
improvement in productivity can boost the performance
of any business.
Sapient Automation, a subsidiary of MDCI, is a leading
provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for
manufacturing, distribution, warehouses, institutions, retail
and wholesale. For information about the Vertical Storage
and Retrieval Systems, please call 888-451-9711, email:
Reason 6: The ergonomic location of the access area also
info@getsapient.com or visit the Sapient Automation web
contributes to employee safety since this positioning design
site at www.GetSapient.com.
eliminates the bending, climbing and stretching associated
with conventional shelving and rack systems. This can reduce
the potential for injuries and the resulting Workers’
Compensation claims and workdays lost to recovery.
S P A C E
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30 South Pine Street | Doylestown, PA 18901 | info@GetSapient.com | www.GetSapient.com
877.451.4044
215.489.7820
4
Subsidiary of MDCI
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