Intelligent logistics: new technologies for the warehouse What is smart logistics? Smart logistics is the process of adopting new technologies in all operations that take place inside and outside the warehouse, from the receipt of goods at the loading and unloading docks to the distribution and delivery to the customer under the agreed conditions. Without going any further, a study by the consulting firm Research and Markets indicates that the market for the internet of things in logistics will grow annually by 13.2% until 2030, from a turnover of $34,504 million in 2019 to $100 billion by 2030. Smart logistics aims to increase process control, optimize warehouse performance and minimize operating costs in the facility through the use of interconnected devices and the collection of all data produced there. Intelligent logistics promotes the replacement of manual systems with automatic handling equipment or robots in those tasks that require the greatest repetition, such as the movement of goods, the location and extraction of load units or the preparation of orders. Intelligent logistics: the role of automation Process automation is one of the main characteristics of intelligent logistics and a direct consequence of the implementation of new technologies in the warehouse, such as automated conveyor and storage systems. These automatic solutions are applied to repetitive tasks to ensure an uninterrupted workflow. All these solutions would not be viable if they were not completely safe. The consolidation of artificial intelligence has facilitated the coexistence in the warehouse of products, automated systems and operators, ensuring physical integrity for all. How to move towards intelligent logistics Transforming conventional logistics into intelligent logistics is not a simple process. Logistics planning is specific to each company and requires specific solutions that usually combine manual, semi-automated and automated systems. To optimize logistics operations and implement new technologies in the warehouse, it is essential to identify what the needs are, where productivity can be increased and in which operations cost overruns can be reduced. Another common strategy on the road to intelligent logistics is to limit the presence of manual handling equipment and replace it with automated solutions such as conveyors and stacker cranes, systems that are particularly useful when the flow of goods is constant and repetitive, as warehouse performance is boosted. Its warehouses are equipped with pallet stacker cranes, shuttles and automatic Pallet Shuttles, among other systems. Smart logistics: maximum efficiency in warehouse operations Smart logistics is already a reality in many warehouses, hand in hand with new concepts such as blockchain, artificial intelligence or the industrial internet of things. Whether through automated transport solutions or through the implementation of warehouse management software, smart logistics ensures efficient control over stock, greater safety for operators and products, and the elimination of errors in tasks such as order picking or returns management. 2. What have you learned from the article that can be applied to the course material? The objective of the course is to know how manufacturing processes work and how a company works so that we can improve those processes and as future industrial engineers help companies to optimize processes, reduce time and costs and above all to increase the speed of these processes. And this article makes clear reference to a form of optimization in the warehouse. How technology can improve one of the thousand processes in the supply chain. 3.How can this knowledge be used at your current job or within an operation to drive customer satisfaction and profitability? I am not currently working anywhere but I would love to work helping companies make their customers more satisfied. By adapting modern technology to warehouses we could avoid waiting times, loss of products, increase product quality and much more. 4.Include URL for article https://www.mecalux.es/blog/logistica-inteligente#:~:text=La%20log%C3%ADstica%20i nteligente%20aspira%20a,datos%20que%20all%C3%AD%20se%20producen.
