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A skilled labor shortage has afflicted the warehousing and fulfillment industry for several years [1] , and the situation has been compounded and complicated by the influence of COVID-19. With the public increasingly reliant on ecommerce, warehouses and fulfillment centers struggle to stay competitive and meet fulfillment expectations. Here are a few key automated material handling solutions that can help solve modern warehousing problems and pave a path to business growth. Each one plays a role in enabling 24/7 productivity, lowering labor costs, reducing manual processes and errors, and improving worker ergonomics and safety. 1. Transport: Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) Automated guided vehicles , commonly referred to as AGVs or self-guided vehicles, perform key roles in inbound and outbound handling. Warehouses and fulfillment centers use them to move inventory from receiving to storage, and from long-term storage to picking areas. Available in many different sizes, types, and navigation options, AGV solutions are ready for nearly every inventory type, regardless of dimensions and weights: ● Pallet transport AGVs operate as driverless forklifts, freeing employees from repetitive tasks and reducing product damage. ● Case or tote transport AGVs are ideal for carrying lighter loads between processes and to and from pick stations, improving productivity and increasing throughput capacity. ● Cold storage AGVs transport materials in chilled or refrigerated environments, allowing employees to spend less time working in uncomfortably low temperatures. AGVs possess a few key advantages over other conveyance solutions. They use less space than conveyors, are energy efficient, can be changed or reprogrammed to different routes as your business changes, and they include smart safety features to improve ergonomics and reduce hazards. 2. Storage: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) Warehouses buried in increasing SKUs need a way to maximize floor space and still maintain easy access to inventory. Highly […]