The Material Handling Blog

When we think about material handling automation, we often picture large-scale systems requiring significant capital and time investments. Yet, small-scale integrations can deliver transformative results for targeted challenges, offering a path to efficiency that many organizations overlook. Entry-level automation can substantially improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability—all without overhauling the entire operation and minimizing the risk to the business. These solutions are about doing more with what you have, like incorporating carton flow racking to streamline picking or ergonomic packing stations to enhance worker efficiency, unlocking untapped potential, and preparing for future growth.

In today’s fast-paced order fulfillment landscape, fulfillment centers power the seamless shopping experience consumers have come to expect—delivering speed, accuracy, and innovation like never before. To keep up with increasing demand and consumer expectations, operations must strike the perfect balance between speed and accuracy. Distribution centers continue to rely on automation solutions like order pick modules for a good reason. These proven and reliable order-picking systems have evolved with advanced technologies to meet the demands of modern fulfillment operations, maximizing throughput and efficiency. In an era dominated by automation and robotics, pick modules remain adaptable and cost-effective, seamlessly integrating into hybrid operations to handle both high-velocity SKUs and slower-moving items with unmatched versatility.

In modern material handling warehouses, efficient product transport through conveyor systems plays a pivotal role. While conveyor systems are pretty straightforward, there are various elements that help to achieve that efficiency. A key facet of any conveyor solution is the control card, which manages the flow of goods through conveyor zones. These cards provide users complete control over product singulation and release, ensuring products are moved precisely when and where they are needed to optimize the entire automated material handling system.

Ecommerce warehousing involves storing, organizing, and managing goods in the supply chain for online retail. India is becoming one of the fastest-growing ecommerce markets in the world, so efficient warehousing solutions are essential. The Indian ecommerce warehousing market is growing rapidly now with no sign of slowing down. If you are an online retailer looking to gain a competitive edge in your market, read more to find out which technologies will benefit you as you start to plan your next warehouse operation upgrade.

Distribution centers are increasingly at the mercy of fluctuating demand, a challenge amplified by clear seasonal and ecommerce trends. As consumer behavior shifts and online shopping events gain traction, these facilities must adjust to significant peaks and valleys in product flow. This unpredictability can strain resources and complicate warehouse logistics.

Historically, intralogistics software providers have been known for providing very customized solutions to meet the unique needs of their various manufacturing and distribution center clients. Being in the industry for over 70 years, Bastian Solutions has identified various universal industry processes and created a standardized product suite with offerings in addition to providing customized solutions all under our proprietary software brand, Exacta®.

The economic market landscape is a whirlwind of change, driven by an expanding population and evolving local and global demands. Amidst this flux, businesses grapple with the challenges of adapting to shifting consumer expectations, soaring rental costs, intensifying competition and the quest for optimal storage solutions, particularly in India's bustling market. Navigating these complexities demands more than just traditional approaches—it requires a strategic embrace of automation. What was once considered a luxury has now become a business imperative. The question is no longer “Should I automate?” it is now “When and how much should I automate?” Recognizing this shift is crucial for companies aiming not just to survive, but to thrive in this dynamic environment.

In warehouse automation and material handling systems, companies typically fall into two categories: manufacturers (OEMs) or integrators. Manufacturers are known for creating the hardware and technologies that power warehouse automation, while integrators specialize in bringing these diverse components together into a cohesive, functioning material handling system. At Bastian Solutions, we often encounter the question, 'Are you an integrator or a manufacturer?'

When people hear the term 3PL, they might ask questions such as: “What is a 3PL?” A 3PL or third-party logistics is a business that provides logistics operations to other business. These value-added logistic services include:

The festive or peak season is one of the busiest times for companies, especially those in the e-commerce and retail industry sectors. With the holidays here, consumer demand for products significantly spikes both in volume and quick fulfilment requirements. With continuous festive promotions and sales, it is understandable that there is an increase in orders with more customer expectations, so it is crucial to have efficient and reliable warehouse material handling systems in place to handle the festive season demand. Determining the specific requirements of your business during the festive season is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful operation.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, automation has become an integral part of various industries, ranging from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and transportation. With warehouse and distribution center material handling automation's widespread adoption, ensuring the safety of workers, equipment and the public is of paramount importance. To achieve this, various safety devices are employed to minimize risks and prevent accidents.

The world of automation is more complicated than it has ever been, with several emerging technology options and configurations now readily available with more to come. What we know, however, is that creating a foundation for long-term resilience relies on adaptable automation. Together with data-backed system integration you can overcome business challenges to meet objectives now and, in the future, reaping better ROIs. This means taking a detailed look at the processes before a package leaves the warehouse.