To determine the whole effect of automation on work in warehouses and workforce is a relatively complicated task. It brings clear pros, as well as cons, just like anything else. Let\u2019s try to take a complex look at the situation.<\/p>\n
Automation in warehouses has moved from simple tasks, such as packaging, to processing large data sets obtained from various devices and their subsequent analysis. These data are then evaluated using AI and based on that, specific measures tracking optimization of processes and growth of their effectiveness are suggested or directly implemented. That brings significant benefits in the form of saving time and costs which can be then used somewhere else and in a different way.<\/p>\n
The option to move employees from routine processes to more interesting tasks where it\u2019s possible to make use of their talent, creativity and experience belongs to the most mentioned benefits. Enterprises also move their employees from positions that are physically difficult or dangerous and can be done by automats with more effectiveness. This way, they protect their employees from physical exertion and lower the risk of injuries.<\/p>\n
Another benefit of process automation is improving the work efficiency. An example of that might be replacement of physical stock items monitoring by an automated system using barcodes or RFID tags. Thanks to this, the preparation or packing process can be automated with all the benefits it brings.<\/p>\n
More and more, robots are applied in warehouses as well and their greater effectiveness also brings greater production across all related fields. However, the question of how much they will affect the offer of jobs for employees arises. Kevin Beasley, CIO in the company of VAI developing software for supply management, doesn\u2019t confirm these worries: \u201cMost enterprises can appreciate the experience and knowledge of their employees and move them from automated positions to new places where they are able to make better use of their talent and creativity.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\nThere are some pitfalls as well<\/h2>\n
However, there are still some concerns regarding process automation, that were confirmed by the last year\u2019s study of University of California: \u201cEven though some technologies might simplify the most difficult tasks when working in a warehouse (like working with heavy and bulky burdens), it will probably take place in conjunction with the efforts to increase work effort and working pace using the new methods of workers monitoring. That could lead to further risks in health and security of employees,\u201d <\/i>concludes the study.<\/p>\n
Lack of employee qualification is usually stated as another disadvantage of total process automation. If complex tasks are divided into individual partial steps, out of which the automated system then puts its procedures together, without human intervention, employees will gradually lose track of the process as a whole, as well as individual operation types and their mutual ties.<\/p>\n
Even though automation might eventually lead to reduction of the number of jobs, it\u2019s not a threat in the short nor even medium term. Demand for warehouse staff in the following 5 to 10 years will rather grow, regarding the increasing demand for goods and services.<\/p>\n
That might be trouble for enterprises now and in the near future. It\u2019s not easy to get and keep the needed employees and therefore withstand increasing customer requirements, as well as competition pressure. That\u2019s why technologies are so well applied here, they help do the work on positions that would otherwise remain unoccupied. It\u2019s more than obvious that they can be a very powerful and useful tool for maintaining competitiveness on the global market.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
To determine the whole effect of automation on work in warehouses and workforce is a relatively complicated task. It brings clear pros, as well as cons, just like anything else. Let\u2019s try to take a complex look at the situation. Automation in warehouses has moved from simple tasks, such as packaging, to processing large data […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":4210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,6],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n