Automated Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) and Vertical Carousels – 6 Reasons How to Save Labor, Cube and Money

Automated Vertical Storage Solutions – Converting Wasted Labor & Space Into Profit

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.

Reason 1 – Reduced Labor by 2/3:

Manual static storage systems like shelving, rack and drawer systems require operators to spend up to 70% of their time walking and searching aisles for SKUs and inventory. Automated vertical automated storage and retrieval systems such as Viper Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) and Avenger Vertical Carousels deliver items automatically to the operator, using the “goods-to-man principle.”

The pick windows of VLMs and Vertical Carousels are ergonomically designed to present stored SKUs and inventory at an ideal height for picking. Typically, an operator’s walk and search time is reversed from that of manual systems to 70% picking and only 30% dwell time. In many applications, this reversal of walk and search time can reduce labor requirements by up to 66%. Even with a smaller workforce, productivity can increase by more than 2.5 times, on average, in typical applications.

Reason 2 – Throughput Up To 500%:

Automated vertical storage and retrieval systems (Vertical Lift Modules, VLMs and Vertical Carousels) also offer increased picking speed and accuracy when compared with drawers, 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, inventory management and control software, picking accuracy can improve to 99.99% while throughput can improve up to 500%.

Reason 3 – Inventory Visibility:

Like Lean Manufacturing and Distribution practices, eliminating wasteful redundant or non-essential handling can be accomplished with vertical storage and retrieval systems, Vertical Lift Modules, VLMs and Vertical Carousels. Throughput improves, and the time saved results in less operating cost and improved customer service. Vertical storage and retrieval systems, Vertical Lift Modules, VLMs and Vertical Carousels can be integrated with Inventory Management, Warehouse Controls (WCS), WMS and ERP  software systems to provide inventory visibility to all levels of management and operators.

Reason 4 – Security:

The totally enclosed and lockable Vertical Lift Modules, VLMs and Vertical Carousels help assure SKUs and inventory are accessible and eliminate product damage and pilfering. Because of this and having visibility to current inventory levels, overall inventory levels can often be dramatically reduced. Likewise, restricting and controlling access to specific items and inventories to specific operators, departments or groups is easy to achieve when using vertical storage and retrieval systems, Vertical Lift Modules, VLMs and Vertical Carousels.

Turning ‘Green to Gold’ & Bottom Line Viable

Going “green” with sustainable design and construction makes sense for the environment, but it’s sometimes difficult to justify.

Reason 5 – Sustainability 15% Smaller Construction:

Organizations can construct smaller, more energy efficient buildings by reducing the amount of space required by implementing storage and retrieval operations by using Avenger Vertical Carousels, Viper VLMs and Vertical Lift Modules. This optimized strategy can shrink the construction footprint by up to 15% in some cases, conserving natural resources and reducing maintenance costs. This improved space utilization helps reduce energy costs, which helps reduce an organization’s overall carbon footprint.

Reason 6 – Ergonomics & Accessibility:

The ergonomic location of the access area also contributes to employee safety since this positioning design 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.

ROI – Return on Investment for a vertical storage and retrieval system, Viper Vertical Lift Module, VLM and Avenger Vertical Carousel is often under 12 months. With current tax credits being offered by the US Federal Government, vertical storage and retrieval systems have never been more affordable. Organizations such as Sapient Automation provide a free Return On Investment (ROI) analysis to show organizations exactly how fast their ROI will be.

Vertical storage and retrieval systems are designed to 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 organization.

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 Vertical Storage Solutions call 888-451-9711, email: info@getsapient.com or visit the Sapient Automation web site at: www.GetSapient.com