Capital Equipment News November 2023

MATERIALS HANDLING

The I_site system expands telematics in warehouse management even further.

tasks that humans are not well equipped to handle. For example, an AGV can work in extreme temperatures and is well suited to excessively repetitive tasks like retrieving empty pallets in continuous 24/7 operations, disregarding breaks and skipping any kind of absence,” says Barnard. The autonomous warehouse, driven by the needs of e-commerce giants and the fast paced distribution environment, is becoming a widespread reality. Identifying a new need CFAO Equipment South Africa, through its Toyota Material Handling division, is at the forefront of this movement, championing the automation of warehouse machinery. Each AGV project is customised to the warehouse’s needs, requiring substantial investment in terms of man-hours for software development, but the payoff in operational efficiency is profound. Both telematics and AGVs play pivotal roles in creating a more dynamic, responsive, and efficient warehouse environment. Telematics provides the data and insights to optimise machinery usage and enhance safety protocols, while AGVs deliver the physical automation required to keep pace with the high demands of modern storage and distribution. This dual approach allows companies to become more digitally mature, not only in managing their current operations but in setting the stage for the continued advancement of warehouse automation technologies. Together, these technologies present a holistic solution to the challenges faced by mega warehouses. They allow companies to scale operations while maintaining the integrity of their processes and the wellbeing of their employees. By embracing these technological solutions, South Africa’s material handling industry is poised to achieve unprecedented levels of operational efficiency, setting a standard for the rest of the globe in warehouse management and logistics optimisation. b

It must be stressed that the addition of AGVs will not make skilled workers redundant. In many instances AGVs perform tasks that humans are not well equipped to handle. For example, an AGV can work in extreme temperatures and is well suited to excessively repetitive tasks like retrieving empty pallets in continuous 24/7 operations, disregarding breaks and skipping any kind of absence.

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