Warehouse picking operations everywhere are struggling with unprecedented increasing demand, meeting impossible speed expectations, and critical labor shortages for warehouse workers.

Fortunately, there are solutions that can help you keep up.

You’ve probably heard about the many benefits of using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in your warehouse. FlexShelf Fulfillment AMRs from Zebra and Barcodes can be a game-changer for your business and help your operations run even more efficiently. There are several advantages of incorporating FlexShelf AMR fulfillment solutions in your picking and fulfillment operations.

Three Reasons to Choose FlexShelf AMRs

FlexShelf AMRs feature an adaptable interface and can be seamlessly configured for a wide range of fulfillment operations, picking tasks, and automated material movement activities. Here are three advantages to choosing Zebra FlexShelf AMRs.

1. Increase Pick Productivity by Three Times

With FlexShelf AMRs, you can dramatically increase the number of orders your warehouse workers can process per hour. With FlexShelf, they’ll be able to pick three times as many products as they could before — without any additional training, support, or staff.

2. Reduce Cycle Times

FlexShelf gives you the ability to seamlessly switch between different products, allowing your workers to get orders out faster than ever before. You can also configure multiple lanes for each product type, which helps reduce wait time and increases customer satisfaction. FlexShelf also features unique pick-to-light and put-to-side capabilities that will significantly reduce cycle times.

3. Flexible Shelf Configurations

Imagine not needing a dedicated space for every product type. FlexShelf allows you to create customizable shelving that makes it easy to swap out products on the fly as necessary.  Shelves are adjustable with large dimensional capacity to accommodate a wide variety of totes, bins, and boxes of all sizes.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that FlexShelf can leverage your existing systems and does not require any costly modifications or disruptions to your facilities.

Learn More About Fetch FlexShelf AMRs from Zebra and Barcodes

To learn more about implementing Zebra robotics solutions, including FlexShelf, in your warehouse, contact our team at Barcodes. Our AMR experts can answer your questions and provide cost-effective & efficient recommendations tailored to your unique needs.  Reach out to us online or call (855) 233-2917.

Companies nationwide are struggling to find qualified manufacturing labor, leaving many critical positions unfilled. The labor crisis isn’t going away any time soon. A recent study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute revealed that the U.S. could see 2.1 million open manufacturing jobs by 2030, with a critical lack of skilled labor to staff those open roles. Manufacturers surveyed also reported that finding qualified talent is 36% harder than in 2018.

How can you prepare your business to remain productive and profitable during the worst labor crisis of our time?

Fetch Robotics are autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from Zebra that seamlessly fill the labor gap, working alongside existing employees to improve efficiency, productivity, and accuracy.

Empower Your Employees with Fetch Robotics

Are you worried that your staff will think they’re about to be replaced by robots? Think again. Fetch robotics work alongside your team, empowering them with the tools they need to be more productive than ever.

Zebra AMRs can do the monotonous tasks your employees dread so they can focus on higher-level duties. Your employees will be overjoyed when they realize Fetch can push pallets for miles in the heat, so they don’t have to.

You can also delegate heavy lifting to the robots, protecting your employees from strain and possible injury. AMRs give your frontline team members a safer, more productive, and enjoyable job, reducing turnover and physical burnout while increasing employee satisfaction.

Fetch Robotics Means Improved Productivity

Zebra’s Fetch Robotics can deliver three times more productivity to your manufacturing plant by automating material movement. 

AMRS can move inbound goods, pick orders, and recycle, allowing workers to stay in their zone instead of wasting time walking back and forth carrying inventory around the warehouse.

Imagine how focused, productive, and less physically exhausted these workers will be. They’ll produce, pick, pack, and put away more items than ever before without the physical burnout that can result in reduced efficiency. You and your team will be amazed by how much more productive they are in tandem with AMRs.

When Can the Robots Start?

You might be surprised at how easy it is to add robotics to your warehouse.  Learn how AMRs add value immediately, help you plan for the future, and safeguard your operations with Fetch Robotics from Barcodes. The experts from Barcodes can seamlessly integrate Zebra robotics solutions without disrupting your warehouse operations. Questions? Reach out to us online or call (855) 233-2917.

Exploring Mobile Robotics Success Stories with Locus Robotics

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

1:00 PM CT

This webinar covers how autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have transformed industries, boosting productivity and efficiency. With inspiring success stories from businesses that have already reaped the benefits of AMR, there is a takeaway here for everyone curious about the ROI of robotics in the supply chain.

Presented By:

Jason Lum, Senior Strategic Alliance Manager, Locus Robotics

John Wells, Sales, Locus Robotics

Manthan Pawar, Product Manager for Autonomous Mobile Robotics, Barcodes, Inc.

Key Takeaways from the Robotics Webinar

• Barcodes is a system integrator and installation partner for Locus Robotics
• Industries served include manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, logistics, hospitality, retail, healthcare, government, education
• AMRs help address labor shortages, ecommerce fulfillment demand, and overall flexibility incorporating automation in the supply chain

In this webinar, we speak in great detail about real-world AMR applications that have already proven successful. Watch the full recording of the webinar below:

Full transcript in progress. Check back soon for a full summary text.

Exploring Mobile Robotics Q&A

Can Locus Robotics integrate with Epicor Eclipse? Yes. We’ve got quite a few customers on Epicor, other older warehouse management systems, and even homegrowns. So as long as the database can communicate with us via SOAP, REST sockets or a few other protocols, we can integrate with that solution.

What are some of the hiccups and issues with robotics deployment that you have had to deal with in the past? One thing we find is what we put into operation on go live, day one doesn’t always look the same on subsequent days. Our team stays there, designs, develops, and changes onsite to make it work even better. Many of the issues arise from peer training. Users don’t always understand how to work with our bots. So we will spend a lot of extra time on training. Another aspect is is warehouse hygiene- making sure the warehouse has clean floors and organized aisles for AMRs to pass through. Things of that nature.

Webinar Details

Navigating the Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) Landscape

Tuesday, June 20^th 2023

1:00pm Central

Presented By

David Lin – Product Manager, Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies

Manthan Pawar – Product Manager – Robotics and AI at Barcodes, Inc.

Why AMR Matters for Your Organization

Join our roundtable discussion with industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow manufacturing/warehousing professionals to delve deeper into the rapidly expanding robotics industry.

Gain valuable insights and discover crucial strategies to help you make an informed decision on whether AMR solutions are right for your business.

This webinar will answer the following questions:

• How can you identify the right AMR solution amidst the crowded marketplace?
• What are the key factors to consider to ensure a successful deployment?
• How can AMRs be leveraged amidst budget constraints and what are the long-term cost savings associated with the implementation?

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in an interactive panel discussion and have your pressing questions answered by our distinguished robotics panelists.

Watch the Full Robotics Webinar Recording

Barcodes, Inc. recently launched its AMR portfolio to cater to a wide range of applications, from warehousing fulfillment to manufacturing, providing businesses with intelligent automation that’s easy to implement and delivers rapid ROI.

A new partnership with SVT Robotics now provides customers with faster deployment and lessens the complexity that’s often involved in automation and robotics deployments.

“Fast and seamless integration with our new AMR platform is a key element in our ability to deploy the robots quickly and with better throughput and scalability,” says Daniel Nettesheim, President and CEO of Barcodes Group. “SVT’s expertise in rapid robotics integration will help us deliver even faster ROI for our customers and ease the strain on labor that’s affecting companies across the supply chain.”

SVT Robotics’ tech-agnostic, low-code SOFTBOT Platform enables companies to integrate any robot, automation, IoT device, or human productivity tool for any task in just days or weeks.

“The connectivity from the SOFTBOT Platform to Barcodes Group’s technology will enable warehouses to fully integrate AMRs in very short period of time,” said A.K. Schultz, CEO of SVT Robotics. “With automation becoming more important to supply chain as a whole, the ability to deploy quickly and optimize productivity is a game changer in the industry.”

The partnership shortens AMR integration time and reduces the complexity of traditional integration methods.

Read the full press release below.

CHICAGO, March 16, 2023 — Barcodes Group, whose end-to-end technology solutions improve mobility, visibility, and automation, and SVT Robotics, a leader in enterprise software for the rapid deployment of robotics, have joined forces to accelerate the integration of Barcodes Group’s AMR portfolio within manufacturing and fulfillment warehouses. The partnership will provide customers of Barcodes Group faster deployment and lessen the complexity that’s often involved in automation and robotics deployments.

“Fast and seamless integration with our new AMR platform is a key element in our ability to deploy the robots quickly and with better throughput and scalability,” said Daniel Nettesheim, President and CEO of Barcodes Group. “SVT’s expertise in rapid robotics integration will help us deliver even faster ROI for our customers and ease the strain on labor that’s affecting companies across the supply chain.”

“The connectivity from the SOFTBOT Platform to Barcodes Group’s technology will enable warehouses to fully integrate AMRs in very short period of time,” said A.K. Schultz, CEO of SVT Robotics. “With automation becoming more important to supply chain as a whole, the ability to deploy quickly and optimize productivity is a game changer in the industry.

Barcodes Group recently launched its AMR portfolio to cater to a wide range of applications, from warehousing fulfillment to manufacturing, providing businesses with intelligent automation that’s easy to implement and delivers rapid ROI.

SVT’s SOFTBOT Platform empowers supply chain organizations to design and integrate across a wide spectrum of automation options. The result of SVT and Barcodes Group joining forces is warehouse operations powered by use case-driven workflows and end-to-end automation functionality using today’s most innovative technologies.

About Barcodes Group

Barcodes Group provides end-to-end technology solutions that improve mobility, visibility, and automation for organizations across the globe. With 25+ years of experience and partnerships with leading technology manufacturers, Barcodes Group delivers exceptional products, software, and services to help businesses navigate a world in motion. Key technology platforms include enterprise mobility, automated vision and labeling, RFID, warehouse robotics, access control systems, and more.

About SVT Robotics 

SVT Robotics is an enterprise software company that’s revolutionizing robot deployments in the warehousing and manufacturing industries. SVT’s tech-agnostic, low-code SOFTBOT Platform enables companies to integrate any robot, automation, IoT device, or human productivity tool for any task in just days or weeks.

Exclusive Webinar

The Rise of Mobile Robotics

Wednesday, November 9^th, 12:00 PM ET

Presented By

David Lin – Product Manager, Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies

Manthan Pawar – Product Manager, Autonomous Mobile Robotics at Barcodes Group

About this Robotics Webinar

Labor shortage and an increase in consumer demand continue to surge the need for technological innovations that improve and automate processes. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are the latest advancement in automation to deliver the speed and flexibility needed to fill the gaps. This webinar will demonstrate the benefits of AMRs and how they empower organizations to utilize their labor resources more efficiently.

During this webinar, we’ll be covering the following AMR topics:

• Industry drivers and trends generating the demand for AMRs
• How AMRs can help achieve higher operational speed and throughput
• AMR use cases and workflows within warehousing and distribution, eCommerce, 3PLs, and manufacturing

Watch the Full Robotics Webinar Recording

Please reach out to our team of robotics experts today.

Businesses and enterprises are exploring robotic systems to help them overcome challenges. Finding the balance between meeting demands and controlling costs is familiar for Fulfillment and e-commerce, distribution centers, and manufacturing. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, companies have found that the information technology and operational technology (IT and OT) that helped them operate effectively in 2019 no longer allow them to keep up. 

Robotic systems, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), support the intelligent, automated operations that enterprises need to stay competitive and profitable.

The Challenges Driving the Move to AMRs

Robotic systems and autonomous mobile robots give operations solutions to some of their most serious challenges. 

Labor

Job openings in the U.S. have totaled more than 10 million each month from 2021 to 2022. More than 800,000 of those positions are in retail trade, and 795,000 are in manufacturing – and industry growth is outpacing available labor by a 6:1 ratio. Furthermore, businesses are not only struggling to fill positions. They are also finding it difficult to retain them. 

AMRs can easily accomplish tasks in the warehouse or distribution center, such as transporting freight, replenishing parts to manufacturing lines, and transporting items or consumables to packing stations. As a result, robotic systems allow enterprises to make the best use of their labor as they automate basic tasks.

Supply Chain Disruptions

The pandemic also disrupted and slowed the supply chain worldwide. Fulfillment centers, warehouses, and distribution centers have had to respond with greater efficiency and visibility into inventory movements. 

Robotic systems enable operations to move materials, cargo, or merchandise effectively to keep the supply chain moving and make the best use of warehouse capacity. 

Customer Expectations: While labor shortages and supply chain issues increased, customers became more demanding. Expectations of instant, flawless service drive a greater need for speed and agility in operations. 

Robotic systems work consistently and quickly to move materials, deliver them where needed, and fulfill orders accurately, increasing throughput and customer satisfaction. 

The Added Benefits of Robotic Systems

Operations are deploying autonomous mobile robots to address some of today’s monumental challenges, but they’re discovering that they also provide additional advantages.

• Cost savings: With AMRs moving inventory and materials, replenishing processes, transporting recycling, and performing simple –yet time-consuming and necessary – tasks, businesses can more easily control labor and overtime costs. Operations can see significant ROI from deploying robotic systems. 
• Scalability: With less dependence on labor, operations can scale with the volume of work. 
• Space optimization: Many robotic systems require only a small footprint, enabling operations to utilize their space efficiently. 
• Enhanced safety: Autonomous mobile robots minimize unproductive travel and are designed to prevent accidents in a busy industrial environment. 
• Operational data: Because robotic systems are connected to the enterprise’s network, they can provide real-time data on their tasks, information that allows operations to digitize and catalog workflows, and insights that can help improve processes.  
• Employee satisfaction: Assisted by AMRs, employees can focus on higher-value tasks and quickly complete their work.

Learn More About Robotic Systems

If deploying robotic systems and AMRs is new to your team, you can watch our full webinar with Fetch Robotics and Zebra Technologies from earlier this week.

Executive Summary
A warehouse robotics manufacturing company was in search of a user interface to complete and enhance their robots. A powerful barcode scanning solution with a strong and durable scan engine was required to improve processes. Additionally, it needed to be compatible with the iPad Mini due to their workers familiarity with the product and integration with their existing enterprise software.

Barcodes identified an optimal barcode scanning solution that not only streamlined processes but also increased the revenue stream for a robotics company’s clients.

The Business Challenge
The robots created by the robotics company are used at their customer’s facilities. A technologically advanced solution was required to allow warehouse associates the ability to interact directly with the robots for order picking, inventory control, and efficiency measures. They need a simple and lightweight solution to implement various warehouse management applications.

Solution
Barcodes recommended the Infinite Peripherals Infinea Tab™ M and case (CS-TAL) with 1D/2D barcode scanner, along with the Apple iPad Mini. This allowed mobile employees to convert the Apple iPad Mini into a powerful warehouse management and scanning solution to fulfill their operational needs. The Infinea Tab™ M has a 2D imager scan engine which reads the most widely used 1D and 2D barcodes that has made it the ideal solution for order picking and inventory control.

Benefits
Having implemented the solution, the warehouse robotics company has seen the benefits of using an iPad mini and powerful scanning solution in one. The intuitive user interface on the Infinea Tab™ M has led to increased productivity by the end users, which has allowed more orders to ship; thus, revenue to increase for their customers.

The warehouse robotics company has scaled widely once their robots were delivered and implemented at each of their customer’s site. Not only through word of mouth, but through various trade shows, the interest in the robots and the technology used within the robots has set the company on a path for tremendous growth with the help of Barcodes.