“Automation offers a range of benefits for warehouses, from increasing productivity to reducing risk related to labor. But to harness its full potential, companies need to develop a strategy for Orchestration.”

Never before has the competition for warehouse and fulfillment labor been so fierce. The long-term implications of a high reliance on labor are clear: automation in warehousing is no longer just a nice to have but an imperative for sustainable growth. The problem is, automation alone is no longer a competitive advantage

Automation and orchestration are two essential concepts in modern fulfillment centers. Although they are often used interchangeably, they are two distinct but complementary concepts that work together to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the fulfillment process.

Warehouse Automation

Automation is the process of using machines, robots, and other technologies to perform tasks that were traditionally performed by humans. In the context of fulfillment centers, automation can take many forms, from autonomous robots that pick and pack items to conveyor belts that transport goods around the warehouse. The goal of automation is to streamline operations, reduce costs, and increase efficiency and accuracy.

Warehouse Orchestration

Orchestration, on the other hand, is the process of coordinating and managing automated tasks and warehouse processes to achieve a specific goal. In the context of fulfillment centers, an orchestration system coordinates disparate systems, such as warehouse management software, inventory management systems, transportation management systems, and the movements of robots and other automation equipment to ensure that items are picked, packed, and shipped in the most efficient way possible.

Orchestration provides better interoperability between disparate systems and enables greater flexibility, allowing warehouse managers to adjust processes in response to real-time changing customer demands or supply chain disruptions. Additionally, orchestration can improve collaboration between departments and partners, such as suppliers and carriers, by providing real-time visibility into inventory levels and shipment status. Finally, orchestration can enable greater efficiency and cost savings by identifying bottlenecks and optimizing processes across the entire supply chain.

To maximize performance, flexibility and ROI, fulfillment operations should consider how they unify and optimize their end-to-end automation infrastructure. While automation and orchestration are distinct concepts with different applications, they are complementary and have become imperative for sustainable growth in fulfillment centers. Together, they form a powerful combination that can help businesses stay competitive and meet the ever-increasing demands of customers in today's digital age.