Retail

Retail Solutions

Traditionally, the term retail referred to the transaction of business in a brick-and-mortar store. Retail fulfillment was designed to replenish merchandise to these stores periodically. This is still true today; however, as more enterprises also embrace e-commerce, the role of retail fulfillment has changed. Omni-channel fulfillment is becoming more common, and the design of the fulfillment centers must be robust enough to handle processing at both the individual unit level as well as the case level. We also consider other complexities, such as SKU proliferation and fluctuating demand requirements. AHS’s six-step DesignBuild process uses data analytics to profile the multiple channels of the business and develop an optimized solution that fulfills all the needs of the company.

  • Manual Process for Retail

    A manual process is recommended with businesses just entering the marketplace, daily activity levels are low, acquiring capital dollars is difficult, picking is mainly at the bulk level, or there is uncertainty regarding future activity levels.

    Tech Considered
    • Rack
    • Shelving
    • Carts
    • Workstations
    • Minimal Conveyor
    • Carton Flow Rack

    View Render

  • Semi-Automated Process for Retail

    A semi-automated process is the next step in the progression from a manual process. As daily activity levels increase, more efficient methods are required to handle the increased throughput and service level requirements. The transition from manual to semi-automated involves the introduction of conveyors, packaging equipment, and a more advanced warehouse control system.

    Tech Considered
    • Conveyor (all kinds)
    • Sorters (right angle transfers, narrow belt 90 deg or 30 deg, shoe sorters)
    • Robots/Automated Guided Vehicles
    • Put to Light
    • Loaders/Unloaders
    • Pick Modules

    View Render

  • Automated Process for Retail

    Automated processes are employed in fulfillment centers that have high daily volume demands consistently. They utilize many of the components of a semi-automated system but replace labor-intensive operations (such as picking) with highly efficient machines. Using goods-to-person technologies such as shuttles and autonomous robots; reduces order cycle times even further than a semi-automated solution but at a higher capital cost.

    Tech Considered
    • Loop Sorters (tilt tray, cross belt, bombay)
    • AS/RS
    • Shuttles
    • Exotec
    • Autonomous Mobile Robots
    • Collaborative Robots

    View Render
  • Manual Process for Retail
    0 - 50k units processed

    Manual Process for Retail

    A manual process is recommended with businesses just entering the marketplace, daily activity levels are low, acquiring capital dollars is difficult, picking is mainly at the bulk level, or there is uncertainty regarding future activity levels.

    Tech Considered
    • Rack
    • Shelving
    • Carts
    • Workstations
    • Minimal Conveyor
    • Carton Flow Rack
    View Render
  • Semi-Automated Process for Retail
    50k - 250k units processed

    Semi-Automated Process for Retail

    A semi-automated process is the next step in the progression from a manual process. As daily activity levels increase, more efficient methods are required to handle the increased throughput and service level requirements. The transition from manual to semi-automated involves the introduction of conveyors, packaging equipment, and a more advanced warehouse control system.

    Tech Considered
    • Conveyor (all kinds)
    • Sorters (right angle transfers, narrow belt 90 deg or 30 deg, shoe sorters)
    • Robots/Automated Guided Vehicles
    • Put to Light
    • Loaders/Unloaders
    • Pick Modules
    View Render
  • Automated Process for Retail
    250k units processed

    Automated Process for Retail

    Automated processes are employed in fulfillment centers that have high daily volume demands consistently. They utilize many of the components of a semi-automated system but replace labor-intensive operations (such as picking) with highly efficient machines. Using goods-to-person technologies such as shuttles and autonomous robots; reduces order cycle times even further than a semi-automated solution but at a higher capital cost.

    Tech Considered
    • Loop Sorters (tilt tray, cross belt, bombay)
    • AS/RS
    • Shuttles
    • Exotec
    • Autonomous Mobile Robots
    • Collaborative Robots
    View Render

Retail Customers

View Case Studies

  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • ebay

    Retail Components

    Depending on the need(s), one or more of these technologies may be used in a Retail solution.

    Learn more about the technologies utilized and our partners involved during the entire process from conception to completion.

    View Our Partners

    Automated Storage Retrieval

    Automated Storage Retrieval

    An Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) is a combination of equipment and controls that handle, store and retrieve materials as needed with precision, accuracy, and speed.

    Put-to-Light

    Put-to-Light

    Often referred to as scan and sort, an efficient automated sortation method that is designed to break larger quantities of goods into individual customer orders, using light devices to direct operators to ‘put’ items in the correct bin.

    Loaders and Unloaders

    Loaders and Unloaders

    Trailer loading and unloading can be simplified using extendable / retractable conveyors. These conveyors can range from inexpensive gravity conveyor up to traversable powered conveyors. The use of conveyors improves the speed and ergonomics of the trailer load / unload process.

    Racking

    Racking

    Racking is generally regarded as wider, deeper and higher than Shelving and is the preferred method for storing large quantities of stock.

    Minimal Conveyor

    Minimal Conveyor

    These systems and conveyors are designed and manufactured for use in specialized facilities that conduct unique processes. Some examples include spiral, telescopic, flexible, and drive-out conveyors.

    Check Out Our Latest Technologies

    Check Out Our Latest Technologies

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