Why Every E-commerce Warehouse Needs a DWS System
Before determining if your e-commerce site needs a DWS System, it is important to ask:
Why, to begin with, does the business need its own warehouse?
When Do E-Commerce Businesses Need In-House Warehouses?
Warehouse infrastructure is investment-heavy and incurs high operational costs. Moreover, today, the market is full of third-party logistics companies. These organisations, specialising in warehouse management, have a large clientele. Given their daily order volume, the facility can break even faster than others would.
So, does in-house automation-led warehousing make sense?
As 3PL contracts are likely to cost less than brand-owned warehouses, in most cases, the answer is no. However, in this blog, our focus area is different. We will study large-scale organisations that can even bypass human-led in-house warehousing.
Already, due to cheap labour, India is late for end-to-end e-commerce warehouse automation. Thus, transitioning from an Intralogistics company’s customer to running a warehouse is challenging. The change can be even more daunting due to the solutions’ state-of-the-art technologies.
What Are the Top Automated Warehouse Solutions for E-Commerce Businesses?
Along with DWS Systems, there are several vital solutions for e-commerce warehouse automation:
- Sorters/ Sortation Systems
- ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System)
For designing a robust warehouse management solution suite, it is important to ask:
- What are the key features of digital warehouse solutions in e-commerce?
- How does warehouse automation improve order fulfilment in e-commerce businesses?
Let’s tackle these questions in the next section!
Wondering why DWS Systems are important for e-commerce warehouses? Know how the solution helps build a comprehensive automation ecosystem!
How Does a DWS System Set off a Chain Reaction of Processes in E-Commerce Warehouse Automation?
Warehouse automation solutions wirelessly transfer the workflow data they instantly auto-capture. This capability is central to warehouse automation solutions used in fast-paced e-commerce operations.
At first, this data is processed by the Warehouse Management System (WMS) software. Once processed, the data is relayed to the Warehouse Control System (WCS) software.
Due to differing programming languages, the WCS interface is necessary for solution-to-solution communication. The interlinked e-commerce warehouse automation solutions create an intelligent flow of data-driven decision-making.
It is also worth noting that separating WCS and WMS allows smooth data transfer. The platforms, being distinct, prevent blocks in network pathways, supporting fast-paced shipment processing.
Here are a few solutions, synchronised to form a continuous workflow. This workflow, designed to improve e-commerce order fulfilment rate, is as follows:
- DWS data triggers sorter pushers to nudge items at the right time into the corresponding bin
- Using the DWS System inputs the WMS allocates material-handling robots
- The data also informs the ASRS systems, enabling manual-heavy-lifting-free storage and retrieval
These seamlessly connected solutions illustrate DWS Systems’ key role in Warehouse Automation. Let’s examine the workflows facilitated by the solution’s core components:
- Integrated strain gauge scale
- Machine-Vision-powered 3D profilers and code readers
Workflows & Advantages: Why Are DWS Systems Important for E-commerce Warehouses?
Here are some use cases of the DWS data:
- Volumetric-Weight-Based Billing:
Shipping charges constitute a big portion of the OPEX. Hence, with underbilling, little room for profitability remains. Further, incorrect or unjustifiable shipping charges erode customer trust.
DWS System readings are used in a billing framework that accounts for:
- The space the parcel would occupy in a freight/container/ vehicle
- The dead weight of the parcel
- Storage charges
The first consideration helps counter the impact of the parcel’s dimensions on OPEX.
Let’s consider a scenario where the parcel is larger than average shipments. The shipment takes up the space for another parcel. Therefore, the e-commerce platform must allocate extra resources to successfully deliver the batch.
Similarly, even small parcels can be heavy and exert a massive force on the vehicle. Hence, the required fuel per unit increases compared to shipments of identical mass.
- Storage and Retrieval for Optimal Space Utilisation:
Based on the dimension and the PIN Code, the right slot for the shipments is chosen, ensuring that:
- Minimal space is wasted, curtailing lost opportunity costs in terms of storage charges
- Shipments, scheduled for adjacent destinations and shipping dates, are clubbed together
- Flawless Sortation for Non-Stop Order Processing:
The sorter pushers are commanded by the WCS based on the label-encrypted shipment ID. A key detail encoded in this ID is the PIN Code of the delivery address. This very information ensures that shipments are nudged into the right bin.
Without an accurate sorting process, the shipments risk being lost, delayed, or misdelivered.
- Logistics Planning for Outbound Shipments:
Like the use of storage units, shipment details help prevent overspending on transportation. The dimensions are used to calculate the least number of outbound vehicles required. Similarly, the shipment weight is compared to the vehicle’s payload. To avoid a breakdown or excessive fuel charges.
- Intralogistics Material-Handling for Workflow Efficiency:
Selecting AMRs also depends on the shipments’ dimensions and weight. This is because if shipments are too big or heavy, the autonomous vehicle risks damage. Needless to say, repairing the robotic carrier is likely to burn a large hole in the management’s pocket.
To further know why DWS Systems are important for e-commerce warehouses:
What Are the Benefits of the Workflows Empowered by DWS Data?
Key advantages of a DWS System-driven automation setup are:
- Improved profitability thanks to reduced operational costs due tooptimaluse of resources
Here, resources include storage space and the energy expenditure on intralogistics and outbound shipping, among others.
- Higher throughput supported by the right intralogistics tools, enabling on-time order fulfilment
- Enhanced customer satisfaction driven by quicker ortimelyorder fulfilment
The efficiency is further enhanced when DWS Systems are integrated with sorters. Known as Dynamic DWS Systems, these setups are specifically designed for demanding environments. Online retail distribution centres are one such scenario.
But how do dynamic warehouse systems improve efficiency in online retail distribution centres? What’s the difference between the efficiency of dynamic and static DWS systems?
The answer is the conveyor linking the DWS and the sortation systems. This feature differentiates Static and Dynamic DWS Systems. The conveyor-based system eliminates the gap between the two workstations, improving workflow efficiency.
The Static DWS, however, is relatively slower. Yet the machine gives the operators an edge over those without DWS solutions. Autonomous G2P robots transfer shipments between the DWS machine and the sorter. In this manner, all lags caused by manual intervention are eliminated.
Note for Those Seeking a Technology Partner for E-Commerce Warehouse Automation
Wanted to get started on e-commerce warehouse automation? Curious, where can you find demos of warehouse automation technology for e-commerce? Quinta’s solution-building capabilities are ideal for legacy modernisation. In the vast automation sector, our focus areas are domains with heavy intralogistics. This includes the warehousing and e-commerce industries, among others.
Thanks to the dedication of our team of experts, we have emerged as among the industry leaders. Let’s know more about our offerings in the section below!
What Distinguishes Quinta as a Technology Partner for E-Commerce Warehouse Automation?
Following a holistic approach, Quinta has transformed several operations with customised solutions.
While Quinta’s services focus on integration and installation, our key strength lies elsewhere. Our solution design capabilities set us apart in this saturated automation solution market. Moreover, we are one of the few players in the market that boast both software and hardware.
Leveraging our design thinking, we have built an extensive portfolio of customised solutions. DWS Systems and sorters are among the few solution types we have integrated.
Additionally, we strive to offer quick and extensive post-sale customer support. Thus, we ensure that our clients can operate at peak efficiency, with minimal, if not zero, downtime.
Finally, it is worth noting that our solutions are defined by customer-centricity. Hence, some of the central considerations are:
- Operational needs
- Digital transformation budget
- Business goals
Curious to know more? Contact us today and get started on a robust e-commerce warehouse automation journey! Our experts swiftly get in touch with you.
With Quinta, set the benchmark for automation in the industry and gain a competitive edge!
Frequently Asked Questions
Industrial robots are connected to the WMS through the WCS software. Powered by the WMS, the robots eliminate manual intervention, reducing overhead costs. The preconditions for integrating robotics into the warehouse management setup are:
- Defining the tasks a robot can perform
- Opting for a solid WMS software platform
- Ensuring that the solution hardware is robust
- Checking for the hardware’s compatibility with wireless data transmission
In India, Quinta is behind some of the best warehouse automation projects. This track record has placed us among the top consultants and solution builders.
In India, Quinta is behind some of the best warehouse automation projects. This track record has placed us among the top consultants and solution builders.
The headquarters of most Indian automation solution providers are located in major cities. For example, Quinta is also based in Bangalore. However, we have a presence across major as well as satellite offices across India and beyond.
Quinta features among the foremost warehouse automation system builders in India.
The key advantages of autonomous vehicles are:
- Reduced manual labour and the accidents it causes
- Efficient G2P (e.g. minimising the time taken between the sorting station and the Static DWS System)
- Dynamic navigation, including anti-collision capabilities
The important e-commerce warehouse automation solutions include:
- DWS Systems
- Warehouse Robots
- Sorters/ Sortation Systems>
- ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System)
Quinta is also known for its robust WMS software, which can integrate a wide range of solutions. Our experts can be contacted here: https://www.quinta.co.in/contact/
