6 reasons why organizations should consider saving ...automation the intelligent material handling...

A U T O M A T I O NThe Intelligent Material Handling Company

S A P I E N T

6 Reasons Why Organizations Should Consider Saving Space and Time with Vertical Storage

and Retrieval Systems

W H I T E P A P E R S E R I E S

30 South Pine Street | Doylestown, PA 18901 | [email protected] | www.GetSapient.com

877.451.4044 215.489.7820

Subsidiary of MDCI

What is the value of unused space? It can have

significant value for companies that choose to

take advantage of it in storage facilities.

Automated storage and retrieval systems, such as Vertical

Carousels and Vertical Lift Modules (VLM) take advantage of

unused overhead space to recover 60% to 85% of the floor

space typically required by shelving and drawer systems.

Vertical storage and retrieval systems, such as Sapient

Automation’s Viper® VLM and Avenger® Vertical Carousel,

are designed with rotating shelves that move up or down in

response to operator commands, delivering items at an

ergonomically positioned window for easy removal.

The floor space recovered with the installation of vertical

storage and retrieval systems can often be re-allocated from

cost-associated functions of inventory to value-increasing

production operations. Improved space utilization can also

extend the useful life of existing facilities, eliminating the need

for expensive square footage expansion to meet growth

requirements. Their small unit footprint makes vertical systems

especially valuable for point-of-use storage and Just-in-Time

(JIT) applications.

Because of their vertical design, these systems can be used

to link multiple operations located on different floors, further

reducing the amount of space required for storage and

retrieval activities while improving workflow.

Saving Space Saves Time and MoneyThe space savings benefits of vertical storage and retrieval

systems, however, are just a small piece of the savings potential

of these systems. There are a number of reasons why reducing

the amount of space required by storage and retrieval systems

can result in significant savings in time and money.

Reason 1: Conventional static storage systems like shelving

require employees to spend up to 70% of their time traveling

aisles searching for items. Vertical automated storage and


S P A C E S A V I N G S


877.451.4044 215.489.7820Subsidiary of MDCI

2

Space Savings(sq ft)

317 - 328461 - 472569 - 616713 - 724821 - 868to 929

Space Savings(percentages)

76%82%85%88%89%91%

CeilingHeight

15’20’25’30’35’40’

EliminatedShelving Sections

31 - 3545 - 4959 - 6573 - 8087 - 94to 100

retrieval systems deliver items automatically to the operator,

eliminating wasted walk and search time. The access area of

vertical systems is ergonomically designed to present stored

items at an ideal height for picking, usually about waist high.

Typically, an operator’s walk and search time is reversed from

that of conventional systems to 70% picking and only 30%

dwell time. In many applications, this reversal of walk and

search time can reduce labor requirements by up to 66%.

Even with a smaller workforce, productivity can increase by an

average of more than 2.5 times in typical applications.

Reason 2: Vertical storage

and retrieval systems also

offer increased picking

speed and accuracy when

compared with rack and

shelving systems. Intuitive

controls and software

allow organizations to

use batch picking and

integrated pick-to-light

technology to improve

throughput up to

500% in some applications. With the addition of position

indicators, information displays, bar code scanning devices,

inventory management and control software, picking accuracy

can improve to 99.99%.

Reason 3: Redundant or non-essential handling can be reduced

with vertical systems. Throughput improves, and the time

saved results in less operating cost and improved customer

service. Vertical storage and retrieval systems can be integrated

with ERP and WMS software to provide precise inventory

management.

Reason 4: Since vertical systems are totally enclosed and

lockable, they protect products from external hazards and

reduce product damage and pilfering. Because of this,

inventories can often be reduced. Access to vertical storage

and retrieval systems can be controlled and tracked making it





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easy to keep specific items or groups of items secure from

unauthorized personnel.

Making ‘Green’ Bottom Line ViableGoing “green” with sustainable design and construction

makes sense for the environment, but it’s sometimes difficult

to justify.

Reason 5: By reducing the amount of space required for

storage and retrieval operations, companies can construct

smaller, more energy efficient buildings, shrinking the

construction footprint by up to 15% in some cases, conserving

natural resources and reducing maintenance costs. This

improved space utilization helps reduce energy costs, which

helps reduce an organization’s overall carbon footprint.

Reason 6: The ergonomic location of the access area also

contributes to employee safety since this positioning design

eliminates the bending, climbing and stretching associated

with conventional shelving and rack systems. This can reduce

the potential for injuries and the resulting Workers’

Compensation claims and workdays lost to recovery.

Return on investment for vertical storage and retrieval

systems can be as fast as 18 months.

Vertical storage and retrieval systems are deigned to

significantly reduce to space necessary for storage and

retrieval operations, allowing that recovered floor space to be

used in revenue generating operations. However, there are

other benefits as well, and when those benefits are combined

with space savings, the resulting reduction in costs and

improvement in productivity can boost the performance

of any business.

Sapient Automation, a subsidiary of MDCI, is a leading

provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for

manufacturing, distribution, warehouses, institutions, retail

and wholesale. For information about the Vertical Storage

and Retrieval Systems, please call 888-451-9711, email:

[email protected] or visit the Sapient Automation web

site at www.GetSapient.com.

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