Survey: Automation helps warehouse retention
A new survey reveals that warehouse associates want automation, as long as it is deployed in certain key areas.
"Elevating Every Move: The Formula for High-Performance Warehousing," a survey of global warehouse employees and leaders from Zebra Technologies, reveals that 85% of associate respondents said, "If my employer does not invest in technology to improve warehouse operations, we will not meet business objectives."
An overwhelming 93% of associates agreed the increased availability of automation and mobile technologies would help attract and retain more warehouse associates, and 89% say they feel more valued by their employers when provided with technology tools and automation designed to help them.
In addition, 74% of associates are concerned they are spending too much time on tasks that could be automated and 72% are concerned about safety on the warehouse floor, including 70% specifically worried about injuries.
Almost seven-in-10 (69%) surveyed associates reported there is a lack of qualified staff on the warehouse floor and expressed concerns about fatigue and physical exhaustion.
Specific automated solutions associate respondents would like to see used in the warehouse include task management tools (91%), collaborative robots (88%), ergonomic mobile devices (88%), and communications applications (87%).
“Warehouse associates are telling us they feel their lives would be better if their employers thoughtfully integrated more automation solutions into their workflows,” said Andres Boullosa, global warehouse vertical strategy leader, Zebra Technologies. “Automating material movement, data collection, and information management helps make busy warehouses safer. It also makes it easier for teams to meet SLAs and maintain a steady, reliable flow of quality goods to the market, which increases both customer satisfaction and worker engagement.”
Warehouse leaders look to AI
Surveyed warehouse leaders indicate they are aware of the need for automation. More than six-in-10 (63%) surveyed warehouse leaders plan to implement AI and augmented reality software within five years.
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In addition, 64% plan to increase spending on warehouse modernization in the next five years, and 63% plan to accelerate their modernization timelines by 2029. Roughly half of warehouse leaders said they find it challenging to maintain the fill rates (51%) and prepare orders (47%) outlined in their service level agreements, with order accuracy and outbound processes cited as the top two operational challenges.
Warehouse leaders believe the biggest impact of mobile device-based AI applications will center on worker safety, quality control, and inventory management. While 79% say AI will positively impact their ability to detect potential hazards and issue alerts for prevention, 78% think AI would have make an impact on their ability to detect issues or anomalies using AI.
In addition, 77% feel AI applications would impact their ability to forecast needs, streamline stock levels, and maximize space using AI applications.
Seven-in-10 surveyed warehouse leaders who plan to augment/automate their warehouse tasks or have already done so say their goal is to mitigate errors (71%) and meet SLAs (70%).
They also hope automation will increase worker efficiency and productivity (54%) as well as reduce order errors and manual picking (53%). And more than eight-in-10 (82%) surveyed warehouse leaders agree giving warehouse workers more technology tools will help them exceed productivity goals while reducing physical strain and preventing injuries. Eighty-one percent said automation improves worker morale.
Zebra Technologies commissioned a global research study conducted online by Azure Knowledge Corporation that included over 1,700 associates and decision-makers across manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics and wholesale distribution.
