It is a fact that the entire material handling sector is now talking about industry 4.0 and digitization. But what do such complex terms mean for the material handling industry? Well, one thing is clear: their potential is huge. The digital revolution created by advanced digital technologies is simplifying processes by effectively connecting multiple systems and lowering the operators’ workload. 

Even though the digital revolution has created some mighty challenges, you can easily deal with this using the advanced solution. It has been projected that the digital transformation technology’s application within this sector would witness around a six per cent increase in the coming years. Every facility operator and manager understands the real importance of efficient material handling. And with digital and automation technologies, this can be done quite effectively. 

Digital Transformation- Supporting the Growth of Material Handling Businesses 

The global material handling industry is now moving towards digital transformation. The business owners are now deploying process automation solutions in the fulfillment and distribution centers. In order to keep pace with the growing e-commerce fulfillment order volumes and requirements, the businesses are now taking steps for a smooth transition to a more digital and automated process.

Well, different studies have suggested that automation alone will not be enough. To attain the desired level of success in this competitive marketplace, material handling business owners are now using advanced IIoT- Industrial Internet of Things technologies and other technologies. Some of the useful technologies are: 

• Big Data and Analytics

In the material handling process, big data includes the process required to inspect, aggregate, transform, clean, and model the data to identify crucial information and suggestions for an informed decision-making process. As it allows businesses to collect and utilize data effectively, they now witness a constant improvement in their supply chain efficiency as well as reliability. 

• The IoT

In the case of material handling in the warehouse, the IoT- Internet of Things supports coordination and communication across storage and retrieval systems, forklifts, conveyors, material scanning and other important systems. This digital transformation tool helps business owners to witness a new level of automation and visibility. 

• Tech-savvy Workforce

It is a fact that the influence of mobile technology in life has made the workforce in distribution facilities and warehouse centers familiar and comfortable with new technologies. The new generation joining the workforce will want the equipment they will operate to provide them with the exact experience that will be quite similar to their engagement with their smartphones or cards. And the advancement in technology has helped the business owners to provide them with the same. 

• Introduction of Robotics in Material Handling

While the technologies mentioned above focus on productivity, advanced robotics majors focus on automating different manual tasks. The advanced robots that are being deployed in the field have great sensing capabilities as well as algorithms. As a result, they can sense the environment and make the right decision accordingly. As the material handling tasks are quite variable, robotics has become a good solution. Some also come with advanced vision sensors to complete the palletizing and depalletizing process smoothly. 

All these modern technologies, which are parts of the digital revolution, will make your supply chain more reliable, efficient and you will witness lower costs.