Automating your inventory system, using both inventory management software and structural storage and retrieval systems, brings big benefits, particularly if your shop has adopted Lean principles to reduce costs and eliminate wasted steps in the effort to achieve greater productivity.

Automated systems don't have to be extensive, expensive or difficult to install. Many challenges to tracking inventory in fabricating shops or in small distribution centers can be met by initiating simple automation, according to Ed Romaine, v.p. of Marketing for Remstar International, a unit of the Kardex AG Remstar International Group. Remstar provides automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution and warehousing applications.

“Simple automation is the installation and integration of automated storage-and-retrieval systems, such as vertical and horizontal carousels and vertical life modules (VLMs), into small parts and items handling operations,” says Romaine. “It's doing more with less — more efficient order picking operations at less cost and with smaller staffs — and the right combination of equipment, software and processes can significantly improve storage and retrieval efficiency.”

Simple automation like Remstar's storage-and-retrieval systems, can be installed over a weekend, and have the advantage of significantly improving the efficiency and productivity of parts picking, while offering a more accurate method of maintaining inventories and reducing “mispicks.” Automated systems also allow quick access to goods by bringing items to the operator at an ergonomic height.

For smaller fabricating or distribution operations, automated systems take advantage of unused overhead space. “Floor-to-truss space optimization can reclaim up to 85% of the space used by traditional rack, shelving and drawer systems,” notes Romaine. “Recovered space can often be converted for use in more value added operations.”

Remstar's (www.remstar.com) automated storage and retrieval systems provide 100% accessible storage, and have easy-to-use controls and software, plus integrated pick-to-light technology that improves throughput up to 600% in some applications while increasing accuracy to 99.9% levels. Inventory management and control software can be used alone or interfaced with proprietary inventory control software to assure optimum inventory levels.

AutoCrib Inc. (www.autocrib.com) offers its cost-effective innovative industrial vending technology. While AutoCrib's vending machines look similar to those containing sandwiches, chips and candy bars in the lunchroom, these industrial vending devices dispense various tools and safety equipment. For example, the company's RoboCrib 2000 provides secure “issue and return” for more than 2,000 items in under 10 seconds. It's said to be ideal for tools, fasteners, welding supplies, MRO, and safety gloves, and it even dispenses large bulk items.

AutoCrib's industrial vending machines offer a cost-effective way to track inventories, thus tracking costs. The vending machines come in a variety of sizes to accommodate shops of any size from large to small, including the AutoCrib TouchVend that offers a secure inventory control and reordering system. AutoCrib's software provides real-time data usage so that reordering tools and supplies is easy.

Remstar's Romaine says that automated storage and retrieval systems reduce redundant or non-essential handling, especially in applications requiring frequent reuse of stored items. “Since automated storage and retrieval systems can integrate software controls that can restrict and track part usage to specific individuals, departments or shifts, it's easier to track costs and improve the overall bottom line,” Romaine says. “And, they can be easily configured to accommodate physical changes in stored items, allowing companies to keep on hand only what they need, effectively reducing overstocking.”