As Worker Shortage Strains Warehouses, Manhattan Associates Offers Automation Tech Help

Manhattan Associates Inc. rolled out two solutions this week aimed at improving the productivity and efficiency of fulfillment centers as well as to retailers engaged in omnichannel activities. For warehouses and fulfillment centers, the company launched the Manhattan Automation Network, which is “a program designed to speed the development and implementation of modern distribution center automation and robotics.” In this first phase, the company has partnered with several warehouse-level technology firms, including Kindred AI, Locus Robotics, Matthews Automation Solutions, Right Hand Robotics and VCO Systems, to implement the network. Fueling demand for upgrading distribution centers is the continued growth of online sales and omnichannel retailing as well as a shortage of warehouse employees, which is “putting tremendous pressure on distribution centers,” Manhattan Associates Inc. said in a statement. “As a result, many warehouses are aggressively adopting automation and robotics solutions to supplement their human workforces,” the company said. “However, integrating the workflows between these automated solutions and human workers, other automated solutions and other distribution center software can be difficult and expensive.” This is where its automation network program can help, the company said, adding that the platform is “designed to reduce the cost and complexity of adopting warehouse automation solutions. It provides prebuilt

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Read More...

from WWDWWD http://bit.ly/2LZDQz8