Solutions Community Blog

The MHI Solutions Community brings together thought leaders in automation, software, hardware, equipment, and services supporting a fully integrated supply chain. Members include suppliers, integrators, consultants, media, academia, and users collaborating in a non-commercial environment. Explore articles on supply chain trends, technology integration, and material handling solutions.

Solutions Community members are Industry’s thought leaders on automation, software, hardware, equipment and services that support a fully integrated supply chain. This includes suppliers, integrators, consultants, media, academia and users. They collaborate on solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector. The philosophy of the Solutions Community is to support MHI’s mission of providing a unique venue where suppliers of material handling equipment and technology can collaboratively work with the user community to improve the marketplace for all. All participants adhere to a safe harbor no-buy, no-sell environment to openly discuss topics of mutual interest, including best practices, lessons learned and other information. Goals of the Solutions Community include: Identifying, developing and disseminating forward-looking value propositions for Material Handling and Supply Chain practitioners; Identifying market trends and challenges in Material Handling and Supply Chain operations in order to develop timely and relevant solutions; Providing a forum for discussion of business and technology trends; and, Establishing strong connections between Members of the Group with the community of Supply Chain and Material Handling product and service providers, as well as organizations and individuals interested in Solutions Community activities; A basic tenet of the Solutions Community is to create a non-commercial environment that fosters networking, relationship building and the open exchange of information. Mission To engage and collaborate with suppliers, practitioners, and stakeholders in timely discussions towards supply chain solutions. Vision Inspiring evolutionary excellence in the supply chain through diverse stakeholder collaboration. Members meet regularly to exchange ideas and develop Information Systems solutions for Supply Chains. Solutions Community Programs include: Engagement on an ongoing basis with: The User community. Adjacent communities such as: Consultants, Market Research Firms, Vertical Market Organizations, supply chain associations, academia, and regulatory agencies. Developing educational and seminar materials for presentation to interested communities. Providing public relations outreach on behalf of MHI relative to solutions. Authoring solutions blueprints and white papers Proactively responding to media to positively share information with the marketplace and position ISSG. Establish thought leadership on how information system solutions support the U.S. Roadmap for Material Handling & Logistics.. Conducting surveys on technology trends and developments To enable organizations to achieve material handling and supply chain excellence by facilitating the delivery of meaningful, innovative and practical information.

Blog Posts — page 2 of 2

Mobile Autonomous Vehicles: Comparing On-Premise To Cloud-Based Hosting Options

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn about the options for hosting fleet management, monitoring, analytics, and control software for AGVs and AMRs in this educational session.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AGVs, AMRs, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Cloud Computing, MAVs, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mobile Automation Group, Mobile Autonomous Vehicles

Social Distancing In The Warehouse Made Easier With Robotics

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how collaborative and autonomous mobile robots enables workers to maintain a safe distance apart to avoid potential exposure to viruses.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Social Distancing

Preview ProMatDX 2021’s Must-See Technologies In Solutions Community’s Education Session

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Use this seminar to find the latest technologies being demonstrated and presented by the industry’s leading organizations during ProMatDX.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Education, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Solutions, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Distribution Solutions, MHI, ProMatDX, ProMatDX 2021, Warehouse Solutions, Workforce

Think Robotics Is Out Of Reach For Small And Mid-Sized Facilities? Think Again

By Warehouse Automation Blog

New video details how affordable piece picking robots, automated vehicles and sortation systems can offer benefits for smaller operations.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Workforce

Warehouse Software: Discerning The Differences Between WMS, WCS And WES

By Warehouse Automation Blog

With overlapping functionality and capabilities in certain areas, it can be challenging to determine which software is ideal for an operation.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Warehouse Control Software, Warehouse Control System, Warehouse Execution Software, Warehouse Execution System, Warehouse Management Software, Warehouse Management System, Warehouse Software, WCS, WES, WMS, Workforce

Mobile Robots Support Safer Fulfillment Environments During Pandemic

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how robots support social distancing and increased order volumes while protecting employees with integrated, on-board safety devices.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Safety, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Workforce

Software + Machines + Workers = Highly Efficient, Real-Time Decision Making

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Discover how today’s warehousing solutions are working together to more efficiently and effectively leverage an operation’s resources.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Flexible Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Software

Supply Chain Adoption Trends In Collaborative Robotics

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Adoption of automated, collaborative robots is on the rise, not only due to the pandemic, but also to address labor and productivity challenges.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Cobots, Collaborative Robot, Collaborative Robotics, Human-Robot Collaborations, International Federation of Robotics (IFR), Logistics, Material Handling, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robotics, Robots, Roots Analysis, Workforce

Lessons From Operations That Implemented An Automated Micro Fulfillment System

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Hear insights about designing, requesting proposals, and installing in-store automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) to fill online orders.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Micro Fulfillment, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Micro-Fulfillment, Workforce

Key Considerations When Developing An Automated Micro Fulfillment Strategy

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Prior to embarking on a journey to in-store automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), reflect upon these three points to ensure success.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Micro Fulfillment, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Micro-Fulfillment, Workforce

Cybersecurity And Its Importance To Supply Chains

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn why material handling and logistics are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and techniques to minimize or prevent these threats.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Education, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Solutions, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Cyber Security, Cyberattacks, Cybersecurity, Digital Supply Chain, Flexible Automation, Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, IoT, Logistics, Machine Learning, Material Handling, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, ML, Robotics, Workforce

Why Pairing Forked AGVs With AMRs Delivers Better ROI

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how using AGVs to lift and lower loads in centralized areas, and AMRs to transport them, increases productivity and maximizes efficiency.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AGV, AGVs, AMR, AMRs, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Forked AGV, Forked AGVs, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mobile Automation Group

Three Ways Robotic Solutions Are Addressing COVID-19 Supply Chain Challenges

By Warehouse Automation Blog

As manufacturing, fulfillment and distribution facilities struggle to maintain productivity during shutdowns, robots help pick up the slack.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Education, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, Coronavirus, COVID, COVID-19, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Workforce

Goods-To-Person ASRS Technologies Address Multiple Labor Challenges

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how different automated storage and retrieval systems can help existing workforces to be more efficient, accurate and productive.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Fulfillment, Automated Storage, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, G2P, G2P Fulfillment, Goods to Person, Goods To Person Fulfillment, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Pocket Sorter, Pouch Sorter

Switching To Automated, Goods-To-Person Fulfillment? Gather Company-Wide Input On Material Flow Expectations First

By Warehouse Automation Blog

In this cautionary tale from MHI’s Solutions Community, learn why it’s key to solicit input across the value chain before investing in automation.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Education, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Distribution, Distribution Center, Goods to Person, GTP, GTP Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Solutions Community

Calculating The Potential ROI For A Robotic Installation

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how to incorporate labor variables such as turnover, absenteeism and onboarding into the justification for an investment in robotics.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automation, Co-Bots, Collaborative Robots, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robotic Integration, Robotic Material Handling, Robotic Safety, Robotics, Robots

Exploring The Differences Between Vertical Lift Modules And Vertical Carousels

By Warehouse Automation Blog

While they both store items vertically on sub-divided trays in manufacturing and warehousing, VLMs and vertical carousels operate differently.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Storage, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Carousel, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Vertical Carousel, Vertical Lift Module, VLM, Workforce

Besides Robots, Learn What Other Technologies Are Needed For Successful Warehouse Automation

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Thinking of installing a robotic solution? Here are some of the other types of equipment and systems that should be considered as well.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automation, Co-Bots, Collaborative Robots, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robotic Integration, Robotic Material Handling, Robotic Safety, Robotics, Robots

Ideas For Resolving Warehouse Labor Shortage Issues Shared In MODEX 2020 Session By The MHI Solutions Community

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn ways to overcome labor shortages, mitigate labor risks and improve labor constraints through process improvements and innovative solutions.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, ASRS, Workforce, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Barcode Scanners, Conveyors, Label Print-and_apply, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, MODEX, MODEX 2020, Scales, Warehouse Execution Software, Warehouse Execution System, Warehouse Management Software, Warehouse Management System, WES, WMS

Three Ways To Improve The Human-Robot Working Relationship

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Discover key steps to take prior to investing in collaborative robotics to ensure the safety of personnel who will interface with the system.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics

Updated Safety Standards For Autonomous Vehicles Detailed In MAG’s MODEX 2020 Education Session

By Warehouse Automation Blog

With more autonomous mobile robots in operation, a variety of new and revised standards for their safe operation and use have been released.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AGV, AGVs, American National Standard, AMR, AMRs, ANSI, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Autonomous Mobile Robots, International Organization for Standardization, ISO, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mobile Automation Group, MODEX, MODEX 2020, RIA, Robotics Industries Association, UL, Underwriters Laboratories

How Software Makes Automation Even More Effective

By Warehouse Automation Blog

The latest warehouse execution software (WES) systems are optimizing automation investments and existing labor to create a cohesive operation.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Productivity, AMR, AMRs, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Solutions, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Autonomous Mobile Robots, Digital Supply Chain, Flexible Automation, MHI, MHI Annual Industry Report, MHI Solutions Community, Robotics, Warehouse Execution System, Warehouse Management System, WES, WMS, Workforce

How MODEX’s Flexible Automation Solutions Maximize Investment, Process Adaptability

By Warehouse Automation Blog

With improved functionality and declining costs, flexible automation solutions help companies more easily adapt to changing business needs.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Flexible Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, MODEX, MODEX 2020, Robot, Robotics, Workforce

Want Higher Performance Rates? Add Robotics To Human Workforce

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn how the addition of collaborative robotics and autonomous mobile robots to handle routine tasks supports and enhances worker efficiencies.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, The Robotics Group

Dispelling 4 Common Misconceptions About AGVs

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Autonomous guided vehicles offer many benefits to workforce strapped facilities, but many operators erroneously believe they’re not a good fit.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Education, AGVs, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mobile Automation Group

Sustainable Parcel Delivery: Innovative Solutions Address Last Mile Challenges

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Drones, robots and electric-powered vehicles are just a few of the technologies being deployed to cut emissions and reduce delivery costs.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Vehicle, Automation, Boxbot, Drones, Last Mile Delivery, McKinsey & Company, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Nuro, Robot, Robotics, Starship, Udelv

10 Tips For Implementing Automated Fulfillment Solutions

By Warehouse Automation Blog

When considering an investment in automation for order fulfillment, be sure to evaluate these critical — but sometimes overlooked — areas.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Advanced Analytics, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Big Data, Drones, Fulfillment, Fulfillment Automation, Internet of Things, IoT, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Predictive Modeling, Robots, Workforce

Three Key AGV Functions Controlled By Variety Of Technologies

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Learn more about the systems that enable automatic guided vehicle systems to navigate as they maneuver loads safely through an operation.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AGV Maneuvering, AGV Navigation, AGV Safety, AGVs, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Cart AGV, Custom Engineered AGV, Fork-Based AGV, Masted AGV, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Tow AGV, Tugger AGV, Unit Load AGV

How Small To Midsize E-Commerce Retailers Can Transition From Manual To Automated Picking

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Free webinar tours benefits of automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), installation steps, and considerations for solution selection.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Carousel, Horizontal Carousel, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mini Load, Shuttle, Shuttle ASRS, Shuttles, Unit Load, Vertical Carousel, Vertical Lift Module, VLM, Webinar, Workforce

Why Blockchain’s Potential To Transform Supply Chain Management Needs More Research

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Two UC Berkeley professors identify four categories of issues that researchers must address for Blockchain to feasibly impact supply chains.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Blockchain, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Supply Chain Management, Workforce

Industry 4.0 And IIoT: Transforming Material Handling And Supply Chains

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Explore the implementation and usage trends surrounding the industry buzzwords to separate the hype from the reality of enterprise connectivity.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Workforce

Leveraging Collaborative Robotics To Address Labor Challenges

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Explore the opportunities and benefits of implementing cobots into warehousing and distribution centers to handle repetitive tasks.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, Cobots, Collaborative Robotics, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics

E-commerce And Its Demands For Single Item Selectivity Driving Latest AR/RS Innovations

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Today’s automated storage and retrieval systems are flexible, scalable and have innovative add-ons to handle more variable items with less labor.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Carousel, Horizontal Carousel, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mini Load, Shuttle, Shuttle ASRS, Shuttles, Unit Load, Vertical Carousel, Vertical Lift Module, VLM, Workforce

How To Address Barriers To New Technology Implementations With A Crawl-Walk-Run Approach

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Start small and measure results from piloting new technologies to confirm expected value as a means to bolster the investment business case.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Technology, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Automation Implementation, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robot, Robotics, Workforce

5 Ways AGVs Enhance Safety In Plants, Warehouses

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Equipped with redundant safety systems to prevent collisions, automatic guided vehicle systems also deliver a host of other safety benefits.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Safety, AGV Safety, AGVs, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Facility Safety, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Warehouse Safety, Workplace Safety

With Workforce Challenges Prompting Greater Interest In Robots, MHI’s New Robotics Industry Group Offers Resources

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Newest source for information on robotic deployments in distribution and fulfillment helps companies address potential barriers to adoption.

Tags: Blog, TRG, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Co-Bots, Collaborative Robots, Labor, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Robotic Material Handling, Robotic Picking, Robotics, Robots

Six Ways To Staff An Automated Distribution Center

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Follow these tips to ensure that an investment in automation will be used and maintained to its full potential by current and potential workers.

Tags: Blog, SolutionsCommunity, Workforce, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Labor, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Staffing

Need Dense Storage? There’s An AS/RS For That

By Warehouse Automation Blog

Automated storage and retrieval systems come in different shapes and sizes to handle a variety of product shapes, sizes, weights and velocities.

Tags: Blog, ASRS, SolutionsCommunity, Productivity, AS/RS, Automated Distribution, Automated Distribution Center, Automated Facility, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, Automated Warehouse, Automation, Carousel, Horizontal Carousel, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Mini Load, Shuttle, Shuttle ASRS, Shuttles, Unit Load, Vertical Carousel, Vertical Lift Module, VLM, Workforce

Picking The Right AGV For Your Operation Depends On Your Handling Needs

By Warehouse Automation Blog

There are five categories of automatic guided vehicles in the market. Learn the key differences when picking the best one for your application.

Tags: Blog, MAG, SolutionsCommunity, Education, AGC, AGVs, Automatic Guided Cart, Automatic Guided Vehicles, Automation, Cart AGV, Custom Engineered AGV, Fork-Based AGV, Masted AGV, MHI, MHI Solutions Community, Tow AGV, Tugger AGV, Unit Load AGV


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