E-commerce
In recent years, the e-commerce industry has become a key part of the global economy. Consumers demand quick, low-cost deliveries, which has placed the focus on supply chain optimisation, particularly in storage and distribution.
This rising trend has completely transformed logistics and warehouses, since an e-commerce warehouse requires different operations to a conventional one. In this type of warehouse, a large number of orders are prepared that often include several items and which are delivered to customers in the shortest possible time.
AR Racking’s experience allows us to provide a wide variety of storage systems adapted to warehouse management software for companies from all sectors that use e-commerce.
Storage systems for the e-commerce sector
Manual picking systems
In the warehouses of e-commerce businesses, manual picking systems are the most common type of storage systems, predominantly focused on order preparation. In these systems, simple location of the load and rapid loading and unloading is prioritised.
Large number of references
The industrial racking systems to be installed must be prepared to store many different product references and allow direct and quick access to all the unit loads. It is a more fragmented sector than even retail, with a large number of product references and few quantities for each reference.
The main objective of storage systems for e-commerce is to ensure quick and error-free order preparation.
Pick Tower: growing use
One of the most popular systems among large e-commerce companies in recent years is the Pick Tower. These are manual picking structures for medium or light loads with several floors or levels along which operators can pass to prepare or collect products for orders.
More complex are the automated systems, in which the structure is of high density and the goods are collected and moved by stacker cranes and conveyors.
Variety of sizes and weights
E-commerce goods differ greatly from one another, being of varying volume and weight which often hinders warehouse operations. The warehouse will have to be adapted for different unit loads, which can range from heavy furniture to small electronic items such as watches.
Characteristics of the e-commerce sector
Continuous growth of online shopping
Due to mass Internet access and cultural and social changes, online shopping has skyrocketed and continues to grow constantly due to its great adaptability to different types of customers, the flexibility and speed of purchase, the different payment methods that it offers, the extended time limits and geographical boundaries, etc. These characteristics cannot be achieved without a good supply chain together with optimum storage and distribution.
Rapid storage systems
The rise in e-commerce has been made evident by the idea that customer satisfaction constitutes the top priority. E-commerce warehouses must be very well-organised, both in the distribution of goods and in the activities of workers, focusing on supplying customers with the requested orders. This requires having storage and management systems that speed up and streamline order preparation.
In an e-commerce warehouse, automated and manual storage systems can be implemented best suited to the specific nature of the business and that speed up access to products, order preparation, order reception and shipment…
Recommended Industrial Racking:
Some storage systems for the e-commerce sector
Longspan Shelving
Conventional picking system that allows direct and immediate access to the medium and light loads stored, favouring fast order preparation for e-commerce.
Multi-tier Shelving
System for exploiting the available space at height, designed to store manual loads and fully optimise warehouse space.
Miniload
Automated storage system for storage of light or small loads. Designed to fully optimise the productivity and efficiency of the warehouse.
Adjustable Pallet Racking
E-commerce companies also have intermediate warehouses where the pallet goods are stored. In these cases, the adjustable system is the most widely used due to its versatility, direct access and adaptability.
