AutoStore Warehouse Automation
As a trusted AutoStore partner, StrongPoint provides the fastest goods-to-person warehouse automation solution on the market. With 40 years of expertise in the retail sector, particularly in grocery retail, and a top-tier automation team, we craft tailored automation solutions for retailers and warehouse operators. By integrating automation with StrongPoint’s industry-leading manual order picking and last-mile solutions, we enable highly efficient warehousing and e-commerce operations.
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Automation with a frozen zone
StrongPoint has implemented the world’s first AutoStore solution featuring an automated frozen zone. This groundbreaking solution offers significant savings in energy and space, picks items at remarkable speeds, and greatly improves the working environment for staff.
Save space
The AutoStore solution boasts the highest storage density of any automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), allowing you to store up to 4x more items in the same space compared to a traditional warehouse.
Background in
grocery industry
With StrongPoint’s extensive experience in grocery retail, we are well-equipped to handle complex demands, manage items across various temperature zones, and ensure seamless integration with last-mile solutions.
Hyper-efficiency
AutoStore’s automated picking is the fastest goods-to-person automation solution per square foot, allowing you to store and fulfill more orders in less time!
The Premier AutoStore Partner for Grocery Retail
StrongPoint is the only AutoStore partner with a dedicated focus on grocery, uniquely equipped to help grocery retailers and wholesalers reach their full potential. With extensive expertise in optimising warehouse layouts, handling various temperature zones, seamlessly integrating last-mile solutions, and combining automation with manual picking for specific items, StrongPoint drives speed and efficiency throughout the entire process.
Seamless Last Mile Integration
StrongPoint provides the most complete last-mile solution portfolio, covering every type of click & collect and home delivery. Whether you’re delivering products directly from the warehouse to customers or through a store, we seamlessly integrate the most efficient solutions on the market.
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Keep energy costs low
AutoStore robots consume minimal energy. In fact, 10 robots use the same amount of power as just one vacuum cleaner (100W). Smart innovations, like energy-efficient lighting and heating, help reduce unnecessary energy consumption. By implementing a multi-temperature solution with a frozen zone, you can save around 30% on energy costs compared to using a separate freezer.
Consultancy for Designing Your Complete Storage Plan and Operation
Leverage our expertise. We can assist in designing the layout of your storage facility and optimising the placement and execution of each process to ensure maximum efficiency. What sets us apart is our ability to consider the entire workflow, from start to finish.
Seamless system integration
The AutoStore warehouse automation solution integrates effortlessly with hundreds of warehouse management systems (WMS) globally, using ready-made APIs. StrongPoint also offers its own WMS, designed to deliver maximum efficiency and inventory control, with specialized features for automating the handling of frozen goods.
Hear from our Warehouse Automation customers
Automating makes us able to grow our revenue by 3 times, and at the same time we make the work environment better for the employees. Our collaboration with StrongPoint has been excellent. Thorstein Kirkeleit, Business Development Manager at Haugaland Storhusholdning
“We know that the grocery industry, one of StrongPoint’s key markets, is very demanding. So we knew that with StrongPoint, we would get a team working to the highest of standards and who is obsessed with efficiency.” Ole Bakurowitz, Product Manager at ColliCare
StrongPoint Unveils the World’s First AutoStore™ Multi-Temperature Solution™ with a Frozen Zone!
StrongPoint was selected to design and implement the world’s first AutoStore solution specifically developed for groceries, featuring three temperature zones: ambient, chilled, and frozen. This innovative solution is now fully operational at Haugaland Storhusholdning in Norway and StrongPoint was awarded both the best sustainable retail innovation award together with our partner MTG Technologies, and the award as the the overall winner at RTIH Innovation Awards in London. This technological breakthrough offers numerous benefits, including enhanced efficiency, lower energy consumption, and an improved working environment.
How It Works
Grocery retailers and wholesalers have traditionally used manual picking for frozen items in large freezers, even when other parts of the storage and retrieval process were automated. With AutoStore, you can now automate the handling of products across all three temperature zones, allowing frozen items to be picked alongside chilled goods, with robots delivering them directly to the worker.
Boosting efficiency
Integrating more items into the AutoStore grid can greatly improve picking efficiency. With everything picked from a single location, the process becomes more streamlined and convenient.
Easier and safer for staff
Staff no longer have to enter freezing rooms or wear heavy protective gear, making the job safer and more comfortable.
Substantial energy savings
Automating the picking of frozen items within the AutoStore grid can lead to a 30-40% reduction in energy consumption compared to manual picking.
Want to know more?
StrongPoint offers complimentary workshops to assist in planning and designing a complete automation setup, seamlessly integrated with our top-tier last-mile solutions. Reach out using the contact form at the bottom of the page to request a session.
Two efficiency-focused Norwegian companies
StrongPoint and AutoStore, both based in Norway, share a steadfast commitment to enhancing efficiency for our customers.
StrongPoint’s Order Fulfillment Platform – Custom Software for Retail Automation
StrongPoint’s Warehouse Automation solutions are powered by the StrongPoint Order Fulfillment Platform, an all-encompassing software built on ModernLogic. Scalable and versatile, this platform serves as a WCS, WES, and WMS, providing a robust suite of features tailored to meet the specific needs of e-commerce and retail automation. By utilizing these capabilities, retailers can optimize their operations, secure data, enhance efficiency, and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving retail industry.
Key features include:
– WCS, WES and WMS functionality
– API interface to any system
– One single platform using proven industry specific processes for the warehouse
– Virtual Commissioning tools
– Cloud based hosting
– Business Intelligence tools with simple dashboards for KPI tracking
– Simple intuitive and web-browser based interfaces showing processes and workflow.
– Lifetime support – 24/7 support
The only software platform ready to go, that controls a multi-temperature AutoStore, in store picking, back of store picking and all other automation.
The parts that make it happen
These components are crucial in building a highly productive and efficient warehouse automation solution with AutoStore and StrongPoint. Let’s take a closer look at the key elements.
The grid
The aluminum grid serves as the foundation of the system, providing the framework for bin placement and the rails that guide robots in retrieving the correct bins with the right products. The grid’s size and layout are flexible, limited only by your warehouse’s dimensions, and can expand in any direction as required.
The bins
The bins are where products are stored, constructed from durable materials to ensure long-lasting use. Designed for gentle robot handling, these bins have an impressive lifespan. Each bin is assigned a unique identifier, stored in a database and printed on the bin’s label. Available in various heights and materials, the bins can even be divided into compartments, enabling the storage of multiple products within a single bin.
The robots
The robots are the system’s workforce, quickly maneuvering through the grid to retrieve the necessary products. Operating continuously, they automatically recharge through energy recovery when braking or lowering a bin, while also managing their battery health. Some robots have been operating efficiently for over 15 years. Constant self-diagnostics ensure that any minor issues are promptly reported. If a robot requires maintenance, it autonomously heads to the service mezzanine and is effortlessly replaced by another.
The workstations
The workstations are where warehouse employees interact with the automation system, either receiving or placing products. From basic conveyor ports to carousels, swing ports, or modular workstations, these stations are designed for user-friendliness, ergonomic comfort, and optimal safety. Smart covers and sensors safeguard both workers and products, while the movement and operations have been fine-tuned through millions of tests at AutoStore Labs and real-world deployments.
The controller
The controller acts as the brain of the AutoStore automation system, overseeing traffic management, task scheduling, tracking robot and bin locations, and controlling access for service personnel. Its primary function is to guide robot movements and continuously calculate the most efficient operations, ensuring smooth and optimized processes.
The manual picking
Even in an automated warehouse, some products—like oversized items or specific fruits and vegetables—still require manual picking, often making up a large portion of online orders. StrongPoint’s Order Picking solution is designed to streamline this aspect, improving the efficiency of manual picking and seamlessly complementing your automation system.
Integration with last mile and manual item picking
StrongPoint’s automation solutions enhance the overall efficiency of e-grocery operations and can also be customised for non-food e-commerce, offering seamless integration for a complete solution.
Some grocery SKUs, such as fast-moving or bulky items, may not be ideal for automation and are often better picked manually.
However, speed remains critical to ensure quick order fulfillment. Perishable goods, in particular, require efficient last-mile integration for both home delivery and click & collect. Consumers are also demanding faster delivery for various e-commerce products, including home goods, clothing, and books—and we’ve got you covered.
With StrongPoint, you gain access to the most efficient manual picking solutions, seamlessly integrated with multiple last-mile options—from grocery lockers to quick-commerce pickups and home delivery. We support a wide range of products and fulfillment needs.
StrongPoint is your all-in-one solution for e-grocery, offering everything from manual processes to automation and last-mile delivery.
Integrations, support and analytics
You might be wondering how this solution will integrate with your current systems and IT infrastructure. After all, seamless communication between systems is essential. Thankfully, we’ve made this process as straightforward as possible.
Standard APIs for integration
The solution software can easily integrate with your existing e-commerce, ERP, or similar systems through pre-built APIs provided by StrongPoint. We’re here to offer any additional support you need to ensure a smooth and seamless operation.
Customer support
In the IT department, you want to avoid wasting time troubleshooting issues when they arise. With StrongPoint, you’ll have access to 24/7 customer support, helping you save time and avoid unnecessary headaches.
Dashboard and analytics
Once the solution is up and running, you’ll want to monitor its performance. StrongPoint’s software operates on a cloud-based platform, and the back-office is easily accessed via a web interface. This allows you to track key metrics such as efficiency, order volumes, and more.
Contact us today
Interested in our solutions? We’d be happy to connect! Reach out using the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
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