A system that combines automated storage and retrieval functions can have any number of different prices, but the range is typically quite wide. The price of one standalone Vertical Carousel Manufacturer Module to manage your MRO parts (think about $70,000), as compared to the price of a fully integrated ASRS mini-load system managing over 80,000 SKUs (think about $3 million or more), is a huge difference. This disparity arises from the fact that the ASRS mini-load system is a more complicated piece of equipment. Before we delve into the factors that contribute to the costs of these six ASRS systems, let's take a quick look at the starting prices of these six systems because they are the most widely used.
Quite a range. It's entirely possible that you're thinking, "Wow, that's quite pricey!" right now. In response to that, I would say that making an investment in automation will result in costs that are lower than what you are currently spending on labor, picking errors, handling returns, and other expenses. This is because automation will reduce the likelihood of human error. The good news is that dynamic automated storage solutions typically provide a return on investment in fewer than 18 months. This is because of the labor, space, and picking efficiencies that they offer. In light of the fact that I am unable to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of an ASRS system at this time, I would ask if I could instead discuss the various factors that contribute to the overall expense of a comprehensive automated storage and retrieval system instead.
The most noticeable expense that is associated with an ASRS solution is going to be the cost of the equipment or technology that you ultimately decide to use. Case in point: Case in point:If you have an ASRS system that is particularly large or highly specialized, you may have to pay some up-front costs for system analysis and design in order to reconfigure your facility so that you can get the most out of automation. This is because automation allows you to get more done in less time.
The following is a list of the primary components that, when added together, result in the total cost of the equipment:
System Size – Automated storage and retrieval systems, more commonly known as ASRS, typically include both a movable component (such as an inserter/extractor, moveable crane, or robotic delivery system) and a static storage area (such as shelves, racks, or bins). As the size of the order increases, you should anticipate a decline in the price that is charged per cubic foot. This is a good rule of thumb to follow. This is because the system's moving parts are the component with the highest cost, which explains why this is the case. Because the amount of storage space is not going to change, there won't be much of an increase in cost associated with the expansion. As a direct consequence of this, the cost that is assessed per cubic foot goes down whenever the unit size goes up.
Setting: the setting in which the technology is used will also have an effect on the total cost of the unit. The price of the unit will go up if it is going to be used in an environment that has a climate control system or that is a clean room. It is possible that the environment contained within the unit, in addition to the environment that is contained within the unit, will require the unit to meet seismic requirements. This would be the case if your facility is located in an area that is prone to earthquakes.
Products That Are Currently In StockBecause of the dimensions of the products that you keep in stock, particularly those that are particularly lengthy or expansive, there is a possibility that the price of the machine will increase. This is especially true for products that are particularly lengthy or expansive. Because of the weight of the items that are being kept in storage, you might require a machine that is heavy duty and has trays or bins that are made of a more durable material. The price of the ASRS solution might go up if it is used with products that need to be handled in a particular way, such as hazardous chemicals and liquids, biomedical products, electronic products (ESD), food products, and pharmaceuticals. Some additional examples are as follows:
Access to the Machines' ControlsThe controls for the machines can have varying prices depending on the type of technology that is implemented in their production. When there are a greater number of moving parts and when the system in question is of a greater size, the cost of the controls will, in general, be higher.
The rate at which you need to retrieve products that have been stored in the system is referred to as the Required Throughput, and this rate will have an impact on the total cost. The throughput, or the amount of time it takes to retrieve or pick an item from storage, is directly proportional to the cost. The faster the throughput, the higher the cost.
The majority of ASRS systems come equipped with onboard controls that make it possible to perform fundamental inventory management functions. There are several tiers of inventory management software that can be added for increased capabilities in inventory control and order picking. These tiers can be selected from the software's drop-down menu. The vast majority of inventory management software is sold in tiered packages, which means that the price of the software increases as more features are added. This is the case for almost all of the software. This enables you to have a solution that is, in most cases, semi-customizable and prevents you from having to pay for features that you do not require despite the fact that you would otherwise have to pay for them. Expanding beyond a standalone ASRS product into more of a total solution has the potential to yield significant additional benefits; however, doing so may result in the incurring of additional costs. The first consideration is what I like to call the "machine interaction cost," which refers to the procedure by which items will be loaded into the ASRS and the procedure by which they will be removed from the ASRS. This is the process by which items will be loaded into the ASRS and the procedure by which they will be removed from the ASRS.
Will there always be someone responsible for bringing things into the ASRS and taking them out again? Given that this is the situation, should they also make use of an ergonomic hoist in addition to a manual transport cart? Consider the supporting technologies as well, such as those that direct picking with light or voice, scan barcodes or QR codes, and other similar activities. Will the interaction between the ASRS machines be highly automated, making use of either a robotic picking system or an automatic conveyor transport?
Each zone of the warehouse may make use of a different combination of storage technologies, including flow rack, Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs), Intelligent Vertical Carousel Manufacturer Modules, Horizontal Carousel Modules, mini loads, multi-shuttle systems, and standard rack and shelving, in order to guarantee that the SKUs in that zone are managed in the most efficient manner possible. The efficacy of your picking strategy will be judged on the basis of this, so make sure you have it ready. Keep in mind that the most significant improvements in performance will occur after you have improved your picking strategy by implementing one of the supplementary methods or technologies that we have outlined in this article. Specifically, keep in mind that this will occur after you have read this article.
