Business

Warehouse Storage Systems: The Pros and Cons of Pallet Racks, Mezzanines, and ASRs

The technology associated with warehouse storage systems has improved dramatically in recent years. There are now automated warehouse management systems (WMS) and robotic forklifts that are guided by laser lights. There are numerous types of storage options that are best designed to not only improve space utilization but also efficiency.

pallet racking It is a technique that uses shelves so that products can be stored on various levels above the ground, thus making better use of the available space. Instead of being limited to single pallet storage, racking systems allow stacking up to four or five levels, increasing space utilization many times over.

There are various adaptations of the shelving system. Total cost depends on upgrades selected. In general, the pallet racking system falls in the middle of the road in terms of cost; It is not the most expensive nor is it the cheapest. This system is an excellent method of storing goods and with an included roller system, pallets can be easily moved in and out in any direction. There are also excellent shelving systems for storing heavy materials.

Pallet racking is clean, efficient and requires little maintenance. Because it is sturdy and reusable, it can be moved from one place to another. Used or refurbished pallet racking can be purchased to reduce costs.

There are two disadvantages to the pallet racking system. Because all materials being stored must be on pallets in order to be moved, a substantial inventory of pallets is required. The other downside is that to fully utilize the system, forklifts must be able to reach pallets that are high above the ground.

The mezzanine storage system it is a less expensive method of making the best use of available warehouse space. It is usually a structure that is built between the main floors to store additional supplies or equipment. It is less expensive than other systems and can be moved from one place to another.

The intermediate storage system is best used in conditions where there is not an excessive amount of product to store. In a large-scale operation, this would not be the optimal method to employ. However, the cost is lower than other systems.

ASRS – Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems it is a fairly recent system introduced for warehouse storage. This is a complex system that uses computers to store and retrieve materials by storage location. Floor space is maximized because the forklift operator does not impose height restrictions.

The ASRS system is extremely adaptable and can be used to store large and small products. There are significant savings because the system is automated and requires less manpower. Despite the lower labor requirement, this system is more expensive to install than the intermediate system or the pallet system, plus there are high maintenance costs associated with the operation of the ASRS.

Space, labor, and product damage are expensive components of a warehouse operation. Fortunately, there are many effective and inexpensive storage systems available that can be tailored to specific needs.

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