While implementing the warehouse management parts of the software, it was important to have an open mind and patience, Wood relates. “With so many technology companies promising a ‘personalized’ system, they are writing and adapting code while your company is operating—so there will be bugs and extremely frustrating days. But the company’s management team has to keep a long-term view in mind.”
At Ruiz, the warehouse is not fully automated yet because it is not large enough to support such a system, “but we’re adapting, researching, and implementing many new features. We expect to have a fully automated system soon,” Salinas notes.
Before installing a major technology solution, Salinas says research is of utmost importance. “While it is impossible to have all the variables and answers in any operation, doing your homework can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches as you deploy a new system. Implementation and adaptation of new technology and innovations comes down to two things: cost benefit and necessity to your operation.”
An example of necessity driving technology is traceability. “Food safety and traceability are not something we’re willing to compromise on—this means that regardless of cost, you have to add it, because such a technology or innovation is integral to your business.”
Other challenges to keep in mind are the costs associated with employee training and future maintenance. “Automated technologies and sorting machines can make your warehouse run much more efficiently,” Salinas notes, “but the human factor is crucial… Technology is only as good as the user—or sometimes the programmer,” he explains. “Having a state of the art voice-picking system does you no good if you don’t train supervisors and managers to input orders correctly, and floor employees to use the voice system correctly.”
The Future
Will machines truly be running the world? Possible, but not likely—though high-tech innovations will certainly make life easier for those in the fresh produce industry. Looking forward three to six years, Salinas says the biggest innovations in warehouse technology will be a substantial increase in the use of robotics. “Wholly networked automated systems will improve until an entire warehouse can operate on just a skeleton crew of technicians, managers, inspectors, and data-entry personnel.”
