Internet of Things solutions for a smart warehouse

Warehouses have always been a critical component of logistics. Proper warehouse organization and maintenance is key for timely deliveries and optimizing the available space. All of this varies greatly depending on the type of goods they store.

These days warehouses are even more important because of the rise of e-commerce. A few years ago warehouses were delivering only to merchants who also have their own storage facilities. Today, millions of people are shopping online and in the majority of orders, their goods are shipping straight from the warehouse to them. As a result, warehouses now have to be equipped to handle both more goods and a lot more orders.

Modern technologies are helping

Happily, along with the developments in e-commerce, other IT vectors are also improving. The Internet of Things (IoT) for example is evolving at a rapid pace. There are already plenty of advancements in IoT which have created a variety of smart devices, sensors and other technologies to improve all aspects in our daily lives and businesses.

This also includes Internet of Things solutions for warehouses. IoT can help automate a lot of the warehouse processes. Such devices will also improve storage management, inventory tracking and more.

Using IoT and smart technologies in warehouses can have a variety of benefits. Automation can lower costs and improve internal transportation of goods to and from various points in the warehouse.

It also increases handling precision, leading to less damaged goods. UN says that one third of all foods perish in transit, so every optimization is more than welcome. IoT can also improve asset management. This includes low-stock alerts, misplaced alerts and also monitoring and maintaining the conditions to ensure proper good storage.

IoT allows all of this to happen in real time. All of the devices and sensors monitor the data and smart algorithms analyze it on a continuous basis. It’s even possible to receive preventive alerts and advices to avoid possible accidents or being out of stock.

Building the right warehouse system

There are a lot of options to build a warehouse IoT system. You can include wearable devices like smart glasses with augmented reality which help employees find the right goods. Another option would be automated carts with sensors to avoid obstacles and arrive at the right shelf.

All you have to do is pick the right devices for your goals. The good news is that modern IoT devices are much cheaper and have a very long battery life – up to 10 years for some sensors. This is more than enough for future-proofing your system and ensuring good ROI. Plus, you will be able to take advantage of newer technologies like LoRaWAN and the Helium network.

Helium is a decentralized wireless network based on the LoRaWAN technology with an added blockchain. It is not owned by any corporation. Instead, anyone and everyone can join the network either as a user and/or as an access point. Helium is specially developed for low-powered devices and provides them with fast, low-latency internet access.

It makes building an IoT system very easy as there are already a lot of manufacturers which offer dozens and dozens of Helium compatible smart devices, IoT sensors, Helium hotspots, etc. Basically everything you need to build your own IoT system from the ground up and join it to a network with ease.

One, two, three, IoT

As we mentioned, there are plenty of IoT devices ready-made for your smart warehouse. Many of them are very easy to integrate. You simply mount them in place, connect them to the network and to your management software and you’re ready to go.

Browan for example makes several LoRaWAN IoT products which are suitable for a warehouse. With them you can deploy a lot of sensors in a wide area for security, automated meter readings, monitoring for faults, etc.

One of them is the MerryIoT Motion Detector. It features 4 sensors in 1 and it is able to detect motion, vibration/tampering, humidity and temperature. Thus it’s ideal for walkways, monitoring doors and basic conditions in a room.

A similar one is the MerryIoT Open/Close sensor which is specifically designed to detect opening and closing events. With it you can establish not only safety protocols, but event monitoring and entire process chains of what should happen and when.

Milesight also has a vast portfolio of IoT solutions for warehouses. One of them would be The AM107 sensor which is suitable to monitor the air quality and even control certain HVAC systems to ensure good working and storage conditions.

The EM300-SLD sensor by Milesight on the other hand can monitor spot or zone leaks. And it will notify you if there’s spilled liquid no matter what it is.

This is just a small example of what IoT is capable of doing for your warehouse. You’re limited mostly by your own imagination. IoT is here and ready to help your business. All you have to do is let it.