![]() Instead, the investment became, as they say, in lean a “monument” something that’s in the way, limiting and not flexible. The irony is that the initial reason for the investment was to reduce labour costs. Instead, they had to change working hours and sometimes start with shift hours, which means higher labour costs instead. I have seen warehouses who invested in automation and conveyor systems, but the problem is they could not manage the daily or seasonal order peaks. “Simple” often means more reliable and more cost-effective. But at first, you should take into consideration if it is absolutely necessary or if there is a more simple solution. Yes, sometimes it is necessary to invest in technologies like the ones I mention above. The key is to really evaluate whether it is the right solution, or if it can be solved in an easier way. Is the new technology easy to scale up and future proof? I am no opponent of technology such as automation and conveyor systems, on the contrary, I advocate the use of technology. For example, you must look at the cost of maintenance, new competence and lack of flexibility. When you invest in technology, you have many parameters to consider not just the first investment. Better – for me – is more cost-effective and more reliable. My answer is I believe there is a better and simpler solution usually. I have visited warehouses that almost looked like the factory in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: conveyor systems everywhere, pallet robots, pallet elevators and even tunnels for pallets! I admit it looked very impressive ! However, the important question is, does it pay off ? Was it necessary? Could it be possible to choose a more simple solution with the same level of efficiency and quality? Better means more cost-effective But, in fact, intelligent solutions are usually about simplicity and to find the least complex solution, because it is also often the most cost-effective solution or the best solution in a qualitative point of view. Sometimes, it seems like we, humans, are attracted to complex solutions and we are often impressed of complex structures, processes and technology as if they signalled intelligence. The KISS principle, of course, also applies to warehouse logistics – regardless of whether we speak of hardware, software or organisation. The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complicated therefore, simplicity should be a key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided. Navy created a design principle called KISS “Keep It Simple and Stupid” in the sixties. ![]()
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