The Concept of Total Distribution in an Automated Distribution Center
Last week I wrote about how we define
Unconventional Distribution. This week I would like to explore the concept of
Total Distribution. Total distribution is controlling, and therefore maximizing, everything that goes in to your automated DC from soup to nuts. Or totes to robots.
You can’t use one technology in a distribution center. For instance, no distribution center is entirely composed of conveyor. No, you need the conveyor, the WMS, the cranes, the totes, the rack, and everything else that goes into making the distribution center to work as a whole. That’s the concept for total distribution.
Let’s talk about the advantages.
When you have one team with one concept designing and building the system you get a sum that is greater than the whole. This is similar to how Apple builds a product. They know every little piece that goes in it and how it will play with every other piece. They don’t go out and grab the cheapest or the most readily available part. They use components that they know will enhance the rest of the system. That’s the concept for total distribution, but instead of making great electronic gadgets this makes a great way to store and distribute electronic gadgets. Or say
distribute pharmaceuticals.
Another advantage is totes. Specifically standard sized totes vs. designing the automated system and then going back as an afterthought and saying, “Oh yeah, we need totes that are x by y by z.”
And the dismay of finding out that those size totes don’t exist.
Of course that size can be made, but it will cost much more than if you had planned to use standard totes in the first place. The same idea with standardized conveyors sizes. With total distribution you don’t run into fun (and expensive) little problems like that. You know your components from the initial design phase.
The key is to start with the end in mind. This is actually something we have been saying for a while. What kind of performance do you want to get out of your system? Great, let’s build the system from those requirements. That requires a hard look at the design and what components will go into it. A measure twice cut once philosophy can apply to distribution center design as well.
If you would like to learn more about Schaefer and our concept for total distribution contact us today. Also visit us at
Modex 2012 in booth 2105 where we will be sharing our thoughts on Total Distribution.
Schaefer Systems International, Inc., the North American subsidiary of the SSI SCHAEFER group of companies, established headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1989.
SCHAEFER’s automation integrates to any existing system earning us an international reputation as the global leader in the material-handling industry for returnable packaging, static racking, and highly complex, automated distribution systems. With over 70 years of experience and a 100% commitment to quality behind every SSI Schafer system, we focus on providing our clients with unconventional picking and storage solutions delivering best value