christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Warehouse Picking Robots Enter the Market

Order picking is a mundane but necessary part of supply chain operations. A forward-thinking startup robotics company is working to perfect an automated system that could revolutionize fulfillment centers in the near future.

Robots to the Rescue

In early April, Massachusetts-based RightHand Robotics introduced their RightPick platform at a supply chain event. The innovative system is aimed at improving order fulfillment in the pharmaceutical, electronics, grocery and apparel industries.

RightHand is not the first company to envision robotics as a solution for more efficient order fulfillment. The drawback was getting a robot’s mechanical “hand” to make adjustments for different sizes and types of items, but the Harvard-trained team that launched RightHand believe they have found the answer in the cloud.

How Do You “Teach” a Robot?

Current prototypes use a robotic hand with compliant “fingers” and a suction cup at the center. As the robot spends time picking random objects from a conveyor belt, data is transmitted from a camera inside its hand up to the cloud, where the information can be used to “train” other robots.

Professor Ken Goldberg of UC Berkeley, an expert on robot manipulation and learning, expressed admiration for the “clever mechanism” that RightPick has applied to the concept of robotic order-picking. For companies such as Amazon that ship a myriad of products in all shapes and sizes, RightHand could be a game-changer.

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Military Spying Aircraft Market Targeted by Boeing

By their own estimation, Boeing faces a serious test of whether their militarized 737 airliners are the future for the U.S. Air Force. Next up on the Pentagon’s decision block will be new planes for the JSTARS surveillance fleet, which has been running on Boeing 707s for decades.

This fall, when military leaders choose between the 737 or smaller business jets instead, it’s largely a question of short-term versus long-term outlooks.

About the Boeing 737 for Military Use

Use of the Boeing 737 by militaries is not new. Nearly 200 have already been purchased by the U.S. and other countries for various applications. This time, the notable difference is that the 737 is larger than what the JSTARS spying program may even need.

Boeing believes that the larger 737 offers great value for two key reasons. The extra room for growth can accommodate changing needs, and the higher immediate cost may well be offset by cheaper maintenance.

Business Jets or Commercial Airliners?

With many other aircraft fleets up for replacement soon, Boeing hopes the 737 will become the recurring preference.

The more glamorous business jets cost only half as much as the 737, whose higher maintenance costs may scuttle the deal. That would not be surprising, as lower immediate costs often seal the deal for military decisions.

Is bigger better when it comes to spying aircraft? One thing we know for certain: military and aviation professionals need the right tool for every job. Our aircraft tug helps tow small aircraft of all sizes for maneuvering in the hangar and staging on runways.

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IoT Connectivity is Revolutionizing the Modern Warehouse

Sophisticated technology has made it possible for you to control you home thermostat via your smart phone and order groceries through your refrigerator, but what does that mean for your business? Here’s how the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing warehouses and why you need to be prepared.

Creating “Smart” Warehouses

As technology continues its rapid advancement, the international market for warehouse management IoT devices is projected to reach an astounding $19 billion by the year 2025. Ian Jindal, editor-in-chief of InternetRetailing, predicts a seismic shift in “how companies handle and distribute orders.”

The most significant impact will likely occur in supply chain visibility. Accurate tracking of a product from origin to consumer has always been a priority, and devices such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags will allow a specific picture of a product’s real-time progress through the system.

Planning for the Future

So what steps should you take to begin preparing your warehouse for the IoT revolution?

Evaluate your current warehouse management system (WMS). If it’s been implemented relatively recently, it may be IoT-ready. If not, consider the net savings from upgrading your system compared to keeping a soon-to-be outdated one.
Start incorporating peripheral IoT devices, such as a system to control ambient features like temperature and lighting.

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Why Your Warehouse Management Needs to Embrace the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been described for years as an emerging technology, so when will using it become universally accepted? Nobody will hoist a banner announcing the official victory for the IoT. You wouldn’t delay purchasing a piece of automation equipment like warehouse tugs, so why wait to add innovative technology?

The technology and devices of the IoT are already here. Warehouses should go ahead and embrace it.

Benefits of Warehouse IoT

David Akka recently detailed for Magic Software why warehouse IoT should be embraced just like other recent technology such as mobile apps. Customer-facing apps serve the dual purpose of benefiting the user experience and increasing sales through engagement. Similarly, the IoT has benefits for customers and warehouse management:

Capitalize on Big Data analytics
Smart barcodes for shipping and receiving
Plan for “burst capacity” and short-term extra storage
Enable warehousing as a service for third parties
Propagate changes to sales, customer data, shipping statuses, etc.

Embracing New Technology in the Warehouse

Sometimes waiting to implement new technology can be wise, especially if your customers or clients are unfamiliar with it. However, people already use the IoT at home and work. Shift to IoT integration, and your warehouse staff and customers will be quick to leverage it for a better experience.

Ultimately, the IoT represents just another important step in the warehouse automation trend. Automated equipment like warehouse tugs for your staff and smart technology of the IoT for your devices can drastically reduce costs and stay ahead of the game.

Find out more about warehouse tugs and other warehouse materials handling equipment from DJ Products.

Dumpster or Compactor – The Pros and Cons

Proper trash room maintenance keeps your workplace clean and reduces the risk of injury. Is a dumpster or compactor best suited for your needs? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right solution for your application.

Dumpsters and Compactors: What’s the Difference

Dumpsters are large metal containers with volumes ranging from 10-yards to 30-yards. They are practical for a wide range of both household and commercial refuse and they are generally emptied by a trash hauling service that picks up every one to two weeks.
Trash compactors come in indoor and outdoor models. Thanks to the compressing action they can hold a greater volume of trash, but they’re not recommended for disposal of items such as oils, wood products, electronic items and toxic materials.

Which One Is Right for You?

If your business generates a lot of trash on a daily basis and your current garbage containers are being overfilled, a compactor is better for controlling the volume.
Dumpsters don’t seal tightly, which means they tend to attract rodents and other pests.
How does your trash removal service calculate charges? If it’s by the pickup, a compactor could save you a significant amount of money, but if it’s by the pound, it could be a more expensive option.

Put Safety First with the WasteCaddy from DJ Products

Now that you’ve selected the right container, make another choice for trash room safety. Our best-selling WasteCaddy can transport loaded dumpsters weighing up to 5,000 pounds, preventing the need for manual pushing and pulling.

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Garbage and Dumpster Safety – It’s Your Job!

Do you leave trash room and dumpster safety to your garbage removal service? It’s up to you to maintain a safe environment for everyone, whether they work for you or an outside company.

Be Proactive About Garbage and Dumpster Safety

Here are four tips to create a safe workplace that allows for efficient trash disposal.

1. Keep Dumpsters and Other Receptacles Free and Clear

If people have to run an obstacle course to get to the trash receptacles, the chances of injury are high. Make sure both indoor and outdoor containers are easily accessible.

2. Don’t Overfill Trash Receptacles

Overflowing dumpsters present an attractive home for mice, squirrels and other pests. If your trash containers fill up too quickly, consider adding more receptacles or getting larger ones.

3. Break Down Large Items

Boxes should never be tossed into a dumpster without being broken down or flattened first. Any large items such as furniture or equipment should also be broken down as much as possible or set aside for immediate pickup.

4. Maintain the Pavement

Can your garbage area support the regular stress and strain of a heavy trash removal truck? Damaged pavement can quickly become a safety risk. Make sure any cracks and holes are repaired promptly.

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Many costly workplace injuries are due to overexertion as a result of pushing and pulling heavy objects such as loaded dumpsters. Visit our website to find out why clients consider a dumpster puller like our popular WasteCaddyLite to be “like having another employee on staff.”

Will the IoT Make Your Supply Chain “Smarter”?

Do you track your workouts with a FitBit or run your household with the help of Amazon’s Alexa? Welcome to the Internet of Things (IoT), a world of “smart” devices that are impacting your personal life and revolutionizing supply chain management.

Making Your Supply Chain “Smarter”

While these Internet-connected devices have been making a big splash, it’s not going to slow down any time soon. In fact, research firm Gartner recently issued a prediction that the number of IoT devices will increase thirty-fold by the year 2020.

How does this new technology impact supply chains and logistics? The IoT will connect people, processes, information and equipment to an extent never before possible, providing an amazing depth and breadth of data.

A Real-Life Scenario

A significant example of this benefit is in-transit visibility. As products pass through a number of points between manufacturer and consumer, an agile supply network is needed to follow them through all steps of the supply chain.

Cloud-based GPS and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies can be used to transmit identity, location and other data that’s crucial to accurate tracking. With a chip in a pallet and a coordinated device in the shipping vehicle, stakeholders can monitor progress in real time and make proactive decisions based on the constant flow of data.

DJ Products: The Leader in Warehouse Handling Equipment

While the IoT takes supply chain management to another level, our battery-powered warehouse handling equipment makes labor-intensive tasks easier and safer. Contact us to learn more about our popular CartCaddy5WP and other products in our full line of electric pushers, tugs and movers.

Dumpster Safety Tips for Workplace Maintenance Staff

Video thumbnail for wistia video zz2dqgts9g — The WasteCaddy Dumpster Mover

Have you educated your maintenance staff on proper safety procedures to be followed in the trash room? The Environmental Health and Safety Office of Emory University in Atlanta has “toolbox training” guides with valuable tips on trash room and dumpster safety.

Dumpster Safety

Keep the area immediately around the dumpster clear of boxes, papers and other debris.
Never climb into a dumpster or use your feet and hands to move items inside.
Many injuries occur when hands and fingers get caught in the dumpster lid. When opening or closing the lid, always take care to make sure hands and fingers are kept away from “pinch points.”
Hazardous waste should never be placed in a solid waste dumpster. Dispose of all hazardous waste using appropriate methods.
If a fire starts, don’t attempt to extinguish it yourself. Call the fire department immediately.

Trash Room Safety

Employees should be fully trained before operating the compactor.
Never place any body parts inside the hopper. When necessary, use a long stick to move items.
Close the compactor door securely before operating, and never open the door while the compactor is running.
Only trained personnel such as a manufacturer service person should conduct maintenance and repairs on the compactor. Complete lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) steps before performing maintenance.

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Maneuvering heavy dumpsters around tight corners and up and down inclines creates a serious injury risk. Visit our website for information about our WasteCaddyLite, a battery-powered dumpster pusher that easily moves dumpsters across all types of surfaces and greatly reduces workplace injuries.

The Internet of Things (IoT) Arrives at the Warehouse

What impact has the Internet of Things (IoT) and “smart” technology had on the supply chain? A study shows that 70% of decision makers plan to implement a smart warehouse system by the year 2020. Leveraging IoT can significantly improve speed and efficiency throughout your entire supply chain.

Benefits of Smart Warehouses

According to the report (at link) from Zebra Technologies, the shift toward direct-to-consumer shipping is the primary driver behind increased use of technology. By 2020, retailers are projected to spend more than $2.5 billion outfitting warehouses with IoT.

Smart warehouses offer greater accuracy and transparency since real-time data can be accessed immediately, regardless of where employees and products are. Many IoT devices are “wearables” that free employees from the limitations of workstations.

IoT in Today’s Workplaces

How are major companies currently using IoT technology to modernize their supply chain operations?

UPS is testing the use of smart glasses to reduce the amount of labeling on packages.
Lids, an athletic sportswear company, has installed an Internet of Everything (IoE)-based robotics system to pick items and transport them to employees.
Amazon, one of the giants in direct-to-consumer sales, is augmenting its human workforce with more than 30,000 robots to process and ship customer orders.

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Successful companies also put a priority on safe warehouse operations. Our battery-powered warehouse handling equipment lets a single employee move the heaviest of loads safely and efficiently. Tugs and movers like our popular CartCaddyLite are ergonomically designed to reduce repetitive motion injuries.

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Hotel Overbuilding Softens Several Metro Markets

More travelers, but even more empty rooms. That’s the dilemma facing many hotels around the country, even in some of the hottest markets. People are staying more nights than ever before, yet all the hotel overbuilding of recent years and today has flooded the market.

In typically slow markets like Oklahoma, overbuilding has brought overall occupancy and revenue per room down significantly. Meanwhile, in hotbeds like Austin, Nashville, and Miami, new hotel construction has managed to outpace these cities’ robust demand.

National Real Estate Investor examined the issue and estimates a record 1.2 billion guest nights in 2017 against 1.8 billion available rooms.

Effects of Hotel Overbuilding

Developers have targeted specific metro areas more than others. In the perennially healthy New York market, new construction has been largely matched by demand. Consumers get some relief on price and availability, while hoteliers in the Big Apple continue to see strong occupancy.

However, in many hot tourist markets like Miami and in convention-friendly hubs like Austin and Nashville, the overbuilt, saturated market spells lower revenue per room for the foreseeable future.

Elsewhere, hotels have overbuilt in remote areas like Wyoming due to temporary demand related to drilling and fracking. Such areas may be drowning in surplus demand for years.

Facing the 2017 Hotel Market Outlook

Hoteliers fighting against surplus rooms in their market can look to control costs elsewhere. Our hospitality industry powered carts are a form of automation that accelerates housekeeping while reducing worker injury claims and boosting productivity.

To keep expenses down and improve guest satisfaction in a competitive market, consider hospitality industry powered carts for housekeeping and maintenance staff.

Author: christopher Harper