Wi-Fi for an Automated Warehouse
With a fully automated warehouse, Wi-Fi coverage and reliability are king.
Ideal has just won a tender for the design, implementation and support of a Wi-Fi installation in a fully automated warehouse.
For the client, this is their first step into a fully automated forklift pick and place. The plan is to dedicate half of an existing warehouse to full automation as a prototype towards a potentially larger system in the future.
Understanding the business imperative
The priority for Ideal, as it is with every client, is to fully understand the business imperative as well as the technical and operational needs, before putting forward a detailed proposal.
In this case, for the business to achieve maximum ROI on this innovation, 100% reliable but cost-effective Wi-Fi coverage is essential.
If the forklift loses Wi-Fi connection for any reason, it will return to its last known position. If that happens too often, business efficiency is compromised and the knock-on impact of late deliveries and subsequent harm to brand reputation could be serious.
The unique challenges of automated warehouse Wi-Fi design
The initial challenge is the space itself. In a warehouse covering the size of two football pitches, stock levels constantly vary, potentially compromising sight lines and signal strength.
Access Point (AP) positioning is therefore essential, but over-specifying can be costly and potentially less effective; overlaps can cause signal confusion for the forklifts.
Integrating with back-office functions
Of course, the warehouse doesn’t operate in isolation. Everything has to integrate with inventory control, purchasing and billing systems via an existing WAN/LAN.
Again, clever design ensures real-time data availability, enabling the streamlining of all of these functions.
Careful installation planning too
With the busy warehouse at the heart of the client’s retail operations, careful planning for safe installation is also a critical part of the project.
Lee Brearley, Account Director at Ideal, says: “It’s a tight timeline, with Go-Live just five months from initial order. Installation will be meticulously planned around the existing operation to minimise any disruption.”
“It’s a tight timeline, with Go-Live just five months from initial order. Installation will be meticulously planned around the existing operation to minimise any disruption.”
Lee Brearley,