In the evolving landscape of manufacturing and warehousing, automation is the key to efficiency. One of the most recent advancements comes from Nokia, which has introduced its Nokia Autonomous Inventory Monitoring Service (AIMS)—a groundbreaking solution that redefines how inventory counting is conducted in warehouses. This service utilizes autonomous drones to perform precise and efficient inventory checks, significantly improving the traditional inventory management process.
The Power of Drones in Inventory Management
Drones have been steadily gaining traction in various industries, particularly for inspection and maintenance tasks. Now, Nokia has harnessed their potential in inventory management with its innovative AIMS solution. With this service, drones autonomously navigate warehouse aisles, counting items such as eaches, cases, or cartons in racked inventory locations. These drones can even detect and report empty bin locations, ensuring that warehouse operators have an accurate, real-time view of their inventory.
Nokia AIMS was specifically designed to tackle a critical issue in warehousing—shrinkage, which accounts for a significant 3-5% loss in revenue for companies. Notably, 25% of this shrinkage is attributed to administrative errors. In response, Nokia developed AIMS to help warehouse operators reduce these losses by providing a more accurate and frequent inventory count, thus enhancing overall operational efficiency.
Addressing Shrinkage with Advanced Technology
The integration of Nokia AIMS into warehouse management systems (WMS) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems allows for seamless comparison between identified inventory counts and existing records. This capability highlights a major advantage over traditional methods. Whereas typical cycle counts use the ABC method—where inventory is counted based on varying frequencies—Nokia AIMS offers a more thorough and frequent check of all locations. This ensures a more accurate, reliable, and complete inventory picture for businesses.
The service is delivered as a comprehensive package, including the drones, software, and a cloud-based user interface. According to Nokia, these autonomous drones are capable of completing cycle counts of 300 inventory locations per hour, which is approximately 7-10 times faster than the speed of manual counts by human workers.
Key Benefits of Nokia AIMS
The benefits of using Nokia’s AIMS drones are substantial and include:
- Autonomous scanning: Drones can be scheduled to autonomously scan any aisle at any time, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
- Reduced manual errors: The system reduces the frequency of manual misplaced investigations, leading to more accurate inventory records.
- Location-based searches: Inventory can be searched by location or product ID, simplifying the process of locating specific items.
- Real-time updates: Up-to-date inventory snapshots and WMS mismatches can be accessed remotely or in the office.
- Focus on higher-value tasks: Workers can redirect their efforts to more critical tasks, such as picking and packing, rather than being bogged down by cycle counting.
- Efficient coverage: A 250,000 sq ft warehouse can be entirely scanned by AIMS drones in just 2-4 weeks.
Future-Proofing Warehouse Operations
Existing customers of Nokia AIMS will automatically gain access to these enhanced capabilities through a software update at no additional cost. For new customers signing up in 2024, this feature will be included for free during the first year, offering a significant value proposition.
By automating inventory counting with Nokia AIMS, businesses can not only reduce costs associated with shrinkage and manual counting but also gain a competitive edge in their operations. This innovation underscores Nokia’s commitment to future-proofing warehouse operations, ensuring that businesses remain efficient, accurate, and ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.
