Category: MIM

About the Cross-Belt Sorter

The cross-belt sorter is a popular sorting solution in intralogistics. This system uses cross belts to move products through the sorting process and sends them to the appropriate final destinations. There are several reasons why the cross-belt sorter is a good solution in intralogistics, and in this article, we’ll explore some of them.

Advantages

Efficiency and Speed in Sorting

One of the main advantages of the cross-belt sorter is its efficiency and speed in sorting products. Because the system uses cross belts to transport products, it can sort a wide variety of product sizes and shapes, from small pieces to large boxes. Additionally, the system is capable of processing a large volume of products at high speed, making it an ideal solution for warehouses and distribution centers with large inventory volumes.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Another advantage of the cross-belt sorter is its flexibility and adaptability. The system can be configured to suit different product types and workflows. Additionally, the system can be integrated with other automation systems, such as conveyor systems and robots, to create a complete, automated sorting solution.

Space and Cost Savings

The cross-belt sorter can also help save space and costs in intralogistics. Because the system uses cross belts to transport products, it takes up less space than other sorting systems, such as tray systems. Furthermore, the system can be more cost-effective than other sorting systems in terms of installation and maintenance costs.

Improved Accuracy and Quality

The cross-belt sorter can also improve sorting accuracy and quality. The system uses scanning technology to identify products and direct them to the appropriate destinations. This reduces the possibility of human error and improves overall sorting quality.

In summary, the cross-belt sorter is a popular sorting solution in intralogistics due to its efficiency, speed, flexibility, adaptability, space and cost savings, and improved accuracy and quality. If you are looking for an automated sorting solution for your warehouse or distribution center, the cross-belt sorter may be an excellent option to consider.

Costs

Operating Costs

Crossbelt sorter operating costs include energy costs, maintenance costs, and repair costs. Energy costs can be significant, as the motors that drive the crossbelts and other system components require a considerable amount of energy. Maintenance and repair costs can also be significant, as the system has many moving parts and can suffer damage over time.

Return on Investment (ROI)

The ROI of a crossbelt sorter can be calculated by comparing the total implementation and operating costs with the benefits the system brings to the company. These benefits can include increased efficiency and productivity, a reduction in errors and inventory losses, and improved customer service. Additionally, the system can allow for increased processing capacity and reduced inventory processing time.

ROI can vary depending on the size of the company and the volume of inventory handled, but the system is generally expected to have a positive ROI. It is important to note that ROI is not achieved immediately, and it may take several months or even years to recover the initial implementation costs and begin generating real benefits.

Advantages versus other systems

Although other sorting systems such as pocket sorters or tilt tray sorters also have their own advantages, the crossbelt sorter is generally preferred due to its greater speed, accuracy, flexibility, and space savings. The pocket sorter can be effective for sorting small and lightweight products, but it can be limited in terms of speed and processing capacity. On the other hand, the tilt tray sorter can be faster than the crossbelt sorter, but it generally takes up more space and can be less accurate in sorting.

Implementation and Sizing

Implementing and sizing a crossbelt sorter is a complex process that requires specialized technical knowledge and careful planning. Before choosing an inventory sorting system such as a crossbelt sorter, it is important to consider several key factors, such as the type of product to be processed, the volume of inventory expected to be sorted, the required processing speed, and the available space in the warehouse or distribution center.

What is omnichannel?

The term omnichannel is being implemented in all businesses at a dizzying speed, as digitalization is giving rise to new forms of communication between customers and companies (online shopping, physical stores, apps, telephone, etc.). An omnichannel strategy refers to all the communication channels a company has and uses to communicate with users and customers. Its purpose is to provide the best possible user experience and meet the company’s commercial objectives.

What is the relationship between omnichannel and intralogistics?

There are many factors that can affect omnichannel, but we mainly always talk about the aspect where marketing influences, which is very important. There is also another very important factor, and this is logistics. No matter how much planning and metrics analysis are carried out on the buyer persona and their customer journey, if the warehouse is not sufficiently prepared to manage all the processes and meet delivery times at the different points, all the marketing and retail management and planning will have been for nothing.

The emergence of omnichannel and e-commerce has impacted the updating of operations, equipment, and software in logistics plants. Before e-commerce, warehouses only had to worry about fulfilling large orders from each store, but now, their equipment has had to be adapted to process both these large orders and smaller orders from the end customer.

End customers seek very fast purchases with almost immediate deliveries, so if we want to meet user expectations, we must have the facilities properly prepared to carry out the process successfully. To achieve this, it is necessary to automate processes, starting with the most repetitive ones, and have a balanced layout for the preparation and classification of large-volume shipments from stores and small packages from the end customer.

What should be taken into account when preparing a logistics plant for omnichannel?

First of all, you have to consider your starting space and investment. Then, you have to consider the number of references, the number of orders, the size of the goods, the number of returns (reverse logistics), and the number of geographic areas you cover. With all these factors under control, we can work on delivery times to ensure a satisfactory shopping experience for the end customer.

Sustainability in Logistics

Sustainability is becoming one of the main foundations for global business operations and the Supply Chain, and its implementation is not an easy task that can be achieved by just one individual or department. The supply chain interacts with a corporation’s entire environment: customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, and financial organizations. How the supply chain is managed can make a company more or less sustainable.

Sustainable logistics is the set of practices and strategies that reduce the environmental impact of the design, creation, production, and distribution of goods.

What techniques can help improve the sustainability of a warehouse?

–   Monitoring. Tracking each and every operation, which can be controlled using WMS software to monitor all processes in the logistics center.

–   Centralization. Gathering all merchandise in a single facility to reduce the transportation of goods from one location to another.

–   Automation. Improve warehouse operations, such as implementing electrically powered, automated stacker cranes for pallets and conveyors.

– Prevention and prediction. Proper maintenance helps improve sustainability, for example, through thermographic studies of industrial equipment, which predict potential failures in the object, thereby predicting potential installation failures and extending the equipment’s useful life by optimizing resources.

Implementing these sustainable practices can help reduce costs, improve efficiency, and improve the quality of services.

Conclusion

In short, we can affirm that there are numerous practices to improve the sustainability of the supply chain, and today, high-tech is available to make them a reality. Implementing sustainability measures helps the environment and also companies’ profits.

In some sectors, returns account for 50% of profits, so we believe it’s important to discuss this topic in more depth. The main reason for reverse logistics is customer dissatisfaction. In this case, the customer wants to return the product they received, or the delivery was incorrect, etc.

In what cases does a return occur?

Reverse logistics is a type of supply chain management that moves goods or products from customers to sellers or manufacturers.

There are several types of reverse logistics situations. These are: product return management, returns according to the return policy, product reconditioning, product or packaging recycling management, unsold products, end-of-life service, delivery failure, return of rental or leasing products, and finally, products that require maintenance or repair.

When a product is returned, it can be used for one of several purposes:

– Reconditioning the items so they can be resold.

– The destruction or recycling of products that can no longer be reused.

– The relocation of all items to their respective inventories.

How to achieve efficient reverse logistics?

One way to improve the return rate is to improve logistics operations by automating warehouses and logistics centers to avoid shipping errors and enable faster order fulfillment and achieve positive customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Finally, a reflection: reverse logistics is an intrinsic activity of the e-commerce industry, and customers increasingly demand faster returns or deliveries, which costs companies time and money. MIM helps automate warehouses, or in other words, various points in a company’s logistics operations, to optimize returns or deliveries.

It’s a revolutionary e-commerce business model that focuses on ultra-fast delivery of goods to make on-demand delivery a reality.

It all started with ultra-fast home delivery of prepared food and has spread to supermarkets, pharmacies, and other essential products.

Main Features of Q-Commerce

– Its main peculiarity is that it requires the internet to manage shipping services, payments, and user profiles.

– What characterizes Q-commerce is that delivery takes place in less than 2 hours.

– It is also characterized by convenience, since the product delivered is essential, such as medicines, household goods, etc.

– Finally, there is the availability of e-commerce companies, which are providers of services such as shopping and delivery.

The Beginnings of Fast-Trade

Major brands benefit from fast-trade, thus increasing their competitiveness. The needs for this system increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people began compulsively purchasing through e-commerce. Its operation has been made possible thanks to companies like MIM, which use technology with their clients to improve the intralogistics of large companies.

The Benefits of Fast Deliveries

Q-commerce has been gaining ground in recent years compared to regular e-commerce. One of its advantages is that fast commerce offers greater customer satisfaction, as it optimizes service by guaranteeing short delivery times for any type of product.

Q-commerce has cheaper means of distributing merchandise; this translates into bicycles and scooters, among others, being cheaper than regular distributors with more competitive prices.

Finally, it should be noted that the growth potential for Q-commerce is very large and will soon be able to expand to other services beyond the delivery of limited products.

Do you want to improve the efficiency of your supply chain and streamline the loading and unloading processes in your warehouse or distribution center? Then lightweight conveyor systems are the solution for you! These systems, which improve ergonomics and process quality, can completely transform your logistics operation, but which one should you choose? Which one best suits your business? The MIM Patchwork Service team explains the key points and differences between telescopic conveyors, belt conveyors, lightweight roller conveyors, and modular conveyors.

Telescopic Conveyors:

These devices allow you to load and unload trucks, containers, and rail cars quickly and efficiently, and are highly adaptable. Their control panel also gives you full control over speed, height, and direction of movement to optimize all types of processes. Without a doubt, they are an essential tool in the supply chain that perfectly adapts to the needs of the modern logistics industry.

Belt Conveyors:

Do you work with lightweight goods that require stability? Therefore, belt conveyors are the ideal solution. Their design allows for the efficient transport of products that require a flat and stable surface. They improve the efficiency of repetitive operations in warehouses and logistics plants. Furthermore, they come in a wide variety of formats with different lengths and widths (flat, curved, spiral, ascending, descending, etc.) that allow them to be installed in almost any location.

Lightweight Roller Conveyors:

A traditional yet effective option for distributing goods within your logistics facility. They reduce manual handling of packages and facilitate the flow of products in receiving, distribution, and shipping areas. Thanks to their simple operation and adaptability, they are an essential tool for improving productivity in your business.

Modular Conveyors:

Do you work in the food, beverage, or pharmaceutical industry? Modular conveyors are the perfect choice for you. With high-quality components and a hygienic design, they guarantee safe and efficient transport of your products. Furthermore, their low maintenance and ease of cleaning make them an ideal choice for environments that require high hygiene standards.

Ultimately, lightweight transport devices offer a wide range of logistics advantages for all types of businesses. From the flexibility of telescopic conveyors to the efficiency of modular conveyors, these solutions can propel your project toward a more agile and profitable model. At MIM Patchwork Service, we can help you optimize your logistics today! Contact us!

Intralogistics automation has become one of the most important tools for ensuring the efficiency and competitiveness of companies across all sectors in today’s fast-paced world of logistics. But what does this concept really entail? What are its benefits? We explain how this option can transform the operation of your business.

What is intralogistics automation?

Intralogistics automation involves incorporating automated technologies and devices into a warehouse, distribution center, or any other facility with the goal of optimizing work within these spaces. From receiving goods to storing, preparing, and shipping them, this technology allows these processes to be executed more efficiently and accurately.

Benefits of this solution

Automated solutions provide a wide variety of benefits that have a direct impact on the company’s work:

Increased productivity. Automation technology optimizes repetitive manual tasks and ensures greater efficiency in handling goods and products.
Reduction in operating costs. These devices reduce costs associated with warehouse and distribution center tasks by minimizing errors.
Improved accuracy and quality. These tools are designed to work accurately, efficiently, and consistently. They guarantee processes with a minimal margin of error, resulting in improved and more efficient handling and storage of goods.
Optimization of storage space. These systems offer a wide variety of formats (vertical, horizontal, suspended, etc.) that allow for maximum use of available space.
Flexibility and adaptability. Automation devices can be easily and custom-configured to adapt to new product lines, changes in production or demand, etc.
At MIM Patchwork Service, we have over a decade of experience developing customized intralogistics automation solutions for a wide variety of sectors and companies. We understand the specific needs of each client, develop our own technology, and offer innovative solutions that boost efficiency and competitiveness.

Contact us now and discover how we can help you optimize your internal processes and achieve your business goals!

Robomap is a customer service software that helps monitor and optimize a company’s resources. It tracks everything from time clocks and vacations to kilometers per worker, etc.

Where is ROBOMAP located and how does it work?

The room where Robomap operates is located in Can Fatjo dels Urons in Cerdanyola del Vallès, where the MIM group’s workshops and technical and operational offices are located. The room is characterized by the large number of screens displaying quadrants, whether maps or Linx (maintenance and personnel management software). The ROBOMAP office operates 24 hours a day, with two or three people per shift. If we ask the staff working in this department, “the work is similar to a puzzle, as they work to make all the pieces fit together.” In practice, this means that an operator must be scheduled for their entire workday, and the ROBOMAP room is responsible for managing technical staff across MIM’s various clients, both permanent and rotating. Furthermore, the hotline for remote customer assistance in the event of a breakdown is also managed.

Finally, it should be noted that technicians working at MIM Robomap must be trained in the use of this software program for optimizing resources for numerous companies.

MIM and Conlida join forces to transform the future of logistics

July 3, 2024

In a historic and innovative meeting, Group MIM had the honor of welcoming the Conlida team, the leading integrated provider of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) digital logistics application solutions, to its offices. This alliance marks the beginning of a promising collaboration that will merge cutting-edge technology with deep expertise in logistics digitalization.

Conlida, globally recognized for its focus on the optimization and digitalization of logistics processes, brings its vast experience in AIoT to the table. This synergy will allow Group MIM to develop more efficient and effective solutions, optimizing every aspect of the supply chain and providing its customers with an unparalleled experience in managing their logistics operations.

What is a warehouse management system?

A WMS (Warehouse Management System) is a set of software solutions for managing, controlling, and computerizing the processes and operations of companies’ warehouses and distribution centers. This software collects storage data to control, locate, and prepare goods by using automatic identification elements such as barcodes, RFID, pick-to-light displays, or voice picking. In other words, it manages the shipping and storage of goods, etc.

In addition, goods are moved within the warehouse using machines such as miniloads, stacker cranes, or conveyors, and these movements are recorded by the WMS (traceability). Another application of this software is to keep track of employee salaries, transport to other warehouses, and the hiring of necessary personnel. A characteristic of a WMS is that it allows picking to be performed automatically, either by voice or manually.

What are its functions?

The mission of a WMS is to manage, record, and optimize these movements within a warehouse. Connected to other software (such as ERP), it monitors orders, provides product traceability, etc.

Its functions include structuring storage, primary data management, inventory management, transportation management, internal warehouse processes (relocation, replenishment, new reservations, control center), incoming goods (notification, reception, breakdown of the received order into different units, quality inspection, storage), and outgoing goods (order management, picking, consolidation, packaging, shipping).

Conclusion

Having mentioned some of its features and functions, we can conclude that this software offers high usability and accessibility, allowing for comfortable interaction with its users.