WCS and DroneScan working together on drone-based inventory management for warehouses
Worldwide Chain Stores (WCS) has agreed a strategic alliance with DroneScan that will bring drone-based inventory management into WCS’ customers’ warehouses.
In a recently-published statement, WCS said the DroneScan system is already being piloted by retail wholesaler Musgrave Retail Partners in its distribution centre in Cork, Ireleand.
According to WCS, DroneScan provides a robotic solution for scanning products and pallets in warehouses. “The drone allows for airborne capturing of data while the operator receives live feedback as it scans,” said WCS. “Inspecting the condition of products or verifying the contents of pallets can be easily achieved as the drone is also fitted with a camera.”
Joshila Makan, the CEO of WCS, commented: “Through our Strategic Alliances programme we aim to offer our customers thoroughly tested and approved integrations of technically advanced innovative and disruptive technologies. This alliance with DroneScan is a perfect example of where new technology is gaining huge traction in the retail warehouse environment.
“Reducing costs and increasing performance is central to retail businesses in today’s consumer led environment. Robotic and automated technology is not the future, it’s the here and now. The opportunities for drones are vast in the warehouse, from fleets of drones transporting cartons from receiving areas, placing them directly into storage positions or placing them efficiently in staging areas for kitting. The ability to increase safety in many areas of the warehouse with these drones is a key value proposition.”