Vijay Harti, the Operations Director at VSH Logistics Solutions Pvt Ltd, is at the forefront of innovations in intralogistics automation, particularly where emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics drive operational efficiency. His insights shed light on the most transformative trends, from predictive maintenance to AI-powered warehouse systems, that are reshaping the logistics landscape.
Vijay Harti, Operation Director, VSH Logistics Solutions Pvt Ltd.
What are the most significant trends seen shaping the intralogistics automation sector?
The trends may be summarised as follows:
1. AI and Machine Learning (ML) in Automation
2. Warehouse Management and Execution Systems (WMS/WES)
3. Last-Mile Delivery Automation
4. E-commerce Growth and On-Demand Warehousing
5. Training Ground Staff
How are emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and robotics enhancing efficiency, predictive maintenance, and real-time decision-making in intralogistics automation?
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2. Internet of Things (IoT)
In what ways is the integration between intralogistics and packaging automation evolving? How are these two sectors creating synergies?
The integration of intralogistics and packaging automation is transforming supply chains for greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Key developments include:
1. End-to-End Automation: Seamless systems streamline goods flow from storage to shipping, reducing manual handling, errors, and speeding up order fulfilment.
2. Increased Efficiency: Synchronised operations in picking, sorting, and packaging boost throughput, while scalable automation adapts to fluctuating demand.
3. Sustainability: Automated packaging creates right-sized packages, reducing waste and using eco-friendly materials to lower the environmental impact.
4. Enhanced Traceability: Integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) ensures product traceability, compliance, and accurate automated labelling.
5. Optimised Order Fulfilment: Automated quality control and order-specific packaging enhance customer satisfaction by reducing errors and improving delivery accuracy.
How can automation solutions in packaging and intralogistics drive operational efficiency, support sustainability goals, and help businesses meet evolving regulatory requirements on sustainability?
The combination of intralogistics and packaging automation creates several significant synergies that enhance the overall performance of supply chain operations:
How are companies approaching the need for flexibility and customisation in automated packaging and intralogistics systems, especially in the context of varying consumer demands?
1. Smart Packaging Solutions
2. Data-Driven Decision Making
How is automation in intralogistics and packaging contributing to supply chain resilience in the face of global disruptions?
Automation in intralogistics and packaging enhances supply chain resilience by increasing flexibility, speed, and responsiveness in the face of global disruptions. Automated systems can quickly adapt to changing demand patterns, supply shortages, or labour constraints, allowing businesses to scale operations up or down without sacrificing efficiency.
Automation reduces dependency on human labour, which is crucial during disruptions like pandemics or workforce shortages. Robots, AI-driven systems, and automated warehouses ensure continuous operations with minimal downtime. Additionally, advanced data analytics in automation provides real-time visibility into the supply chain, enabling quicker decision-making, better forecasting, and proactive risk management, helping businesses to anticipate and respond effectively to disruptions.
How do automation solutions in intralogistics and packaging differ across various industries, and what industry-specific trends are driving their adoption?
Automation solutions in intralogistics and packaging differ across industries based on their unique requirements, operational complexities, and the nature of their products. Here's a brief overview of the differences and industry-specific trends:
1. Manufacturing and Automotive: These industries require high precision and just-in-time delivery in their logistics. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), collaborative robots (cobots), and advanced conveyor systems are commonly used. The drive toward Industry 4.0, with a focus on digital transformation and smart factories, is a significant trend in this area.
2. Logistics and Warehousing: Flexibility and speed in managing diverse product types and volumes are essential. Innovations like AI-powered warehouse management systems, drone technology, and robotics for order fulfillment are widely implemented. The growth of global supply chains and the need to manage complex logistics networks are fueling automation trends.
3. Retail and E-commerce: This industry focuses heavily on speed, efficiency, and scalability due to high demand fluctuations. Automation trends include robotics for picking and sorting, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and AI-driven inventory management. The rise of channel retailing and fast delivery expectations are key drivers of automation adoption.
4. Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Precision, traceability, and compliance with strict regulations are crucial in this sector. Automated solutions like track-and-trace systems, robotic handling of delicate products, and temperature-controlled packaging are widely adopted. The focus on patient safety and the growing demand for personalised medicine are major trends driving automation.
5. Food and Beverage: Hygiene, quality control, and rapid handling of perishable goods are top priorities here. Automation trends include robotic packaging systems, vision-based inspection technologies, and smart conveyors that maintain cleanliness. The demand for sustainable packaging and efficient handling of fresh products is accelerating automation in this sector.
Overall, the adoption of automation in intralogistics and packaging is driven by industry-specific needs for efficiency, speed, precision, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. Emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and IoT are shaping these trends, making supply chains more resilient and responsive to market demands.
How are companies balancing human labour with automation in intralogistics and packaging, and what role does human-machine collaboration play in this transition?
Companies are balancing human labour with automation in intralogistics and packaging through a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both. Rather than replacing workers, businesses focus on human-machine collaboration, where automation handles repetitive, hazardous tasks, while humans concentrate on problem-solving and decision-making. Collaborative robots (cobots) work alongside humans in tasks like heavy lifting and sorting, boosting productivity and safety. Companies also invest in upskilling workers to manage these systems. This synergy between human expertise and machine efficiency enhances flexibility, resilience, and overall operational efficiency.
(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented)
Vijay Harti, in an illustrious career spanning 2 decades, is focussed on supply chain management for complex and long-term projects including creating and implementing various supply chain strategies/ processes / procedures; and coming up with innovative ideas to translate project objectives into clear and actionable business plans, and requirements and recommendations.
Selected Highlights and Contributions
Conceptualised Warehouse Footprint Optimisation Roadmap from 24 to 16 locations, reduced operation cost by 31%.
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