What is AutoStore - and why are more and more companies relying on it?
The increasing complexity of intralogistics, shorter delivery times, constantly growing e-commerce and an increasing variety of articles present companies with enormous challenges. Warehouse space is becoming scarce, processes need to be automated and yet remain flexible. This is precisely where AutoStore a highly dynamic and space-saving automated small parts warehouse (AKL) that revolutionises the handling of warehouse goods.
AutoStore is an automated storage system based on a unique concept: Plastic containers (bins) are stacked in an aluminum grid and transported by robots to so-called ports (work stations) as required. The special feature: the robots travel on the grid, lift the required bins vertically out of the stack and transport them horizontally. This results in a highly compact, extremely efficient system. The compact system optimises storage capacity, enables fast and efficient picking and adapts flexibly to changing storage requirements.
More and more companies are opting to use AutoStore, as the system offers significant advantages in terms of space utilisation, productivity, energy efficiency and optimal use of resources, among other things, as Anneke Lüschen, Consulting Alliance Director EMEA at AutoStore, emphasises in the following video.
Increasing demands in intralogistics – such as limited storage space, short delivery times, an increasing variety of items and growing e-commerce – require flexible, automated solutions. This is exactly where AutoStore comes into play: a compact and highly dynamic automated small parts warehouse (AS/RS) that makes warehouse processes more efficient.
AutoStore as an automated storage system is based on a unique concept: plastic containers (bins) are stacked in an aluminum grid and transported to ports (work stations) by robots as required. The robots travel on the grid, lift the required bins vertically out of the stack and transport them horizontally. This creates an extremely space-saving and efficient storage concept that enables fast order picking and is flexibly adaptable.
More and more companies are turning to AutoStore – thanks to the benefits in terms of space utilisation, productivity, energy efficiency and resource usage, as Anneke Lüschen, Consulting Alliance Director EMEA at AutoStore, emphasises in the following video.
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More InformationWho is AutoStore suitable for?
AutoStore is the ideal solution for companies that want to achieve maximum storage density and combine this with high efficiency. The system is particularly suitable for companies with the following requirements:
- High variety of articles with limited storage space: AutoStore makes optimum use of the available space – ideal for companies with many handling units and limited storage space.
- Small products with a high turnover rate: The fast access time to containers makes AutoStore perfect for products that are picked frequently.
- High demands on picking speed and accuracy: In e-commerce and just-in-time deliveries in particular, every second counts – AutoStore impresses with its high picking performance and minimal error rates.
- Industry-specific requirements in areas such as e-commerce, spare parts logistics, electronics, healthcare and fashion: Industries with many small parts and short delivery times benefit in particular.
Scalability with growing business volumes: AutoStore grows with you – modules, robots and ports can be flexibly expanded without interrupting ongoing operations.
Whether you are a medium-sized company or an international corporation – AutoStore’s modular design allows it to be adapted precisely to individual requirements and structural conditions. The combination of compact design, energy-efficient operation and integration into modern IT systems such as SAP EWM makes AutoStore a future-proof investment for any company that wants to take its intralogistics to the next level.
AutoStore is the ideal solution for companies that want to achieve maximum storage density and high efficiency at the same time. The system is particularly suitable for the following constellations:
- High variety of articles with limited storage space
- Small products with a high turnover rate
- High demands on picking speed and accuracy
- Industry-specific requirements in areas such as e-commerce, spare parts logistics, electronics, healthcare or fashion
Scalability with growing business volume
Whether you are a medium-sized company or an international corporation – the modular structure of AutoStore allows it to be adapted to individual requirements and structural conditions. The combination of compact design, energy-efficient operation and integration into modern IT systems such as SAP EWM makes AutoStore a future-proof investment.
What advantages does AutoStore offer?
The strengths of AutoStore lie in its combination of efficiency, scalability, flexibility and future-proofing. The key benefits include
- Maximum use of space: AutoStore enables up to four times higher storage density compared to conventional shelving systems – perfect when space is limited.
- Flexible and highly scalable: The system grows with the company Grid, robots and ports can be expanded modularly without disrupting ongoing operations.
- Outstanding energy efficiency: The robots work with minimal energy consumption – This saves operating costs and reduces the ecological footprint.
- High speed and availability: Several robots work in parallel and independentlywhich leads to extremely short access times and high system availability.
- Low-maintenance technology: The proven technology is robust, low-wear and resistant to failure – ideal for uninterrupted 24/7 operation.
- Quick installation and easy integration: AutoStore can be installed comparatively quickly and seamlessly integrated into existing IT landscapes and warehouse management systems such as SAP EWM into existing IT landscapes and warehouse management systems such as SAP EWM.
- Increased picking quality: The automated systemminimises picking errorswhich increases process reliability and quality.
AutoStore is therefore far more than just a storage system – it is a strategic building block for future-oriented intralogistics that is geared towards the requirements of e-commerce, Industry 4.0 and global competition, for example. The system therefore enables cost-efficient, high-performance and space-saving warehousing – a real game changer for modern intralogistics.
The advantages of AutoStore lie in the combination of efficiency, scalability, flexibility and future-proofing. These are above all:
- Maximum use of space
- Flexible and highly scalable system
- Outstanding energy efficiency
- High speed and availability
- Increased picking quality
AutoStore is far more than just a storage system – it is a strategic building block for future-oriented intralogistics that is geared towards the requirements of e-commerce, Industry 4.0 and global competition, for example. The system enables cost-efficient, high-performance and space-saving warehousing.
The perfect combination: AutoStore + SAP EWM
As powerful as AutoStore is as a physical storage system, it only reveals its full potential when seamlessly integrated into an intelligent warehouse management system such as SAP EWM.
SAP EWM (Extended Warehouse Management) is SAP’s modular warehouse management software that digitally maps, automates and monitors complex intralogistics processes. From goods receipt, putaway, stock transfer and replenishment control to picking, shipping and tracking, SAP EWM offers a comprehensive set of functions for controlling modern, dynamic warehouse environments.
Why is integration with SAP EWM so crucial?
Central process control: SAP EWM takes over the complete control and optimisation of warehouse processes – from goods receipt to goods issue – and intelligently orchestrates all AutoStore components.
Transparency & real-time data: Thanks to the integration, all material flows in the AutoStore are recorded and visualised in real timewhich enables complete transparency and precise inventory management.
Optimised warehouse strategies: SAP EWM enables the application of intelligent putaway, retrieval and replenishment strategies that make targeted use of AutoStore’s capacity and avoid bottlenecks.
Efficient order processing: Picking orders are automatically prioritised and bundled, reducing throughput times and meeting delivery deadlines.
Scalability & flexibility: New articles, processes or enhancements can be quickly mapped in SAP EWM – perfect for growing requirements in the company.
Future-proof IT architecture: The combination of SAP EWM and AutoStore creates a robust, expandable system landscape that is Industry 4.0-capable and can be ideally integrated into existing SAP systems (e.g. SAP S/4HANA).
Conclusion: The combination of AutoStore with SAP EWM creates a powerful overall system that combines physical efficiency with digital intelligence – the basis for agile, scalable and transparent warehouse logistics. With SAP EWM as the dominant system.
As powerful as AutoStore is as a physical storage system, it only reveals its full potential when seamlessly integrated into an intelligent warehouse management system such as SAP EWM (Extended Warehouse Management). SAP EWM controls all warehouse processes – from goods receipt to dispatch – and offers considerable advantages, especially for complex, automated warehouses. SAP EWM thus ensures maximum efficiency in interaction with AutoStore.
Why is integration with SAP EWM so crucial?
Central process control: SAP EWM orchestrates all warehouse processes including AutoStore.
Transparency & real-time data: All material flows are recorded in recorded in real timewhich enables complete transparency and precise inventory management.
Optimised warehouse strategies: Application of intelligent putaway, stock removal and replenishment strategies mapped in SAP EWM
Efficient order processing: automatic bundling and prioritisation of picking orders
Scalability & flexibility: New articles or processes can be quickly mapped in EWM.
Future-proof IT architecture: the combination of SAP EWM and AutoStore creates a robust, modern system landscape
Conclusion: The combination of AutoStore with SAP EWM creates a powerful overall system that combines physical efficiency with digital intelligence – the basis for agile, scalable and transparent warehouse logistics. With SAP EWM as the dominant system.
Challenges in the integration of AutoStore in SAP EWM
The combination of AutoStore and SAP EWM brings many opportunities – but also challenges. For a holistic integration into the existing IT and process landscape, it is important not only to focus on the technical connection , but also to keep an eye on logistical integration and user integration.
1. technical integration – direct integration for a holistic data and process flow
This is about smooth communication between AutoStore and SAP EWM. The aim is loss-free, stable and high-performance data exchange in real time: stock messages, order status, container movements and system messages must be transferred correctly at all times.
Although some AutoStore integrators offer dedicated middleware for the connection, this leads to many disadvantages, such as duplicate master data maintenance, process interruptions, synchronization problems, manual activities, a lack of transparency or time-delayed processes. A direct connection to SAP EWM is therefore recommended.
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More InformationIn general, there are two types of direct connection: Task Interface and Bin Interface. As the bin interface has become less relevant due to technological developments, we will only discuss the task interface below.
With the direct connection via Task Interface, SAP EWM becomes the dominant system:
- Inventory management in SAP EWM
- Control directly from SAP EWM
- Order transmission on the basis of picking lists
- SAP EWM can determine the order sequence and sorting
- Storage and retrieval strategies in the SAP EWM standard
- UI in SAP EWM
2. logistical integration – Interlinking processes intelligently
The logistical integration ensures that AutoStore does not function in isolation, but as an integral part of the supply chain. This includes the coordination of warehouse strategies, picking processes, replenishment control and dispatch processing in SAP EWM with the physical processes in the AutoStore system.
The aim is a continuous material flow – from goods receipt to dispatch – that is optimally tailored to the capabilities of AutoStore. This applies, for example, to buffer logics, batch formation, replenishment or multi-order picking.
3. user integration – Creating acceptance through intuitive processes
Even the best technology is useless if it cannot be used efficiently by the people in the warehouse. This is why user-side integration to promote interaction with the system is a key success factor.
This includes intuitive user interfaces in SAP EWM, role-based dialogs for pickers at the AutoStore ports, structured training concepts and close involvement of employees in the change process. At LogiPlus, we use UI5 dialogs, among other things, which are individually tailored to the respective workplace.
The general aim is to streamline and speed up the workstation dialogue individually for each workstation and user. This supports two of the key benefits of AutoStore – speed and productivity.
The LogiPlus solution for the integration of AutoStore in SAP EWM
To ensure that the integration of AutoStore into SAP EWM does not become a lengthy large-scale project, LogiPlus offers a tried and tested, ready-to-use complete solution in the form of the LP PowerPackage/4AS.
The goal: technical, logistical and user-related integration from a single source – fast, well thought-out and with minimal project effort.
The advantages at a glance:
Ready-to-run in just 2 days: Thanks to prefabricated components, the solution can be used productively within a very short time – without the need for time-consuming in-house development.
Seamless integration in SAP EWM: The solution is based on the SAP standard architecture and enables a smooth connection to the AutoStore Controller – via the V2 interface.
Including process logic & user interfaces: All central processes are already integrated – including proven warehouse strategies, intuitive UI5 dialogs and practical picking processes.
Tried and tested in numerous customer projects: The solution is based on the experience gained from many successful AutoStore integrations in SAP EWM and SAP WM – both for SMEs and large corporations.
Future-proof & flexibly expandable: The LP PowerPackage/4AS can be adapted to individual requirements and expanded at any time – ideal for growing warehouse structures.
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More InformationWith the LP PowerPackage/4AS, LogiPlus creates a powerful bridge between AutoStore and SAP EWM – without long implementation phases, but with high practical suitability.
If you don’t want to start from scratch, but want to rely on proven processes, modern user guidance and stable technology right from the start, you will find the perfect solution here.
👉 You can find more information on our product page: LP PowerPackage 4AS
Practical knowledge from web seminars and customer projects
In our webinars on AutoStore integration with SAP EWM, we share our expertise and provide exclusive insights into customer projects. You will learn how companies from different industries have benefited from our solution – and which pitfalls you should avoid.
🤘Rock Your Automation!
Future-proof end-to-end warehouse processes with AutoStore and SAP EWM
👉 Watch the recording from 12.03.2025 now (presentation at LogiMAT)
🤘Rock Your Automation!
Future-proof end-to-end warehouse processes with AutoStore and SAP EWM
👉 Watch the recording from 05.12.2024 now (web seminar)
🤘AutoStore & SAP EWM
more efficiency through an intelligent connection to SAP EWM
👉 Watch the recording from 26.09.2022 now (web seminar)
🤘AutoStore
Ways to a custom-fit SAP EWM connection
👉 Watch the recording from 16.09.2021 now (web seminar)
All current dates and recordings can be found at: logiplus.de/events
