Reputation for automation

Though often over-looked, a modern warehousing system ultimately provides greater value to the user. Will the GCC welcome such simplified, though initially costly procedures?

In keeping up with an increasingly competitive business environment, logistics from within the warehouse often prove vital. With the available technologies on the market, the old-fashioned warehouse administration system is becoming ever more obsolete. Systems today are more intelligent, more flexible, and provide greater efficiency as well as accuracy, in the evolving field of logistic technology.

Recent advancements include the ability to interface directly with production planning and control systems, as well as merchandise management, or customer order systems. In other words, the future of order picking and distribution is automation.

“There are some amazing technologies available,” says Ramon Thoms, Director of Business Development, Ehrhardt + Partner Solutions. “But the Middle East is about ten years behind the rest of the world. So the potential in this market, while slow at first, remains extremely high”

With innovations such as online radio frequency terminals, Pick-by-Voice, and RFID solutions, Ehrhardt + Partner feel they are leading the technological charge towards warehousing efficiency.

“We are not just a software selling company. We are also giving consulting, training, and planning,” says Thoms. “We want to train the awareness of modern warehouse processes. We want to be a partner to everyone down here.”

Based in Germany, Ehrhardt + Partner became interested in the region when they noticed all the major 3PL players setting up shop in Dubai. As the first company registered in Dubai Logistics City, they bring with them their ‘reputation for automation’.

“In Europe we have customers who have not had one single wreck, ever, while using our products.”

But with the abundance of cheap labour, will the Middle East market be willing to shell out the costs for such consultations or technologies?

“Land is cheap and labor is cheap,” says Thoms. “But this is all increasing.”

“We want to show them what an automatic warehouse would look like.”