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ProFlow´s deep dive into robotics and warehouse automation: Exotec
Interview series
In 2022, we will do an automation focused interview series at ProFlow. We are talking to some of the major traditional European players, but also to the new players who are investing 100% in robotics and alternative solutions. We see that both types of automation can work together but also compete, and we want to help our customers to monitor this development and, if necessary, propose it.
We talk to automation suppliers and robot suppliers such as TGW, Knapp, SSI Schäfer, Swisslog, Geek +, Element Logic, Kardex, Ferag, Dematic, Caja! Suppliers have so much knowledge, the development is going at an intense pace and we hope that this interview series will give you as much as it has given us!
”Currently we invest the most in the area of packaging and downstream processes for picking. Especially for outgoing goods. We invest for expanding the portfolio around the picking warehouse.”
”The Skypod robot technology combines multiple functionalities, its moves 4m/s, its ready to use on site in 2 hours, it maps the whole solution by themselves, climbs with 1m/s up to 12ms and climbs in the same chimney and passing by each other.”
”It is important to act economically and sustainably in terms of the environment. The Power consumption of our Skypod robotic solution is 5 times lower than traditional automation solutions.”
”Impotant criterias are reliable and redundant technology, scalability and flexibility possibilities of the product, fast time to market (go- live) ans last fast reaction to concept changes.”
”The least developed area in warehouse with in automation is the che connections between the automated operating systems.”
”One, or several site visit are mandatory during a project to give the client a better understanding of the technology and give them a real hands-on experience.”
Exotec, founded 2015 in Lille, France makes fulfillment smarter, their signature Skypod system deploys robots to bring items directly to warehouse workers. They make it simple to deliver sustainable, accurate, and profitable order fulfillment.
We have spoken to Andreas Stöcklt, senior sales executive DACH and Central Europe at EXOTEC who claims that Exotec is the future of smart and efficient – and elegant warehouse logistic robotics.
What warehouse area do you recommend automating first and where is the biggest potential?
We always recommend automating the picking processes first, as this is where the greatest potential for saving resources can be found. In addition, the ongoing and increasing shortage of personnel is causing problems in the logistics industry, which is why automating the picking process gives companies more freedom in finding personnel. Furthermore, automating a warehouse offers the possibility of maintaining operations 24/7, which in turn leads to greater efficiency in throughput.
Describe three success keys when running automation projects. What are the most important criteria’s for the customer when evaluating automation?
For us, the following three success factors are important in the implementation of automation projects:
- Possibility to increase business and companies growth path even with lack of available employees on the market. More independent and flexible.
- Improving ergonomic work environment for employees
- Return of Investment Calculation is always the key, broader view, keep the employes.
If you have a potential need of automation, do you have a recommendation where to start with your type of equipment?
- Exotec offers high performance Goods-to-person system (robots assists the picker).
- Secondly connecting all material flows with automated solutions even inside our GTP-solution (Development of own conveyor solution).
- Exotec is not only supplier of GTP system but also general contractor with focus on skypod system (coverage of automated flow of material). Additionally we are working together with selected integrators for whole warehouse automation projects.
If you start an automation project. Can you mention three success keys that makes the project successful
- Understand the real need of the customer (look behind the scene)
- Get the bigger picture of the whole warehouse processes. You need to evaluate if the solution you have will fit to all the other processes.
- Stay within the standard to deliver a perfectly working solution
Which criteria should you recommend a customer to look most in to?
- Reliable and redundant technology
- Scalability and Flexibility possibilities of the product
- Fast time to market – Go live.
- Fast reaction to concept changes
If you start an automation project. Can you mention three success keys that makes the project successful
- Understand the real need of the customer (look behind the scene)
- Get the bigger picture of the whole warehouse processes. You need to evaluate if the solution you have will fit to all the other processes.
- Stay within the standard to deliver a perfectly working solution.
Which criteria should you recommend a customer to look most in to?
- Reliable and redundant technology
- Scalability and Flexibility possibilities of the product
- Fast time to market – Go live.
- Fast reaction to concept changes
Do you have a best-selling product right now and in what way are Exotec most innovative or unique?
The Skypod System (The one and only!) 2016 first one went live in France.
And we are innovative in flexibility, scalability and modularity. We can adept the difference functionality of the system individually, for example if you need more performance, throughput, we can adept without any interruption on the on going business.
Do you have a special product group or something that you want to highlight?
The Skypicker (Automated picking solution with industrial robot and visual detection via AI algorithm)
Which product are you most proud of as Exotec Business Unit Central Europe?
The Skypod robot technology which combines multiple functionalities:
- 4m/s fast moving without any marking on or in the floor
- Ready to use on site in 2 hours
- Mapping of the whole solution by themselves
- Climbing with 1m/s up to 12ms
- Climbing in the same chimney and passing by each other
- The NAMES of the robots
Is it in the picking- and sorting area that you’re putting most R&D resource/money?
Currently we invest the most in the area of packaging and downstream processes for picking. Especially for outgoing goods. We invest for expanding the portfolio around the picking warehouse.
When you look at a warehouse, which is the least developed area in warehouse with in automation?
The connections between the automated operating systems.
Can you rank the sort of solution that you are competing with?
We compete in particular with shuttle, cube storage and mobile shelf.
What is your view on the impact on the environmental questions regarding automation?
It is a subject that a project team is actively working on. For us, it is important to act economically and sustainably in terms of the environment. For example, the Power consumption of our Skypod robotic solution is 5 times lower than traditional automation solutions.
Which automation fairs do you recommend?
LogiMAT is the most important for logistics for BU Central Europe (Our office close to Munich is responsible for the markets Germany, Austria, Suisse, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Therefore, our office is called BU Central Europe). We will attend for sure this trade fair and several more around the globe (MODEX in North America, SITL in France, IMHX in the UK Smart-Logistics-Expo Japan. Just to name a few).
If you could recommend people to learn more about automation, where should they look/where would they find the information?
For basic principles for logistics and intralogistics we would recommend technical/experts literature. Internet/Youtube since the functionalities is easier to understand through videos and possibility to stay up to date.
Are you open for site visits/is it easy to arrange site visits one the sites where you exist today?
For us a site visit is mandatory during a project to give the client a better understanding of the technology and give them a real hands-on experience.
In your perspective, what’s your dream customer? Can you describe the type of customer, the size of customer and so on?
A dream customer is a customer with whom we are working as partners on same level. Longterm and close partnership.
How would your dream automation solution looks like?
Size of the project doesn’t matter to us and our flexible solution. Our intention is to give every customer the possibility to optimize their warehouse logistics and increase their efficiency.
