A Sammons Warehouse Solutions Company

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

Precision Warehouse Design (PWD) specializes in engineering and integrating automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) that deliver maximum efficiency, throughput, and accuracy for your warehouse operations. Our custom-designed automated warehouse storage solutions reduce reliance on manual labor, and future-proof your infrastructure with scalable, intelligent automation. These advanced solutions maximize warehouse space to easily accommodate growth and meet your evolving business needs.
  • Turnkey AS/RS Integration

    Our end-to-end automated storage and retrieval solutions ensure seamless integration with your existing transport flow, conveyor system networks, and sortation of your physical equipment. We guarantee you will reach your target operating speeds and throughput requirements without operational bottlenecks, ensuring smooth operations across your entire physical footprint.

  • Real-Time System Control

    Manage and monitor your warehouse space with advanced, configurable SCADA software designed for efficient inventory management. Gain complete visibility over inventory levels, order processing workflows, and equipment health using real time data and accurate tracking from any location worldwide.

With a proven track record of serving multi-billion dollar enterprises across various industries, our expert design and implementation team delivers robust, efficient, and future-proof automated systems tailored to your unique operational demands, allowing businesses to optimize their storage capacity.

Automated Racking Solutions, High Density Storage, & Technologies We Implement

A successful automatic retrieval system includes several components working together to optimize storage density, improving efficiency, and enhance overall warehouse productivity through smart space optimization. PWD designs and installs tailored configurations based on your unit load weight, dimensions (metres), and workflow.

Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs)

High-density, automated storage systems that act as an enclosed elevator, delivering trays of inventory directly to an ergonomic workstation. These systems optimize space by fully utilizing a facility’s vertical space and increasing picking speed for stored items.

Pallet Shuttle System

This high density storage solution utilizes motorized mobile robots that act as a shuttle, moving pallets within deep storage lanes. It eliminates the need for forklift entry, minimizes aisle space, and vastly increases stock density for your unit load inventory.

Automated Picking Systems (Goods-to-Person)

Wireless autonomous mobile robots deliver totes or cartons directly to operators, supporting high volume order fulfillment and eliminating operator walk time, allowing them to quickly access needed inventory with minimal human contact.

Cube-based System

Ultra-high density storage utilizing robots that retrieve bins from modular grids. These high-throughput systems, such as AutoStore, are highly scalable, supporting an infinite potential number of pick stations for your retrieved items.

Crane-Based AS/RS & Fixed Aisle Systems

Utilizing a mechanized crane (machine) operating in a fixed aisle, these automate storage in high bay warehouses, perfect for moving heavy stock and creating massive storage space.

Unit Load AS/RS

Automated systems explicitly designed to handle, transport, and store large, uniform loads, typically stored on pallets or in heavy-duty containers, optimizing your floor space.

Mini Load AS/RS Systems

Compact mini load automated racking solutions for small parts, slow moving items, and totes, commonly used in order processing, high-throughput screening, and light manufacturing to maximize the usable storage area.

Ideal Facility Profiles & Practical Use Cases

Choosing the right automated storage system depends heavily on your industry profile. Here is how different sectors deploy our storage and retrieval systems to solve specific operational challenges and reduce repetitive tasks:

1. Retail & E-Commerce Order Fulfillment 

  • The Challenge: High SKU counts, unpredictable order processing volumes, and the need for rapid throughput demands to meet tight shipping deadlines.
  • The Use Case: Implementing a Goods-to-Person or Cube-Based System (like an AutoStore system). Instead of workers walking miles per day to locate a carton, autonomous mobile robots bring the exact retrieved items to an ergonomic workstation. This drastically speeds up fulfillment, virtually eliminates human error in picking, and allows retail facilities to easily scale during peak holiday seasons.

2. Manufacturing & Assembly

  • The Challenge: Managing raw materials, tracking work in process (WIP), and ensuring the production line is never starved of parts while maintaining real time tracking.
  • The Use Case: Deploying mini load systems, vertical carousels, and carousel systems (such as a vertical loop) at the point of use. These systems integrate directly with inventory management software to feed components to assembly stations just in time. This prevents costly stockouts and keeps manufacturing productivity high.

3. Wholesaling & Distribution Centers 

  • The Challenge: Storing thousands of heavy unit load pallets efficiently while maintaining high network throughput and fast loading dock turnaround times in a limited storage space.
  • The Use Case: Implementing unit load AS/RS or Pallet Shuttle Systems integrated with automated guided vehicles (AGVs). This limits the need for manual forklift operation in narrow aisles, drastically reducing product damage and improving facility safety while maximizing cubic storage density to create substantial cost savings.

AS/RS Systems Manufacturers - Our Partners

As an authorized distributor and partner with top-tier automation innovators, we evaluate a wide variety of technology options before recommending the optimal ASRS solution for your business.

Choosing the Right AS/RS for Your Load and Facility Type

The ideal AS/RS solution depends on your load profiles, facility layout, and operational needs.

By Load Type

  • Heavy/Unit Loads

    Ideal solutions: Crane-based AS/RS, Unit Load AS/RS, Pallet Shuttle Systems. Common in manufacturing and bulk distribution.

  • Light/Small Loads

    Ideal solutions: Mini Load AS/RS, VLMs, Vertical Carousels.
    Best for e-commerce, small parts storage, and high-frequency picking.

By Facility Type

  • Distribution Centers

    Combine Unit Load AS/RS for bulk storage and Mini Load or Cube-Based AS/RS for order fulfillment.

  • Manufacturing Facilities

    Use AS/RS for incoming raw materials, point of use, fixtures, and outbound goods. Integration with production lines is key.

  • Warehousing and 3PL

    Maximize space and accessibility with a mix of Crane-based, Goods-to-Person, and Shuttle systems.

AS/RS Case Studies: Real-World Implementations

Choosing the right automated storage system depends heavily on your industry profile. Here is how different sectors deploy our storage and retrieval systems to solve specific operational challenges and reduce repetitive tasks:

Choose Precision Warehouse Design Before Installation

PWD takes a comprehensive approach to warehouse automation, ensuring your infrastructure is built for long-term success.

Unbiased Vendor Selection

We provide objective consultation to find the best-fit automated storage and retrieval technology from leading manufacturers, ensuring it integrates perfectly with your complementary material-handling physical equipment and conveyor system.

Holistic Warehouse Process Optimization

We audit your entire ecosystem – from employee ergonomics and manual labor bottlenecks to integration with your warehouse management system (WMS).

Scalable and Future-Proof Solutions

We design for projected growth, allowing businesses to ensure their investment in automated systems yields optimal performance and continuous inventory management as market demands evolve.

FAQ's: Buying Considerations & ROI

What is the typical ROI for automated warehouse storage solutions?

While capital intensive upfront, most facilities achieve a full Return on Investment within 3 to 5 years. Cost savings are realized through a drastic reduction in manual labor costs through reduced labor requirements, lower rates of human error/returns, reclaimed floor space (often delaying the need for facility expansion), and a massive boost in overall productivity and network throughput.

How do I know which automated racking solutions fit my infrastructure?

Selection depends on your specific load profiles (e.g., unit load pallets vs. split-case cartons), required speed/throughput demands, weight capacities, and facility dimensions (usable height in metres to utilize vertical space). PWD engineers conduct a thorough data analysis of your inventory levels and order processing requirements to recommend the exact technology profile that fits your business needs.

Can an automatic retrieval system integrate with our existing WMS/ERP?

Yes. Modern AS/RS technology is driven by sophisticated software that acts as a bridge. Whether you use a legacy inventory control platform or a modern cloud-based warehouse management system, we ensure seamless API integration. This guarantees your computer data storage, real time data tracking, and automated fulfillment operations are perfectly synced for accurate tracking.

Does automation eliminate the need for my workforce?

No. Rather than replacing workers, an automated storage and retrieval system elevates them. By automating repetitive tasks, heavy, and physically demanding transport tasks (like pushing heavy carts or driving a forklift), your staff is reallocated to higher-value tasks like quality control, management, and system supervision – all within a much safer, highly ergonomic environment with minimized human contact.

Automate Material Handling by Speaking to an Engineer

Based in Dallas, Precision Warehouse Design strategically positions its sales representatives, project managers, and material handling engineers in key logistics centers nationwide. Let us help you transform your warehouse operations across the United States and Canada.