Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

What is an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS)?

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, also known as AS/RS, is a broad category of warehouse automations. Most AS/RS are used in GTP (Goods-to-Person) environments, where operators remain in one location, and technology and machines bring them the items that they need.

Storage & Retrieval

As the name suggests, automated storage and retrieval systems have two main purposes: to  store and retrieve items and inventory.

• Storage: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems are used to store items and inventory at any stage of the order fulfillment process and in a variety of industries—from consolidating and holding orders to managing parts before assembly. AS/RS are commonly used as buffer storage, to safely hold  inventory and items in an organized manner, until they’re needed for the next step in a process.
• Retrieval: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems are also used to retrieve items from their storage area, reducing the manual labor required for picking items. Often, an AS/RS is used to bring a product directly to the operator, saving the operator time and walking distance. Some automated storage and retrieval systems are able to retrieve multiple items and bring them to the operator in one ‘trip’, increasing order accuracy and efficiency in addition to reducing labor costs.

Types of Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems

There are a variety of technologies that fall into the category of AS/RS, but they all share similar properties. Most AS/RS utilize densely-stacked racks to store products, and the retrieval equipment integrates with a warehouse management system (WMS) to find and retrieve the products from the racks. There are a variety of automated storage and retrieval systems, usually categorized by the type of picking that they use. Some systems only bring specific products to their operator, while other systems bring bins, totes or even shelves. Here are the most common types of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems:

How are Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems Used?

Common Applications

GTP Picking: Most commonly automated storage and retrieval systems are used in goods-to-person environments to reduce the need for operators to manually find and retrieve product. GTP environments are designed so the operator remains at one workstation while the products are brought to them. AS/RS, controlled by the WMS or by the operator, are able to quickly find and retrieve products for operators, even from complex storage facilities.

Buffer Storage: Automated storage and retrieval systems are used as buffer storage, meaning they’re used to store individual products, partially packed shipping orders, completed orders, or parts until they’re ready to be shipped or to move to the next part of the process. This allows for continuous order fulfillment, even when operators aren’t able to ship products or complete assembly from start to finish.

Secure/Controlled Storage Environment: Automated storage and retrieval systems are often used for sensitive material that needs to be stored securely, or needs to be stored under specific circumstances. Because they utilize vertical space, AS/RS are able to store inventory securely and out of reach with safeguards on the WMS. The environments inside closed storage units like VLMs or vertical carousels are also able to be closely controlled and monitored for factors like humidity or temperature, making them ideal for a variety of uses, like the pharmaceutical industry.

Common Industries

Some form of automated storage and retrieval systems are used in most industries. Some of the most common industries where AS/RS is used are:

• Automotive
• Chemical
• eCommerce and Retail
• Manufacturing
• Mechanics & Parts
• Pharmaceutical
• Third-Party Logistics
• Warehouse and Distribution