Evolving Wireless Technologies are Bringing Greater Operational Efficiency to the Warehouse

Modern warehouse networks face countless challenges on an almost daily basis. From issues with poor coverage and signal dead zones to ongoing connectivity interference and device connection problems, all these obstacles can have a catastrophic effect on your ability to hit your KPIs.

Thankfully, wireless technologies are constantly evolving to improve their bandwidth, stability and security protocols. While adapting to the ever-changing demands of the business landscape.

For the warehouse, these innovations help nurture a more connected fulfilment operation, improving collaboration within the four walls. Opening the door for far greater visibility into operational performance and leveraging opportunities to use that data to seek deeper operational efficiencies and ROI.

Additionally, there are also new evolving wireless technologies that are supported by recent innovations in wireless connectivity. These work together to not only enhance existing operations in the warehouse, but also to support new approaches and workflows that offer a considerable competitive edge in the market. Empowering your workforce and driving efficiency in your warehouse operations.

Multi-Access Converged Networks

A converged network is unique in that it combines multiple networks into one single unified infrastructure. Examples include Local Area Networks (LANs) and Storage Area Networks (SANs). These often combine wired, wireless and IoT technologies into one converged solution for strong and reliable connectivity across devices, applications and even different locations.

This not only significantly simplifies the internal management of a network. It also greatly reduces the costs that are usually spent on deploying and maintaining multiple networks to achieve the same effect.

Therefore, relieving the burden on your IT teams as well as enhancing performance. As converged networks are better designed to support higher levels of demand than traditional networks. Thus, keeping up with the increasing need for fast network speeds. They are also easily scaled with your operations, as they can be seamlessly expanded or modified.

Warehouse Applications for Multi-Access Converged Networks

Utilising converged networks means you can use a single interface to transmit data, internet protocol communications, as well as traditional phone services and advanced services such as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Then there are various processes which are dependent on strong connectivity in the warehouse. These include connected forklifts, warehouse tablets, handheld scanners, worker safety systems and voice-directed technology. But it’s not just about supporting these types of processes.

In the warehouse, conditions can change rapidly. So it’s essential to have that in-built flexibility that allows you to be responsive in your operations. Reliable wireless connectivity enables your workforce to better collaborate and direct operations with complete real-time visibility over them. Moreover, all of these are covered by the improved security offered by a unified network which can be more effectively secured.

Thread Networking Protocol

Commonly also referred to as a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), this networking protocol is designed for low-power IoT devices. This can also be covered by a converged network.

This specialised protocol offers a variety of benefits for enhancing the digital devices your company uses within the warehouse. Keeping your workforce connected with 24/7 access to inventory databases and order management systems. As well as providing effective workflows for shopfloor workers and clear inventory and operations tracking for management.

How then can WPAN make a difference for your devices? WPAN offers faster network speeds with fewer points of failure, uses less power and improves communication between devices. Moreover, even if your internet goes down, your WPAN will continue to function. As it is a local network that is self-configuring, self-healing and even self-managing.

This makes your devices far more reliable, reduces operating costs and increases security with authentication for devices and encrypted communications.

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7, which arrived in January of this year, is unique from previous wireless standards in that it offers a multi-link operation. So that Access Points (APs) can drive multiple channels and bands. Hence various streams are all simultaneously readily available, which hugely increases capacity and reduces signal dropouts.

It is estimated to be up to four times faster with five times the network capacity of its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6. In addition to ensuring less interference and better security support. So that regardless of how many devices are connected, or how far you are from an AP, you have speedy connectivity.

This also enables you to transfer data across your network at greater speeds. In the warehouse, real-time communication and data access are vital to operations. Not only for coordinating tasks and workflows, but also for quickly responding to any unexpected changes. This increased data transmission also means any cloud-based processes will be quicker and capable of supporting greater demand.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Now, more and more businesses find themselves considering AI for a range of different applications. But how does AI specifically fit into this ever-growing mix of new wireless technologies?

AI-powered network management has developed further and further in recent years and can now be used even to seamlessly manage converged networks. It has also become an increasingly affordable choice. As the training costs of purpose-built AI models only continue to decrease as its power and efficiency improves.

AI solutions relieve the burden of network management on your IT teams, thus freeing up their capacity for higher priority projects. It simplifies processes for efficient optimisation, monitors and sends alerts about any changes or potential issues and continues to improve performance as it learns.

Evolving wireless technologies for your warehouse operations…

There are a range of evolving wireless technologies out there. But ultimately what is most important is what meets your business’s needs. Each business’s operations are unique, and this applies just as much to your wireless networks and management of your IoT devices.

This is why at Renovotec, we recommend starting your wireless refresh journey with a wireless site survey. We take an in-depth review of your current network, the effectiveness of your current coverage and any blackspots or problems that are causing extended downtime. So that you have a wireless solution tailored to your infrastructure.

Contact us and book your FREE wireless survey from Renovotec today and find out how you can enhance your operations with better wireless connectivity.