ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION, PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY CHAIN
Optoro | March 13, 2023
Optoro, the market leader in retail returns and reverse logistics technology, and Locus Robotics, another leading player in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for distribution centers and fulfillment warehouses, have recently entered into a partnership to deliver an automated software and robotics solution for handling high volumes of retail ecommerce returns.
The leading robotics automation system of Locus allows seamless up and down scaling in response to fluctuations in demand, enabling operators to speed up returns processing, minimize restocking issues, and reduce personnel expenses. The Locus system offers high-volume, round-the-clock operations in both single-level and multi-level mezzanine settings, and it automates a huge amount of e-commerce.
Growing e-commerce inevitably leads to a rise in returns as customers increase their purchases. In 2022, US retail sales brought in $816 billion, and e-commerce sales brought in $212 billion. Both of these numbers were up more than 100% from 2019. Reverse logistics encompasses a wide range of functions, including returns management, warehousing, sales, logistics, finance, recycling management, disposal of end-of-life products and environmental compliance, as products are returned, refurbished, repaired and recycled.
Amena Ali, Chief Executive Officer at Optoro, remarked, “Partnering with Locus enables us to deliver a proven robotics automation solution that is well positioned to meet the high throughput demands of today’s return centers.” She further added, “Together, we can help retailers move inventory faster and more efficiently through the supply chain, cut costs, minimize their environmental impact, and improve the customer experience.”
(Source – GlobeNewswire)
Al Dekin, Chief Revenue Officer at Locus Robotics, stated, "Returns and reverse logistics have historically been high-volume, high-cost functions that are typically quite complicated. We believe our partnership with Optoro will provide 3PLs, retailers, warehouse operators, and others a repeatable, efficient, and proven solution.”
(Source – GlobeNewswire)
About Optoro
Founded in 2010, and headquartered in Washington, Optoro is the leader in returns technology for retailers and brands. With the help of data science, it automates decisions in real-time to make the returns process better for customers, businesses, and the environment. It connects a simple online returns portal to the warehouse's processing and resale software, offering robust solutions to improve results at every step of the returns process. Major retailers and brands like American Eagle, Best Buy, Staples, and IKEA rely on Optoro's technology to turn returns into a strategic advantage and facilitate sustainability efforts throughout the supply chain.
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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION
SVT Robotics | March 17, 2023
SVT Robotics, a leading enterprise software provider for the rapid integration of industrial robotics, and Kardex Solutions, a leading Global Business Partner of AutoStore™ and intralogistics solution provider of automated storage, retrieval, and material handling systems, today announced a strategic partnership. The partnership now enables Kardex Solutions customers to easily deploy and integrate AutoStore systems with additional automation technology by leveraging the power of the SVT Robotics SOFTBOT® Platform.
Building upon its Kardex Control Center WES technology, Kardex Solutions has connected its software to the SOFTBOT Platform to enable a complete end-to-end pick and pack solution. Through this partnership, Kardex Solutions customers can quickly integrate and deploy an AutoStore system and Kardex Control Center with other warehouse functions, such as a WMS.
"Agility is one of the greatest advantages that companies can leverage. When it comes to automation, it's imperative that businesses can quickly deploy supply chain technologies as well as reconfigure them to meet their evolving needs," said A.K. Schultz, CEO of SVT Robotics. "We're excited to partner with Kardex Solutions to offer their customers a simple and effective method for rapid automation adoption."
"By coupling Kardex Control Center with the SOFTBOT Platform, we're able to provide our customers with a true 'easy button' approach to automation," said Mitch Hayes, President of Kardex Solutions. "What we've done is eliminate the complexities around warehouse automation by creating a pathway for AutoStore systems to easily integrate with technologies commonly found in distribution centers. We're proud to offer this complete solution to our customers."
About SVT Robotics
SVT Robotics is an enterprise software company that's revolutionizing robot deployments in the warehousing and manufacturing industries. SVT's tech-agnostic, low-code SOFTBOT Platform enables companies to integrate robots, automation, IoT technology, or human productivity tools for any task in just days or weeks.
About Kardex Solutions
Kardex Solutions is part of the Kardex Group, which is a leading intralogistics solution provider of automated storage, retrieval, and material handling systems and an AutoStore Global Business Partner. The Kardex mission is to provide solutions and services to increase the efficiency in storing and handling of goods and materials on a global scale.
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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY, PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY CHAIN
Ivanti | March 16, 2023
Ivanti Wavelink today announced that it is merging Ivanti Wavelink and Zebra Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in manufacturing and warehouse facilities. Ivanti Wavelink, the supply chain operation unit at Ivanti, and Zebra Technologies Corporation, an inventor at the forefront of its line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, will accelerate the effectiveness of automation. The solution will boost productivity and efficiency while letting workers focus on high-value tasks.
The integration of Ivanti Wavelink's Velocity Voice Direction platform with Zebra's Fetch AMRs will increase automation for businesses that seek to streamline complex material transportation procedures. Zebra AMRs may now be controlled by Velocity apps or voice direction without modifying the host WMS, ERP, or other enterprise systems, making robots easy to integrate into workflows. Robots can reduce manual material handling by 50%, enhancing production, workflow, and safety.
The Velocity platform guides Zebra AMRs through workflows, which adds value to operations for moving and handling goods. Ivanti Neurons for IIoT insights give customers visibility into AMR status, including what task each robot is doing and any delays or disturbances.
James Lawton, General Manager and Vice President of Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies, remarked, "Our customers recognize that automation is key to the future of their operations and are ready to make investments in strategies and solutions that can get them where they need to be quickly."
He added, "Integrating Ivanti Wavelink's Velocity platform with our Fetch AMRs brings the kind of sophistication customers are looking for – in this case, integrating voice commands with AMRs, so work gets done quickly, correctly and without friction."
(Source –Business Wire)
Brandon Black, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Ivanti, stated, "This partnership is another example of how our 'hands off the host app' approach that is a core tenet of the Ivanti Wavelink's Velocity platform can aid in increasing productivity, accuracy, and safety. Because Velocity interfaces with existing enterprise applications without the need to migrate or modify the host application, there is minimal implementation time."
(Source –Business Wire)
About Ivanti
Ivanti discovers, manages, secures, and services IT assets from cloud to edge. It serves over 40,000 customers, including 96 of Fortune 100. It values all perspectives at Ivanti and works toward a more sustainable future for its partners, customers, staff, and the world. Customers choose Ivanti to discover, manage, secure and service their IT assets from cloud to edge to deliver excellent digital employee experiences and improve the IT and security teams' productivity and efficiency.
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