Oh boy, it's been quite a day today. I had a feeling something would go wrong when I got to work this morning. Like something was just waiting to break..
Let me tell you: Something BROKE.. Big time..!
Where I work. we use something called an autostore, which is an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that uses the power of warehouse robots for 24/7 order fulfillment within a cubic layout. You can build it into a square, a star or even a circle.
The autostore at my job is a square layout.
Connected to the layout is a gate, where bins with items comes down. I pick what the screen displays, and happy days.
This video shows how the autostore works
It's extremely clever, since it's 99% automated. The only human input is by the gates, or by the control panel located somewhere on site. Where I work, the control panel is located on the right side of the autostore. My warehouse- and logistics manager was on site today, which he always is at the end of each month. He likes to go around to all of the employees to hear how we are, if there is something bothering us, or if there is something he can do better. He's very hands-on, which I love. He's quite literally the perfect manager.
At about 9:25, the autostore stopped distributing tasks. That's not a good thing for a warehouse that serves a few hundred car mechanics and shops. Tasks kept queuing up, but nothing registered in the autostore. Soon after, we got word that the main warehouse across the country, also experienced the same thing. That meant that the entire supply chain for the entire country was crippled. The logistics manager then had to get on the phone to Norway, since autostore is a Norwegian invention, to hear what the timeline would be, and if we ever were going to get back online again today. "We'll be up in a few minutes", was the reply. 20 minutes later, still nothing, so my boss put me on another task. 5 minutes later, we were back in business, at which point, 150 orders were released - at once. Three gates were in use, as well as three on manual pick, since we also have a manual warehouse part.
20 minutes later, we were back to normal - but it was 20 minutes of hectic activity, lots of noises, yelling, screaming AND shouting, as well as people getting in the way of everyone else, drivers being VERY impatient and just general chaos.
But here's the thing: I loved it! I loved every minute of it! To be in a rush, getting your heart rate up.. Oh yes! Usually it's pretty slow, so whenever I get the chance to really show what I can do? Damn right I will take advantage of that and show them just how fast I can pick and sort items.
I don't mean to brag, but by the time one of my coworkers has picked one order, I am on my 4th. He's old and slow, granted, but still..
Though, it's nice to have a slow days as well. Just not too many of them.
It'll get boring very quickly..
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