The automation system is specially tailored to the requirements of retailers with high throughput rates: On the one hand, it assembles orders fully automatically within a maximum of one hour. Secondly, its compact design means it only requires a good 900 square meters and can therefore be installed in urban areas directly at the back of a retail store or as a separate urban fulfillment center.

Proximity to the end consumer or their pick-up station ensures shorter distances and thus reduces delivery times. This not only means that customers receive their ordered items faster, but also increases the profitability of online orders for companies.

The micro-fulfillment systems consist of the Dematic Multishuttle and goods-to-person picking solutions as well as the Dematic iQ software. © Dematic

The micro-fulfilment systems are made up of technologies such as the Dematic Multishuttle and goods-to-person picking solutions as well as specially tailored Dematic iQ software. Dematic is already installing the first system at the US retailer Meijer, which operates around 250 supermarkets and almost as many petrol stations.

The food and retail sectors as well as large department stores and the consumer electronics, sports and clothing industries can all benefit from the new system. It automatically compiles even large orders within a maximum of one hour. It also substitutes order processing in distribution centers, most of which are located outside cities and therefore further away from customers than brick-and-mortar stores.

Instead, customers can now either collect their ordered goods from the store or have them delivered to their home after a short time. This simplifies omni-channel sales and makes e-commerce order processing more profitable for companies.

The micro-fulfillment solution can be adapted to different temperature zones, especially for the food trade. © Dematic

Different temperature zones possible
The micro-fulfillment solution can be adapted to different temperature zones, especially for the food trade. The system can also be used to store and pick frozen products. The Dematic Multishuttle 2 Freezer, for example, is used for this purpose. In addition to the automation systems, the Dematic iQ software is also part of the micro-fulfillment solution.

A special version not only enables full data control across all stores, fulfillment and distribution centers, but can also be seamlessly integrated into existing merchandise management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. This ensures software-based networking across all locations.

The first installation of the new solution has already started: Dematic is currently setting up a micro-fulfillment system at the US retailer Meijer. Sid Handa, Director of Strategic Supply Chain Initiatives at Meijer, explains: "With the new Dematic system, we are equipped for the future. It allows us to make maximum use of the available space in our stores and thus expand our online shopping to meet the personal shopping preferences of our customers." The intralogistics specialist needs around twelve weeks to install the micro-fulfilment solution. as