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In intralogistics, the term "retrofit" refers to the modernization of machines, equipment, and software systems. It is a cost-effective alternative to buying new, ensures sustainable operation, and goes hand in hand with increased system efficiency. But what exactly does it mean when a software system in a warehouse is modernized? What impacts on ongoing operation can be expected?

Successful fulfillment has become a multidimensional and complex service within the supply chain. Automated, highly dynamic warehouses in particular require sophisticated order fulfillment software solutions: such as those offered by the WAMAS Warehouse Control System (WCS). Modern WCS systems are the first choice in automated warehouses across all industries. They connect both people and performance modules and help align order fulfillment efficiently.

Hackers often sneak unnoticed into companies’ IT infrastructure. One popular method is to gain access through phishing emails or exploit security vulnerabilities and then access not only the company’s IT systems, but also connected systems.

Every last inch of space in your warehouse is taken – so what do you do now? Looking for a bigger building is one option, but it’s not the only one. Perhaps you could use your space even more efficiently? This may take a lot of time, effort, and planning, but with the right partner by your side you can maximize the potential of the space already available to you.

Expectations of logistics continue to grow, and the ability to respond consistently requires a high degree of agility and flexibility. Affordable plug & play solutions serve as the basis for easy integration into existing processes, and diverse expansion options ensure a high degree of flexibility, even for dynamic requirements in connection with ongoing expansion. SSI SCHAEFER is a family-run intralogistics specialist with a long history anchored in the SME sector, offering modularly combinable, scalable and reliable logistics systems in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

When planning a new logistics building – and for retrofits too – green building and sustainability factors gain in importance. SSI SCHAEFER offers several green solutions. Moreover, the company offers further services from energy consulting and planning, certification and monitoring, and subsidy consulting. Johannes Zimmermann, Director Construction Management at SSI SCHAEFER, provides deeper insights in the following interview.

How volume reduction helps to reduce CO₂ emissions and what returnable container options SSI SCHAEFER provides.

Learn more about how SSI SCHAEFER increases efficiency in manual or semi-automated processes with our AGV portfolio.

One Step Ahead for Permanent Availability.

The e-commerce sector continues to grow exponentially and promises rapidly increasing sales. However, at the same time, the number of returns is constantly rising, which puts a strain on margins. The fashion industry suffers from this development, as it wants its products to be available for the customer as quickly as possible to prevent loss of value in the seasonal business. Automation is an effective solution of meeting this ideal.

Everybody is talking about climate protection. Discussed in-depth in society and linked to global campaigns, the topic of sustainability is also increasingly becoming a decisive criterion in logistics to ensure whether the offered solutions are viable. This is nothing new for SSI SCHAEFER as the topic corresponds to the long-term view on Green Logistics that was firmly engrained at an early stage. This is part of our Think Tomorrow. philosophy according to which we plan logistics solutions that are tailored to our customers’ needs and continually optimized with a view towards long-term criteria - this is the basis of our success.

A new compact “C” assembly group is now available, completing the range of proven SSI Exyz storage-retrieval machines from SSI SCHAEFER. SSI Exyz C automates the pallet rack processes in existing buildings in heights of up to 13.5 m. Without any need to upgrade floor slabs or perform extensive modifications - implementation during ongoing operation is also possible. Learn more about the energy-efficient solution.

In the area of Integrator Business Automation, SSI SCHAEFER applies a product-based approach to supplying the market. Our day-to-day business involves delivering intralogistics components to a general contractor. How this business sector works and the role that SSI SCHAEFER plays is explained by Arnold Lanz, Vice President of Hub Development & Integrator Business Automation.

The everyday role of e-commerce in retail, wholesale, and fashion industries, becomes also more important for pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies with the growth of online pharmacies. Increased consumer health awareness, coupled with self-medication trends, is leading to higher online demand for over-the-counter products and beauty and care orders.

Interview with Dr. Armin Vogel: how sustainable plastic containers are produced and used in logistics over the long term.

Een activiteit wordt efficiënt en effectief uitgevoerd als deze gemakkelijk verloopt en duidelijke processen volgt. Om aan deze eisen te voldoen, implementeren we als onderdeel van het programma ergonomics@work!® speciale orderverzamelstations die zijn ontworpen om werknemers te motiveren, topprestaties te bevorderen en de ergonomie op de werkplek aanzienlijk te verbeteren. Bewegingen zoals tillen en dragen worden ondersteund door ergonomisch trekken en duwen. Dit betekent optimalisatie van werkstromen en werkhoogtes. Het doel is om "prettige werkstations" te creëren met intuïtieve gebruikersbegeleiding door middel van intelligente communicatie- en displaysystemen. De oplossingen worden specifiek afgestemd op de behoeften van de klant.

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) simply a buzzword or is there more to it? How we plan to start leveraging AI in our projects.

Freshness, timeliness, and service quality are the challenges of the food retailing industry in the classic, stationary retail trade. Due to the changing consumption patterns and the online boom in the food retail industry, new logistics challenges arise, which can only be met with state-of-the-art software.

Fully automatic concepts that are integrated seamlessly into intralogistics processes, provide the ideal basis for tailor-made, gentle and reliable product handling. For this purpose, SSI SCHAEFER offers tailor-made, modular solutions for robot-supported palletizing and picking as well as high-performance robotics applications for single-piece picking in the warehouse.

Intralogistics systems are becoming larger and larger and increasingly complex. Today’s computing power of a modern warehouse IT infrastructure is breaking new ground in terms of size and complexity, thus reaching dimensions that would have been unimaginable just a couple of years ago. In the following article Markus Klug, Team Leader Data Analysis & Simulation, explains how SSI SCHAEFER enables sustainable logistics with and through IT.

No matter whether it is due to rapid growth, supply bottlenecks or absence of employees – the importance of flexibility in small parts storage becomes apparent in cases of unforeseen events. How do you ensure delivery capacity, even in dynamic times? If automation is the solution, what measures can be implemented in a small parts warehouse with only minor investment? How flexible and scalable are these systems?

In the following interview, Elie Zita provides an overview of how digitalization has revolutionized customer service, guaranteeing maximized system availability and sustainability as a result of customized, predictive maintenance.