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Intelligent Warehouse Management Solution with Barcode Scanning
Businesses are turning to intelligent warehouse management to vastly improve efficiencies by leveraging automation. Computer vision technology empowers many businesses to track goods with proven-reliable barcode labels. But, what are some considerations to get started with barcode-based intelligent warehouse management?
How a Modern Intelligent Warehouse Works
To move beyond manual tracking, a modern intelligent warehouse can leverage an automated guided vehicle (AGV), a mobile robot, or drone equipped with cameras to track inventory in real time.
An AGV is a portable robot guided by markers, wires, magnets, and/or lasers used to keep it on the track where needed. Compared to other solutions, using an AGV can take more time and money. Designing the track for movement and establishing corresponding infrastructures is costly.
A mobile robot is commonly equipped with sensors and, thus, is more intelligent than an AGV. The sensors can auto-detect an environment and find appropriate paths on their own, much like the concept behind self-driving cars.
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is being used for warehouse management to track inventory. A drone user can make easy work of hovering over inventory and capturing multiple barcodes simultaneously. It can literally be used as a flying barcode scanner. It is possible for businesses to construct an economical barcode scanning solution based on a drone. It can be developed with a Raspberry Pi computer and a high-resolution camera.
Integrating industrial cameras with drones, robots, and AGVs equipped with barcode readers is a transformative advancement in Intelligent Warehouse Management. In the bustling environments of retail and logistics centers, many Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) navigate the floors.
The concept of “Sensor Fusion” comes into play as these vehicles share data through cameras, sensors, and processors, fostering convergence in functionalities. For instance, forklifts conduct inventory scans, and cleaning robots search for out-of-stock. Drones play a multifaceted role, providing security, yard management, and conducting inventory location scans.
This amalgamation of technologies is just the beginning, as these systems are poised to integrate data from various sources, including fixed cameras. The evolution extends beyond mere scanning, with AMRs transitioning to execute automated picking and shelf stocking, marking a paradigm shift in warehouse automation and efficiency.
Inventory Tracking Efficiency
Traditionally barcodes are scanned one at a time. Now, you can capture multiple barcode images using industrial cameras. To maximize inventory tracking efficiency, your chosen machine should track as many goods as possible within a given time unit.
The distance between machines and pallet racks influences the camera viewport and the image quality. While it may be tempting to sacrifice image quality to get the utmost number of barcodes scanned simultaneously, this is not recommended. To maximize speed, reliability, and accuracy, image quality must not be sacrificed.
Why Use Computer Vision in Warehouse Management
Smart machines armed with computer vision technology can accurately capture and recognize barcode labels for stock management. Computer vision technology can transform a smart machine into a powerful barcode scanner that can deliver accurate results, and be more reliable than the human eye. Businesses can store and analyze inventory data for more efficient logistics management.
These solutions make it so most of the heavy work is done by machines, allowing employees to spend better time operating computers to scan barcodes and leveraging inventory reports instead of manual inventory tracking.
Dynamsoft Barcode Reader for Robust Warehouse Management
Just about every warehouse management scenario needs an enterprise-grade solution because of the nature of their complex environments. Dynamsoft Barcode Reader is designed to work elegantly with high-quality and lower-quality barcodes. Lower-quality barcodes include overexposed, distorted, tiny, damaged, blurred, and other difficult barcode scenarios.
Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK is extremely flexible, allowing developers to customize algorithm parameters to fit specific use cases. In a nutshell, with the Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK, you can create a unique barcode algorithm yourself.
- Universal for Any Developer - Dynamsoft Barcode Reader covers all mainstream desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS and Raspberry Pi. It supports a variety of programming languages and frameworks, such as C/C++, Java, Python, C#, PHP, JavaScript, Cordova, Xamarin and React Native.
- Born for Multiple Barcodes - Dynamsoft designs innovative algorithms for processing multiple barcodes. It can track, locate and decode lots of barcodes simultaneously with proven enterprise-grade speed.
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Multi-Frame Processing Algorithm for Best Results - Image quality is always affected by environmental factors, but also by application factors, such as exposure, brightness, white balance and focus. If the barcode scanner you use only takes one-shot, it may not be the best result.
Dynamsoft uses a multi-frame processing algorithm to solve the problem. It uses either a video mode or burst shot mode that captures many frames. Then, the Dynamsoft Barcode Reader can return the best outcome by combining segmented barcode results. In addition, Dynamsoft provides a panorama API to stitch multiple frames.
You can learn more about Dynamsoft’s Barcode Reader SDK and get technical specifications online. Additionally, you can also take advantage of a 30-day free trial. If you need to discuss your application needs, you can also contact Dynamsoft.