The ideal warehouse: Improvements in technology to come

Warehousing has undergone a fundamental transformation over the past thirty years. From a time when the fork lift truck was the most intricate piece of warehousing equipment, today's computer hardware and software now allow the construction of completely automated complexes. The technology which makes this state of affairs possible can bring key benefits such as reduced inventory, increased management control, greater accuracy and better labour efficiency, though at the same time costs incurred should be justifiable. This article attempts to give some guidelines for decisions in each of these areas.