We've installed Agilon and it's made me a very happy MD

Martyn Cleaver, Managing Director, Forward Industrial Products Group Ltd

Published originally as a LinkedIn article, October 24th, 2017

It makes my head spin how quickly technology changes our industry. Everything is more digital, sophisticated, and automated. Why does it feel like warehouses have stood still? Workers still go about the place like soldier ants, scurrying to and from rows of stock stacked high to the ceiling, climbing ladders to grab the required stock. There is too much inaccurate or out-of-date stock information. It makes stock control and ordering a headache.

And then, I discovered a solution: the Agilon® Solution by Konecranes. I was sceptical when it claimed to solve all my problems. But as you can probably tell by the title, it’s blown all my expectations out of the water—so much so that we have two units installed permanently.

Why does Agilon stand out?

The easiest way to explain Agilon is to say it’s a giant vending machine for your warehouse, though that doesn’t do it justice. Rather than rows and rows of stock piled high, only accessible by ladder, Agilon gives you access to a hatch and a touchscreen. If you need a part or a tool, log in with your fingerprint and use the touchscreen to place your order. The item is delivered directly to you through the hatch a few seconds later.

Here’s how it works:

• Log in with a fingerprint or PIN.
• Use the touchscreen to select the item you need.
• The robotic arm retrieves and delivers it directly through a hatch within seconds.

Simple, efficient, and incredibly reliable!

Solving common warehouse challenges 

Agilon has eradicated all of these challenges:

1. Unreliable stock data
   Forget manual inventory checks—Agilon automatically tracks and updates stock levels in real-time. I even tested it late at night, and it worked flawlessly. You can access this data wirelessly, anytime, anywhere.
2. Disorganisation
   Behind its sleek interface, Agilon securely stores all stock. Its robotic arm ensures you always get what you need, while the system logs every withdrawal and provides real-time inventory updates.
3. Stock ordering made easy.
   Low on supplies? Agilon can automatically reorder stock from suppliers, eliminating human error and ensuring you’re always prepared. If robots ever take over, they will have earned it.