Automated solutions are a familiar sight in the majority of refrigerated and frozen food warehouses. Most companies, such as those in the ice cream market, have installed automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to rapidly move products to and from storage. This optimizes the movement of goods, and saves warehouse staff from the need to brave the cold and move through aisles retrieving products.
However, an AS/RS does not eliminate people from the picture. Normally, these systems will transport goods to a temperature-controlled environment for manual picking and order fulfillment by warehouse staff. While the temperatures in these picking areas are slightly more tolerable, employees still need to bundle up and work in cumbersome conditions.