Organization and efficiency are the cornerstones to running a warehouse like a finely tuned, well-oiled machine. To achieve this, you really don't need a heck of a lot of technology or other fancy gizmos — merely a few good men and women to keep things sailing smoothly…not. A rising number of warehouse efficiencies are being gleaned through a spate of new innovative ideas and devices that will most likely eliminate more manual jobs. It's a future glimpse into the warehouse of the future.

For instance, material flow solutions provider HK Systems is selling automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which are robotic transporters, working under the direction of a Windows-based control system, that automatically move materials. The company offers a complete line of AGVs to handle different working environments and boasts more than 2,000 AGV installs across a slew of industries.

Handheld solutions provider Intermec is spearheading a "Forklift of the Future Initiative" that involves three other partners in crime: Cisco, RedPrairie and forklift maker Cascade Corp. A concept forklift incorporating these company's ideas was on display recently at RFID World in Dallas, Texas. The forklift is powered by Cisco's Wireless Location Appliance and RedPrarie's open Mobile Resource Management software integrated with the forklift RFID-reading system developed by Intermec and Cascade. With the complete system, drivers conveniently can read and encode RFID tags without leaving the vehicle, and managers can get real-time data on vehicle locations and activity that can be used to manage labor and assets more efficiently. Nice.

Also, a recent article from Modern Materials Handling offers a glimpse at the warehouse of the future, pointing out that traditional supply chain execution and logistics companies are beginning to hone their skills in manufacturing. The article notes that RedPrairie's recent acquisition of Alta A/S, a provider of just-in-time, just-in-sequence functionality for the delivery of raw materials, parts and components into build-to-order manufacturing facilities, "may not represent full-blown MES functionality, but it's a step in that direction."

In the same article, Tom Kozenski, RedPrairie's product marketing leader for warehousing products, says he views the acquisition as a natural fit, given the company's strong background in automation control systems and WMS solutions for CPG, food and beverage manufacturers. "We are looking at manufacturing. Some of our competitors are taking a different approach with planning and scheduling," Kozenski says.

Both HighJump Software and Apriso have integrated MES functionality into their suites of supply chain execution products. The idea is to optimize the flow of goods across the supply chain, from raw-materials suppliers into the plant on through the delivery of finished goods from the distribution center to an end customer.

ClearOrbit is taking a third approach to MES, creating modules that fill the functionality gaps in an ERP system. ClearOrbit has a history in the WMS space but has recently targeted manufacturing with a component verification and assembly automation module. The module is designed to capture information and verify in real time that workers have completed steps in the process.

Is this how you envision the warehouse of the future?