ASRS and AMRs

An ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) is a warehouse automation system made up of high-density storage racks and automated cranes or shuttles that store and retrieve inventory without manual intervention. It is used for totes, cartons, and pallet loads to maximise storage space, improve retrieval speed, and increase inventory accuracy. BCI's WMS integrates with ASRS to manage storage and retrieval tasks based on real-time inventory and order priorities.

An AMR is a self-navigating robotic vehicle that moves materials, parts, or finished goods through a facility without fixed tracks or wires. AMRs use onboard sensors and mapping technology to navigate around obstacles and respond to dynamic environments. In warehouses, they are used to transport picked goods, replenish pick stations, or move materials between production zones. BCI's WMS provides the task assignment and coordination layer for AMR deployments, ensuring robots are dispatched efficiently alongside human workers.

BCI's WMS acts as the coordination layer — sending storage, retrieval, and transport tasks to the ASRS and AMR systems based on live inventory data, order priorities, and optimised picking sequences. The WMS tracks what has been completed by the automation, updates inventory records in real time, and manages exceptions when automated tasks cannot be completed. This integration means ASRS and AMRs are not standalone systems but an extension of the warehouse's data-driven operations.

Yes. Automated storage and retrieval eliminates the picking and putaway errors that occur with manual processes. Every movement is system-directed and system-confirmed, creating a reliable audit trail. BCI's WMS also supports cycle counting and inventory reconciliation workflows alongside ASRS/AMR operations, maintaining near-100% inventory accuracy even in high-velocity facilities.

Yes. In regulated manufacturing, system-directed and fully traceable material movement is a compliance advantage. ASRS and AMR deployments managed through BCI's WMS produce complete movement logs, audit trails, and configurable analytics — supporting GxP compliance documentation in pharmaceutical and life sciences environments.

BCI's WMS is designed with modular scalability and integration flexibility. ASRS and AMR systems can be added incrementally — for example, deploying an AMR fleet alongside existing manual operations before expanding automation further. The WMS manages both automated and manual tasks in a unified system, so the transition does not require a wholesale change to existing processes.

ASRS maximises warehouse storage by using high-density storage configurations and automated retrieval, allowing more inventory to be stored in a smaller footprint.

Yes. ASRS works with the Warehouse Management System (WMS) to follow inventory rules such as FIFO (First In, First Out), FEFO (First Expired, First Out), and other predefined storage and retrieval strategies.

An AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) follows fixed paths using guides or markers, while an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) navigates dynamically using sensors and maps, allowing it to adapt to changing environments.

AMRs can transport a variety of materials, including totes, cartons, bins, pallets, and other loads, depending on the application and robot configuration.

Yes. AMRs use onboard sensors and navigation technology to detect obstacles and safely navigate around them in real time.