How SHIP8 INC. Uses Automation, Data, and Design to Drive Fulfillment Efficiency
At SHIP8 INC., we believe true productivity in the distribution center goes beyond labor efficiency; it’s about system design that empowers people and machines to work as one.
In most DCs, order picking represents more than half of total operating costs. Improving it requires more than faster hands, it demands smarter workflows, intelligent slotting, and automation that uplifts both people and performance.
With SHIP8’s Geek+ fully automated picking solution, powered by AI-driven robotics, dynamic slotting, and real-time WMS integrations, our facilities have redefined what operational excellence looks like, achieving measurable gains in cost per order, labor utilization, and customer experience.
Here are five levers that consistently raise order-picker productivity and strengthen employee engagement inside a modern, automated SHIP8 facility.
1. Intelligent Slotting Through Data and AI
Every second saved in travel or search time compounds across thousands of orders.
At SHIP8, we use AI-driven SKU velocity mapping integrated with our Geek+ robotics platform to dynamically slot inventory based on order history, volume trends, and real-time demand.
- Fast-moving SKUs are automatically prioritized for optimal robot retrieval.
- Slow-movers are positioned to reduce congestion and balance load.
- Live demand signals recalibrate slotting continuously to prevent bottlenecks.
Result: Up to 25% faster order completion through data-optimized slotting and robot-assisted retrieval (based on internal SHIP8 pilot Q1 2025).
2. Eliminating Travel Waste with Goods-to-Person Automation
In a traditional DC, pickers spend up to 60% of their time walking — time that adds cost without adding value.
SHIP8’s Geek+ goods-to-person automation eliminates that inefficiency entirely.
- Autonomous robots bring totes directly to ergonomic pick stations.
- Operators remain stationary and focused on accuracy, reducing fatigue and repetitive strain.
- The system automatically sequences orders to maintain flow and minimize idle time.
The impact extends beyond throughput; it strengthens workplace sustainability by reducing turnover and training time, and by creating safer, more engaging roles for associates.
Result: Productivity improvements exceeding 2–3× traditional manual picking rates (based on SHIP8 Savannah DC performance data).
3. Pick-Assist Technology That Multiplies Human Performance
Automation doesn’t replace people — it amplifies them.
At SHIP8, our pick-to-light systems, real-time label printing, and RF-directed verification work in harmony with Geek+ automation to minimize cognitive load and eliminate redundant steps.
- Each pick station functions as an integrated ecosystem where verification, label generation, and tote routing all occur automatically.
- Associates can process more lines per hour with less strain, supported by intuitive feedback systems.
Result: Reduced error rates and up to 40% faster pick confirmation, which in turn translates into fewer shipping errors, lower re-work, and a measurable uplift in customer satisfaction.
4. Standardization Through Method Engineering
Even the most advanced systems perform best when built on disciplined, standardized methods.
SHIP8 engineers every process around MPTS principles — Methods, Pace, Time, and Safety — a structured approach that ensures repeatability and efficiency.
- Methods: Documented standard work that aligns every associate.
- Pace: Optimized task timing calibrated through data and ergonomic study.
- Time: Balanced work distribution across human and robotic resources.
- Safety: Ergonomic design that protects workers while maintaining output.
Continuous-improvement cycles and live performance dashboards reinforce that discipline, ensuring stability even as volumes flex.
Result: Consistent, predictable throughput and measurable training ROI. rn translates into fewer shipping errors, lower re-work, and a measurable uplift in customer satisfaction.
5. Real-Time Metrics That Drive Continuous Improvement
Every SHIP8 facility operates on live data visibility.
Our Geek+ systems feed directly into a custom-built WMS and BI environment, tracking metrics such as picks per hour, lines per order, robot utilization, and labor efficiency.
- Supervisors can re-slot SKUs, reassign labor, or adjust sequencing instantly.
- Analysts can detect patterns and apply root-cause corrections in real time.
- Managers can connect productivity data to financial KPIs like cost per order and labor hour optimization.
Result: A self-correcting operation where productivity, accuracy, and flow remain in constant balance; powering both operational and financial gains.
The Future of Order Picking Is Already Here
In today’s fulfillment landscape, productivity isn’t about working harder — it’s about engineering smarter systems that adapt as fast as consumer demand.
With the combination of Geek+ robotics, SHIP8’s proprietary WMS integrations, and lean operational design, our fulfillment centers are built to adapt, learn, and scale — protecting cost efficiency while improving associate engagement and retention.
The result: faster order turnaround, higher accuracy, and lower per-unit costs — all while creating a safer, more rewarding workplace where automation truly elevates people.
About SHIP8 INC.
SHIP8 INC. is a technology-driven 3PL in Savannah, GA and Woodland, CA
Our fully automated distribution centers leverage Geek+ robotics, advanced WMS integrations, and data intelligence to deliver efficient, scalable, and cost-effective fulfillment for global brands.
Led by passionate logistics professionals, SHIP8 INC. is driven by the mission: Automation Elevates People.
From inbound automation to order-picking excellence, SHIP8 combines logistics expertise with innovative engineering to move products — and businesses — forward.
