intralogistics

Intralogistics is the planning, execution, and control of material flow and information within a facility such as a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing site. It covers the internal movement, storage, retrieval, and handling of goods as they progress from receiving to shipping, including inventory management, order picking, packing, and staging.

The discipline combines physical systems and digital control. Internal transport methods include forklift trucks, automated guided vehicles, and conveyors, while storage solutions range from manual shelving to automated storage and retrieval systems. Digital control is provided by warehouse management systems and related software, such as warehouse control systems, integrated with enterprise systems like ERP and transportation management systems. Real-time data capture through barcodes, RFID, sensors, and the Internet of Things supports visibility and optimization.

Key processes encompass receiving, put-away, storage, replenishment, picking, packing, consolidation, and shipping. Data and analytics drive decisions on slotting, routing, and inventory positioning, aiming to minimize handling and errors while maximizing throughput and accuracy. Automation and robotics are increasingly common, including AS/RS, conveyors, sortation, autonomous mobile robots, and robotic picking systems.

Applications span e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment, manufacturing warehouses, cold-chain facilities, and third-party logistics providers. Benefits typically include higher accuracy, faster throughput, improved inventory visibility, better space utilization, and reduced labor costs. Challenges involve initial capital investment, integration with existing ERP or WMS/TMS, interoperability, downtime, and cybersecurity concerns. Trends emphasize scalable and modular automation, AI-driven optimization, digital twins, and increasingly cloud-based, data-driven intralogistics solutions.