Receiving, put-away, and shipping
Barcode and QR scanning on handheld terminals or smartphones, bin locations, put-away suggestions, and stock levels updated in the ERP automatically.
Warehouse, manufacturing, purchasing
Warehouse and Manufacturing Automation
Join.To.IT automates warehouse and production work for companies that track stock, orders, and production jobs in their ERP and in Excel. We connect the warehouse, the shop floor, and purchasing to the ERP so nobody moves data by hand. We start with an audit, run the first pilot in 4–8 weeks, and expand in phases.
- Built around the ERP you already run
- A pilot on one area in 4–8 weeks
- Automated in parts, without stopping the warehouse
- 01 Warehouse and production audit
- 02 Pilot on one area
- 03 Rollout to other processes
- 04 Support and improvement
Stock in the system should match stock on the shelf
In many companies the warehouse runs separately from the ERP. A picker works from a printed list, and someone enters the shipment into the ERP later. The production supervisor keeps the schedule in a personal spreadsheet, and purchasing learns about a material shortage when the line has already stopped.
Each of these gaps costs money: mis-picks, excess stock, rush orders at higher prices, downtime. Every cycle count shows discrepancies, and nobody can say where they came from.
Fixing this rarely requires a new ERP or an expensive turnkey WMS. Often it is enough to add barcode scanning, a mobile app for warehouse staff, and data exchange with the ERP. You can start with one area, such as receiving, and move on once you see the result.
Warehouse, manufacturing, and purchasing automation: what we do
Each area can be automated on its own or as part of a wider project. We pick what will pay back fastest in your operation.
Order picking
Optimized pick routes, scan verification of every line, and labels and shipping documents from UPS, FedEx, DHL, or ShipStation without re-entering data.
WMS built around your warehouse
If a packaged WMS does not fit or costs too much, we extend your ERP’s warehouse module or build a lightweight WMS that exchanges data with the ERP.
Production planning and tracking
Production orders based on material stock and capacity, output tracked by shift and operation, and actual product cost instead of a spreadsheet estimate.
MES and machine data
Data collection from machines and lines, downtime and scrap tracking, and a dashboard for the shop floor supervisor. We start with one line to see which data is actually useful.
Purchasing automation
Demand calculated from the production plan and reorder points, purchase orders to suppliers, one-click approvals, and delivery date tracking.
How we work
Each stage ends with a result you can assess before approving the next one.
- 01
Process audit
We walk the path of goods from receiving to shipping and of materials to finished product with the people who do the work, and note where time and errors appear. Usually 1–2 weeks.
Outcome A process map and a list of areas ranked by expected effect
- 02
Pilot on one process
We automate one area, such as receiving or picking, and run it alongside the old way until the numbers confirm the result. Usually 4–8 weeks.
Outcome A working process and measured time savings or error reduction
- 03
Rollout
We extend the approach to other areas and sites in the agreed order, reusing the integrations already built, and train staff on site. Usually 2–6 months.
Outcome Warehouse, production, and purchasing working from one set of data
- 04
Support
We monitor the ERP and equipment integrations, fix failures, and adjust processes when the product range or production method changes. Billed monthly.
Outcome Automation that keeps working after launch
How much it costs
The price depends on the number of sites and areas, the equipment involved, and the state of the data in your ERP. Warehouse and production projects usually cost a bit more than other automation because of hardware work and on-site training.
| Option | Pilot | One process | End-to-end program |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Audit plus automation of one area: receiving, picking, or production orders | A full warehouse or production process with ERP integration and reporting | Warehouse, production, and purchasing as one system, with support |
| Timeline | 4–8 weeks | 2–4 months | 4–9 months, in phases |
| Good fit when | You want to test the approach before a larger budget | One area clearly causes the most losses | Automation is part of a wider operations plan |
| Typical budget | $10,000–$22,000 | $22,000–$60,000 | From $60,000 |
These are indicative ranges and exclude scanners, terminals, and other hardware; you get an exact estimate after the audit. You do not have to automate the whole warehouse or plant at once: start with one area and add the next once the previous one pays back.
Packaged WMS or extending your current system?
A packaged WMS makes sense for a large warehouse with stable processes. For a mid-size warehouse that already runs on an ERP, adding the missing pieces is often the better deal.
| Question | Packaged WMS | Extending around your ERP |
|---|---|---|
| When you see results | After full implementation and training | After the first pilot, in weeks |
| Impact on warehouse work | The whole warehouse switches to a new system | One area changes at a time |
| Budget | Licences and implementation paid up front | Approved stage by stage |
| Flexibility | Processes adapt to the system | The system adapts to your processes |
Systems and equipment we work with
We connect through APIs, file exchange, or direct database access. The final list for your project is agreed after the audit.
- NetSuite
- SAP Business One
- Odoo
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- QuickBooks
- 1C and BAS
- Shopify
- Amazon Seller Central
- ShipStation
- UPS, FedEx, and DHL
- Handheld scanners and mobile computers
- Barcode and label printers
- Industrial equipment (OPC UA, Modbus)
- Excel and Google Sheets
- Power BI
- Slack and Microsoft Teams
Example
What a warehouse pilot can look like
Take a household chemicals manufacturer with a finished goods warehouse that ships 150–200 dealer orders a day. A picker gets a printed list, collects the goods, and an operator enters the shipment into the ERP afterwards. Mis-picks are discovered at the dealer, and the monthly count takes two days.
The pilot covers picking only. An order from the ERP goes to a handheld terminal with a route through the warehouse. The picker scans every line, the system will not close an order with an error, and the shipment and shipping label are created automatically. Everything else stays as it is for now.
Frequently asked questions
How much does warehouse automation cost?
A pilot on one area, such as order picking, usually costs $10,000–$22,000 and takes 4–8 weeks. A full warehouse process with ERP integration is typically $22,000–$60,000. A combined warehouse, production, and purchasing program starts around $60,000. The main cost drivers are the number of sites, the equipment, and the state of your data. We give an exact estimate after the audit.
What is a WMS, and do we need one if we have an ERP?
A WMS is a warehouse management system: bin locations, pick routes, scanning, and control of every operation. An ERP keeps the books but does not direct people on the floor. For a smaller warehouse, a mobile scanning app that exchanges data with the ERP is often enough. A separate WMS pays off with several sites, a large product range, and costly picking errors.
What is an MES, and when should we implement one?
An MES is a manufacturing execution system for the shop floor: production orders, output tracking, downtime, scrap, and machine data. It makes sense when actual output does not match the plan and you do not know why. A full MES is a large project, so we suggest starting with one line: collect the data, see the real losses, and then decide whether to expand.
Can manufacturing be automated partially?
Yes, and that is usually the right approach. You can automate only output tracking, only material requirements, or only one line. Each stage is approved and paid for separately, and the next one starts when the previous one delivers. You do not risk the whole budget at once and do not stop the plant during the switch.
How do you automate purchasing in manufacturing?
Start by linking purchasing to the production plan and stock levels. The system then calculates material requirements, proposes purchase orders, and sends them for approval. You see what is already on order, when it will arrive, and whether it covers the plan. This is usually built on top of your ERP without replacing it.
How long does manufacturing process automation take?
The audit takes 1–2 weeks. A pilot on one warehouse or production area takes 4–8 weeks, including a period when the new process runs alongside the old one. Full automation of warehouse, production, and purchasing takes 4–9 months and is split into stages, each ending with a working result rather than only documentation.