The drones piggyback a whole range of measuring instruments for stocktaking, including navigation and data acquisition sensors as well as barcode scanners. They scan the QR and barcodes attached to the outside of the boxes and pallets and transmit the scan and video data to Group7's ERP system via Wi-Fi. "This is unique on the market in this form for narrow-aisle racking," emphasizes Günther Jocher. The implementation was made more difficult by the limited space available to the drone for maneuvering in the narrow-aisle racking. However, the doks.innovation team programmed the helper in such a way that it can now buzz through the aisles autonomously without any problems. There was initially no specific customer order for the technology, which Group7 tested for practical use together with the start-up doks.innovation and the Fraunhofer Institute. For regular operation, however, the logistics specialist acquired a customer who exclusively stored full pallets of paints and printing inks in the narrow aisle of the Frankfurt logistics center. After just a short time, the enormous advantages of an inventory by aerial drone became apparent.

Process optimization for the benefit of customers
"Previously, we had to block off an entire team of employees to count the stock for one customer," reports Günther Jocher. "And even with the greatest care, small errors cannot be avoided in such an extensive manual process." The use of the flying drone, on the other hand, only requires one trained specialist to monitor the take-off and landing of the automated assistant. Another employee is then briefly required in the back office to confirm the successful data transfer. This means personnel and time savings of up to 70 percent. The resources saved as a result can therefore be allocated to other projects. "In addition, the day-to-day business is no longer disrupted by the counting, but can be carried out in sync with it," explains Günther Jocher. "In addition, incorrectly positioned pallets or unused areas are detected more quickly, thereby increasing overall warehouse utilization."

But it is not only the optimized process costs that benefit customers. If desired, they can check the video recordings of their stock made by the drones. The flying helpers also record other information in addition to the pure stock count: Photos of the stored goods serve as proof of damage or reveal any storage risks at an early stage. Sensors for measuring temperature and humidity ensure that any agreed specifications for the storage of goods are adhered to. Group7 ensures that these storage conditions are maintained in both summer and winter by providing the right climate control in its facilities.

The logistics service provider sees making this proof traceable for customers at all times as a service plus. "With this drone technology, we offer our customers maximum transparency as well as time and cost savings. It is an essential part of our philosophy to recognize such potential through new technologies and to actively approach our customers," reports Günther Jocher. In future, stocktaking can be completed in a fraction of the time, as the drone can fully survey an aisle nine meters high within 25 minutes. The restriction in day-to-day business is therefore minimal.