Kiva Systems launches the new Kiva Robot Rental Program. This program suits businesses, which have a high seasonal demand like the retailers, internet retailing etc.
Kiva is launching the new system at the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibit 2011 to be held in San Diego. Retailers had not shown interest in automating the fulfilment operations, in the past. This reluctance is mainly due to the automation systems not being flexible and they having to spend a huge amount on a system, which would remain idle during the non-peak period. To manage the show during the seasonal peak time, retailers turn to the use of temporary labour, which most often than not degrades the accuracy and quality of customer care. The Kiva Robot Rental program comes to the rescue of retailers in managing the seasonal peak with assured accuracy and quality of service.
Kiva uses the mobile-robotic driving units to manage inventory that is located on shelves directly to the workers, this improves the productivity by almost four times when compared to other automated systems. All the components of the Kiva system are modular and mobile and allow for roping in additional units to manage the seasonal peak time and get back to normal operations once the peak season is over. The programme is designed to tolerate buildings that suffer peak-to mean surges up to the extent of 3:1 ratio. With the help of the storage, charging infrastructure in the Kiva Robot System, the retailers are able to double their drive unit in the same way as they would in case they hire temporary workers.