One of the fastest-growing forms of automation, cube storage technology, has been transforming warehouses worldwide. It stores goods in a compact grid and lets robots do the heavy lifting, delivering big wins in space savings, fulfillment speed, and scalability.
The catch? Most cube storage systems were built for large enterprises, with long planning cycles, complex IT requirements, and heavy budgets. Some come with costly customization or infrastructure changes that smaller businesses simply cannot support.
That is where Pio comes in. Created by AutoStore, the global leader in cube storage automation, Pio makes world-class warehouse automation accessible to ambitious small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and mid-market businesses (MMBs). It is compact, plug-and-play, and runs on a Robots-as-a-Service pricing model.
Most importantly, Pio gives you speed, efficiency, more room to grow, and the flexibility to adapt as your business changes.
In this article, we will explore why automation matters for growing businesses, the benefits and challenges of cube storage systems, how Pio compares with other solutions, and how to choose the right fit for your warehouse.
Why automate your warehouse
If you run a small or mid-sized warehouse, you already know the pressure points: orders keep rising, customers expect next-day delivery, and labor costs continue to increase. Manual picking and shelving can only stretch so far before errors, delays, and slowdowns start holding you back.
Automation changes the equation. It allows smaller teams to handle more orders with greater accuracy, faster fulfillment, and smarter use of space. The right system also keeps operating costs predictable, so growth feels exciting instead of chaotic.
But not every automation solution fits every business, so knowing the difference is key.
Types of Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation comes in many flavors, each designed to improve different parts of operations:
-
Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): Cube storage systems like Pio fall here, alongside shuttles and carousels. They maximize space, improve picking efficiency, and reduce manual travel.
-
Automated Picking Systems: Goods-to-person robots, pick-to-light tools, and robotic arms reduce human error and speed up order fulfillment.
-
Conveyance and Sorting Systems: Conveyors, AMRs, and sortation systems move goods smoothly through the warehouse.
-
Packaging and Palletizing: End-of-line automation like carton sealing, labeling, or palletizing takes repetitive manual work off your team’s plate.
-
Warehouse Control and Management Software: WMS, WCS, and WES orchestrate both people and machines.
-
Inventory and Data Automation: RFID, sensors, and AI forecasting ensure real-time visibility.
For SMBs and MMBs, space and team capacity are usually the biggest constraints. That is why storage and retrieval automation, especially cube storage, often delivers the biggest impact.
How Pio stands out in cube storage
Most cube storage systems were designed for large enterprises, with providers such as Swisslog or Attabotics focusing on long planning cycles, heavy IT integration, and high upfront costs.
Pio changes that. Built on AutoStore’s proven cube storage technology, it brings world-class automation to smaller businesses in a version that’s simple, scalable, and cost-effective.
Here’s how Pio stands out:
Speed
- Go live in weeks instead of waiting months
- One person can process 200+ order lines per hour, that's often 5× faster than manual shelving.
Labor reduction
- Teams that once needed 10 people can run with just 3
- That’s up to 80% less manual work, so your team can focus on higher-value tasks instead of chasing boxes
Space savings
- Store up to 10× more inventory in the same footprint
- Get back the floor space you need to grow, without stacking more shelves
Flexibility
- Begin with a smaller Pio system and expand as orders grow.
- Scale up to a bigger setup, even a P600, without starting from scratch
- Add robot capacity for peak season, then dial it back when things slow down
- And if you move warehouses, Pio comes with you
Ease of use
- Everything runs through the Pio app, built for non-technical teams. If your team can use a social media app, they can run Pio. It’s that easy!
From a compact P100 to a powerful P600, Pio scales to match your pace. Explore the full Lineup and find which P range fits your space and goals.
Cube storage system comparison
How much does it cost to automate a warehouse?
Enterprise systems often come with massive upfront costs for hardware, installation, and service contracts, plus months of planning before you see results. For smaller businesses, that’s often out of reach.
Pio takes a different approach. With Robots as a Service (RaaS), there is no huge upfront bill. A simple monthly subscription covers the basics such as Robots, software, updates, and support, while the core hardware such as the grid, service tower, bins, and walls is a one-time investment that you own.
Because every warehouse is different, pricing depends on your goals and available space. Want a clearer picture? Try the Pick your Pio simulator, where you can enter your building height and business needs to test different setups and get an overview of the price that fits your warehouse.
Who Pio is built for
Pio is built for businesses where space, speed, and accuracy matter most:
- Ecommerce brands managing D2C orders and seasonal peaks
- 3PLs juggling fulfillment for multiple clients
- Retailers balancing store inventory with online sales
- Healthcare and pharma handling sensitive stock
- Fashion and cosmetics where speed drives loyalty
- Electronics and spare parts where accuracy is critical
If you’re not an enterprise giant but still running a growing business where space is limited, goods come in all shapes and sizes, and every order matters, Pio is built for you.
Results from businesses like yours
When customers bring Pio into their warehouse, the first thing they notice is control. Peak season no longer feels like chaos, and accuracy quickly rises to 99.9%. Teams get time back, with less stress and more focus on creating, selling, and scaling.
"Before Pio, it could take us four or five days to ship out during big sales campaigns. Now, everything goes out the next day and we are doing it with just one-third of the people. That is a winner."
Richard Bendiksen
CEO of Vakre Vene
Because Robots do the running and lifting, warehouses also become safer, calmer, and better places to work. And with savings on labor, space, and errors, most customers see ROI in under 12 months, just like Dapper.
The Bottom Line
Backed by the global leader in cube storage, Pio brings proven warehouse automation to smaller businesses. AutoStore invented cube storage more than 25 years ago and continues to lead the industry. Now, that same technology is available in a plug and play solution designed for SMBs.
If you want automation without massive upfront costs, need to be live in weeks not months, and want a system that grows with you, Pio is built for you. Start small and expand step by step: add bins, robots, and ports as your order volume grows, or upgrade from a P100 to a larger system without starting over. You can even flex Robot capacity for peak seasons and scale back when things calm down.
And wherever you are, you are supported. Through a growing partner network across Europe and North America, including Bastian Solutions, Reesink Logistic Solutions, StrongPoint, Element Logic, Kardex, and THG Fulfil, Pio combines global expertise with local presence to get you live faster and keep things running smoothly.
Pio grows with your business, giving you flexibility today and confidence for tomorrow. Whether you run:
Pio delivers automation that is fast, flexible, and accessible without compromise. The warehouse of the future is not just for the giants anymore. It is here, and it is built for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a cube storage system?
A cube storage system stacks bins in a compact grid and uses robots to bring items to operators. It saves space, speeds up fulfillment, and improves accuracy compared to shelving. - How much does Pio cost?
Pio uses a Robots-as-a-Service model. A monthly subscription covers Robots, software, updates and support. The core hardware such as the grid, service tower, bins and walls is a one-time investment that you own. Pricing depends on your business goals and available space. For a clear picture of your warehouse automation cost, try the Pick Your Pio simulator to test setups and see which system fits your warehouse. - How long does it take to install Pio?
Pio is pre-engineered and plug-and-play, so it can be installed in as little as 5 days. - Can Pio scale with my business?
Yes. Pio is modular and flexible. You can add bins, Robots, and Ports, upgrade from a smaller Pio to a bigger one, or flex Robot capacity up and down as demand changes. - Is warehouse automation only for large enterprises?
Not anymore. Pio makes AutoStore’s cube storage technology accessible to small and mid-sized businesses, so you can get the same benefits without enterprise complexity. - Is Pio part of AutoStore?
Yes. Pio is created by AutoStore, the pioneer of cube storage automation. It uses the same proven technology, but in a plug-and-play system built specifically for SMBs and mid-market businesses.
_-_resized_to_1.4mb.jpg?width=600&name=pio_foto_(18_of_82)_-_resized_to_1.4mb.jpg)
