When it comes to warehouse operations, nothing shows the difference between manual and automated processes better than seeing them in action. Using real footage from our customer Ko:Ko, a Norwegian women’s apparel brand, we compared their old manual fulfillment process to an automated one using Pio.
Spoiler alert: The automated warehouse process with Pio beat the traditional setup. It fulfilled 5 orders in 3:13 compared to 8:09 manually. That is more than twice as fast, with added space savings and efficiency.
From Manual to Automated
In Fosnavåg, Norway, Ko:Ko had been running a well-organized warehouse, but they felt there was still room for improvement. They began looking for warehouse automation options suited to small and medium-sized businesses, yet like many SMBs, they assumed automation was designed only for industry giants with big budgets.
That changed when they discovered Pio, a flexible and space-efficient warehouse automation system built on AutoStore technology and available through an affordable Robot-as-a-Service subscription. It was designed to fit seamlessly into their existing operations, giving them the ability to handle more orders without adding more staff or expanding their space.
The Side-by-Side Test
We filmed Ko:Ko’s manual fulfillment process and compared it to an automated process using Pio. The setup was simple:
- 5 identical orders
- Same products and quantities
- Same start and finish points
The results were clear. Manual fulfillment took 8 minutes and 9 seconds, while using Pio finished the job in just 3 minutes and 13 seconds., more than twice as fast.
Speed is only part of the story. Pio also:
- Reduces unnecessary walking, making the warehouse easier and more efficient to work in
- Stores products more compactly, increasing capacity without expanding the footprint
- Keeps items easy to find, even during peak sales periods
- Scales with minimal downtime as the business grows
Why This Matters for Small and Medium Businesses
Saving nearly 5 minutes on 5 orders might not sound huge, but over a full day it adds up to hours of work saved. That means more orders shipped without increasing headcount, shorter lead times for customers, and more flexibility in day-to-day operations.
Automation is also about making the most of your warehouse space, doing more with the same resources. For Ko:Ko, it meant less time spent in the warehouse and more time enjoying life outside of it.
Read their full story with Pio here.
