FAQs

Many of our customers secure leasing options through their financing providers.

Yes, Pio offers a Booster Robot program, allowing you to add extra robots for a minimum three-month period to meet peak demand and reduce costs when activity decreases.

Pio uses modularAutoStore technology, making it easy to expand the system as your business grows.

If you require additional customizations as your business scales up, we can also assist with the transition to a full AutoStore solution.

Yes. Smaller configurations than the ones shown in our pricing are available on request, down to a minimum ceiling clearance of 8.86 ft (2.7 m). Contact us for more information.

Pio and AutoStore sites maintain a 99.7% uptime, with no single point of failure. In case of a robot malfunction, the affected robot can be parked, and the system remains operational while you address the issue or await a replacement.

A Pio super user should always be onsite when operating Pio. A trained superuser should be able to address the most common issues.

The Pio Help Center provides troubleshooting articles and is always accessible. If you need further assistance, submit a ticket through the Help Center, and Pio Support will contact you as soon as possible to help resolve the issue.

To perform robot swaps or service, you operate the lift up and down.

The ports and grid tracks should be vacuumed annually or when visibly dusty. This process takes less time than cleaning a manual warehouse.

The bin dividers are made of cardboard.

Pio always includes a minimum of two ports, assuming space allows. The required number of ports depends on the daily volume of order lines. One worker can handle over 1,000 order lines at a single port in an 8-hour shift, but specific requirements depend on each case.

Learn more: pio.com/flexibility

Yes, Pio systems can be deconstructed and relocated.

Considering all cost savings, Pio typically achieves an ROI within 10-18 months, depending on the initial investment.

Pio can reduce your storage footprint by 75-90%, requiring significantly less space. Additionally, with a faster inbound/putaway process, less buffer storage is needed, reducing warehousing costs and enabling growth.

Just one. One person can handle picking and packing at up to 170 order lines per hour.

Bins have inside dimensions of 16 × 24 × 12 inches (403 × 603 × 312 mm), a storage volume of 2.67 cubic feet (75.5 liters), and a load limit of 30 kg (66 lbs). They can store 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SKUs per bin.

A bin can hold up to  70 t-shirts, 200 iPhones, or 5 shoe boxes.​

Pio bins can store 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SKUs per bin.

Yes, you can store 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SKUs per bin.

The minimum is 3 robots for a P100. How many you need depends on your operations, and you can add robots to increase pick speed.

Learn more: pio.com/flexibility

Calculating the right number of bins for your business involves both science and art. One approach is to estimate your current storage space and assume a 75-90% reduction in required footprint. This reduced footprint can help you determine the number of bins needed. You can start with a smaller Pio setup and expand as needed.

When manually requesting a bin without preparation time, retrieval time averages 25 seconds across Pio systems. In the worst case, for a bin at the bottom of a full-height stack, wait time is 3 minutes and 36 seconds.

For a standard P100 system, installation and commissioning take approximately five days. For custom systems, duration is available upon request.

Delivery of a Pio system typically takes around 10 weeks in Europe, up to 16 weeks on the East Coast of the U.S., and up to 20 weeks on the West Coast and in Japan.

Required permits depend on location and may include fire protection, structural, and electrical permits.

A backup power supply enables a controlled shutdown in case of a power outage, preventing data loss. Once power returns, the system can be restarted and resume operations.

Pio software requires a stable internet connection for communication with cloud-based software. If the internet connection is lost, Pio and other fulfillment-related software, such as ecommerce, ERP, and shipping platforms, will be unavailable.

Each robot uses approximately 100 watts per operating hour. Ten robots consume about as much energy as a single vacuum cleaner (1,000 watts).

Pio does not currently track expiration dates, but the FIFO (first in, first out) picking algorithm can be set to prioritize older stock. An inventory report with "days on shelf" and "date added" can help monitor stock age.

Pio does not support tracking batch or expiration dates by default, but this can be managed by your WMS with License Plate Numbers (LPNs) added to the batch date.

Pio can operate without a WMS, and many customers use Pio with inventory and order management features in their ERP or ecommerce platform. However, Pio also integrates well with a WMS if required.

At Pio, an order line is defined as each SKU in an order. For example, if a customer orders 4 SKUs, that equates to 4 order lines. Occasionally, more bin presentations are required than the number of order lines due to large order volumes of certain SKUs. For instance, if 10 units of a SKU are required, the first bin might have only 7 units, necessitating another bin for the remaining 3 units.

Use the Storing flow in the Pio app to restock the grid. Choose the appropriate compartment size, add items, and confirm when the compartment is full. A new compartment will be presented immediately.

To simplify inventory management, aim to store as much as possible within the grid. For items that don’t fit, Pio supports shelf locations and batch picking, enabling seamless order consolidation from shelves and bins.

B2B orders are processed as regular orders in Pio. By adding a tag and setting a prioritization rule, B2B orders can be scheduled for specific time slots, allowing priority to be given to customer orders.

For items that don’t fit in bins, Pio supports shelf locations and batch picking, with a consolidation flow to merge orders from shelves and bins.

Use the Storing flow in the Pio app for putaway. Select a bin layout, add items to compartments, and confirm. The Purchase Order feature can also be used for put-away, updating the order as items are received.

Return orders are processed in your ERP, WMS, or ecommerce platform and stored in Pio using the standard storing flow. Returned items can be placed in small compartments to prioritize them for picking, or stored with existing SKUs for better fill rates.

The Pio picking algorithm optimizes fill rates by consolidating compartments with a few items. For optimal distribution and access, spreading SKUs across multiple compartments is beneficial, though poor fill rates can be addressed using the inventory report.

Lithium ion batteries or other hazardous materials should be stored according to safety guidelines and assessed for risk. A risk assessment with supplier documentation can determine if additional safety measures are necessary.

All AutoStore modules (which are also used by Pio) meet global safety standards, making port operation safe and ergonomically beneficial compared to manual warehousing tasks.

Yes, multiple external integrations can be active simultaneously.

Yes, a public integration API is available at https://pio.dev.

Pio integrates with shipping management software to automate label printing when Pick & Pack completes. A selection of pre-integrated shipping software is available, and additional integrations are supported via the API.

Yes, it is possible to set up larger systems of physical automation to sync with Pio.

Pio offers a selection of pre-integrated WMS/ERPs, and additional integrations can be made through the open API.

Pio pricing depends on how your product is configured. There is an upfront cost for the hardware and installation, along with a monthly subscription that covers the Pio app, robots, and ports.

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) is excluded from the monthly subscription.

You can explore different product configurations and get an estimated price here:  https://pio.com/pick-your-pio

We’re committed to simplicity and transparency. With one straightforward pricing plan, we make it easy for you to get the most out of our services and apps.

The hardware purchase price includes the aluminum grid, bins, service tower, and walls. An additional fee will be quoted based on your warehouse location and covers delivery and implementation services, local building and fire permits, shipping, additional scope items, installation and build, and mandatory training.

Shipping and customs costs are not shown online. Additionally, you’ll need to source and purchase any peripheral equipment, such as iPads, scanners, and printers, as these items are typically already owned by customers. A workstation or desk for storing and fulfillment operations is also not included.

Depending on your warehouse, there may be additional costs for any building modifications required by your insurance company or local regulations. We can offer initial guidance, but you are responsible for building modifications and any necessary permits. Many customers work with an experienced service provider for this process, and Pio is building a network of partners to assist where needed.

Lastly, if you’re connecting to Pio through the API, you’ll be responsible for setting up the integration. We’re building a network of integration partners who can assist—just reach out for more information.

The monthly fee covers hardware rental (robots, ports, chargers, service trolley, and controller) and the Pio software. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) is not included in the monthly subscription. Get in touch for a full quote.

Yes, you can order booster bots for a minimum of 3 months. If you need a more permanent increase in throughput, you can keep them as long as needed. We’ll charge the same monthly rate per additional robot, plus a one-time fee for shipping and administration.