Partner Knowledge hub Getting started selling Pio

Getting started selling Pio

NOTE: The information in this article is intended for internal partner training purposes only.

For external use, please refer to the approved materials provided to you — including our live, always up-to-date website, official sales collateral, or reach out to our BDM team for additional resources and demo support.

Pio is a product sale, not a solution sale

At Pio, we recognize the unique challenges distributors face when navigating the sales landscape of advanced technologies. Compared to Pio, AutoStore is a more complex solution that requires deep customization, long sales cycles, and extensive stakeholder alignment. But Pio is different.

A Shift in Mindset: From AutoStore to Pio

Selling AutoStore often means diving into a full-scale solution sale. It’s about understanding warehouse workflows, integrating robotics, and tailoring systems to fit a customer’s long-term logistics strategy.

Pio, on the other hand, is a product sale—and that distinction matters.

Here’s why:

1. Entry Point Simplicity

Pio is designed as an easy entry point into warehouse automation. It’s standardized, straightforward, and doesn’t require a full operational overhaul to get started. This makes it ideal for customers who want to begin their automation journey without committing to a full-scale solution.

2. Standardized Offering

Unlike solution sales that often involve bespoke engineering, Pio offers a range of standardized products. This reduces complexity for both distributors and customers. Instead of navigating endless customization options, you can simply present the product, highlight its benefits, and let it speak for itself.

3. Embracing Compromise for Speed

Pio is built on the idea that speed and simplicity sometimes require compromise. It may not offer the full flexibility of a custom AutoStore system, but it delivers fast ROI, minimal setup, and a clear value proposition. For many customers, that’s exactly what they need.

4. Focus on Customer Success

Selling Pio isn’t about engineering a perfect solution—it’s about helping customers succeed quickly. Whether they’re new to automation or looking for a scalable entry point, Pio allows them to start small, learn fast, and grow confidently.

What This Means for Distributors

As a distributor, shifting your mindset from solution selling to product selling can unlock new opportunities:

Shorter sales cycles
Simplified onboarding
Broader customer base
Faster deployments

With Pio, you sell smarter, not harder. It’s not a replacement for AutoStore, but a product that meets customers at the right stage of their business journey and grows with them.

01 General Information

02 Technical Specifications

03 Installation

04 System Operations

05 Inventory and Order Management

06 Safety and Compliance

07 Integrations

08 Pricing

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General Information

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, Pio can be customized to meet specific height requirements. 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 superuser 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.

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.

Pio supports pick-and-pack operations, delivering over 130 order lines per hour per port. One worker can typically handle picking and packing from two ports, providing a scalable solution without increasing labor costs.

Technical Specifications

Bins measure 60x40x30 cm (0.072 m³ or 24" x 16" x 12", 2.7 cubic feet) and have a weight capacity of 30 kg (66 lbs). They can store 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SKUs per bin.

A bin can hold up to 100 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.

Typically, we suggest 3 robots per port, which generally provides 130 bin presentations per hour for pick-and-pack operations. This means one worker can pick and pack approximately 1,000 order lines in an 8-hour shift. During busy periods, the workday can be extended to pick more from the same port.

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.

Installation

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

Delivery for a Pio system typically takes around 10 weeks in Europe, 12 weeks for the East Coast of the U.S., and 16 weeks for the West Coast.

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

System Operations

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.

Inventory and Order Management

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.

Safety and Compliance

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.

Integrations

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.

Pricing

Peruse our pricing page for more information. Compared to other automation systems, Pio offers a fast ROI with flexibility in capacity and cost.

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), the Pio software, and our Pio Essentials service and support package.

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.

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Getting started selling Pio

Pio is a product sale, not a solution sale

A Shift in Mindset: From AutoStore to Pio

1. Entry Point Simplicity

2. Standardized Offering

3. Embracing Compromise for Speed

4. Focus on Customer Success

What This Means for Distributors

FAQs

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