Package Handling
DCS’s design and engineering team has more than 40 years of experience creating unique parcel handling systems for diverse customer applications. With installations including semi-automated handling in small city distribution centers and fully automated, integrated hubs with advanced conveyor and sorter equipment, DCS routinely thinks outside the box.
E-Commerce and Multi-Channel Fulfillment
DCS designs and implements end-to-end warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce and multi-channel retailers that address numerous workflow challenges. This includes solutions for receiving, putaway, storage, replenishment, order fulfillment, picking, packing, sortation, and outbound shipping. Our custom integrated warehouse, distribution, and fulfillment systems draw from a deep pool of conventional, semi-automated, and automated material handling technologies.
Various Distribution Applications
Whether an operation is considering the construction of a new distribution or fulfillment center, or a retrofit or expansion of an existing facility, it’s important to create a solution that fits the overarching supply chain strategy. DCS has four decades of experience designing and integrating comprehensive, end-to-end material handling solutions that meet a multitude of operational goals. Whether conventional, semi-automated, or fully automated, DCS can help your organization implement a custom solution that meets its goals while maximizing return on investment (ROI).
Supply Chain Consulting
The DCS Supply Chain Consulting team offers a range of services to help your operations address the challenges it faces. Working in partnership with you, DCS consultants analyze your business data- existing workforce, workflow processes, inventory, order data, operations, and more- to determine a strategy that addresses your unique needs. Whether you need an operations assessment, process improvement recommendations, or distribution design services, DCS consultants will help guide you to the material handling system or operational solution that best meets your current and future needs, as well as your budget.
Customer Support
Keeping your warehouse operations and material handling systems running smoothly and at the peak of productivity are the goals of DCS’ Customer Service Team. By partnering with DCS, your warehouse automation solution is supported from commissioning to end of life. You’ll receive comprehensive in-house training of your personnel, including specialized training of your designated internal system expert. Plus, DCS offers a complete package of spare parts and expert system troubleshooting support from qualified engineers dedicated to your installation.
System Design & Integration
DCS offers a broad range of material handling equipment and automated system design, installation, and integration services for a multitude of projects. These include retrofits, expansions, upgrades, and more. While every project is unique, our system design and execution processes are the same, encompassing meticulous attention to detail, frequent communication, and a dedicated partnership with our clients.
About Us
Designed Conveyor Systems (DCS) has 40 years of experience serving major clients in multiple industries by providing material handling, full-scale warehouse operations, and conveyor design solutions that are custom crafted for their needs. DCS does not sell ready-made conveyor systems but builds relationships that empower collaboration to craft custom warehouse designs together. DCS utilizes consulting, engineering design, project management, installation services, and client support to ensure our customers can keep their promises to deliver on time.
Projects
With more than 40 years of experience providing automated system design, installation, and integration services, DCS has created solutions for companies throughout the United States in a broad range of industries and markets. We’ve completed more than 1500 projects ranging from greenfield facilities with completely new systems to expansions and retrofits of existing operations.

5 Reasons You Should Consider an Integrator

5 Reasons You Should Consider an Integrator for Your MHE Needs
by Satyen Pathak

When searching for an MHE supplier, you have many options to consider. There are several variables that need to be addressed, which can be a daunting task for an end user that is seeking the ideal solution. The options of MHE suppliers are as many as when trying to select which car to purchase. To narrow the field, it is best to work with an integrator that can help you navigate the suppliers, products, and assist with getting you your best solution for current times and for your future growth.
This article will cover the details to consider when you are in the process of implementing material handling automation at a Greenfield site or an upgrade/retrofit and why you should consider an integrator as a trusted partner.

1. There is no one single MHE supplier that can provide everything for your needs
As there are many MHE suppliers with a wide breadth of products that range from conveyance, accumulation needs, sortation, shuttles, put-walls and pick to light, they still depend on alternate supply chains for providing an entire warehouse solution. Although these MHE suppliers are the face to the customer, there are dependencies the customer may not be aware of. With an integrator these dependencies are transparent, and the supply chain is exercised by providing the exact content to fulfill a solution.

2. MHE suppliers can be stretched thin when it comes to capacity
With the growing demand of ecommerce and the requirement for next day/same day delivery, the MHE supplier space is feeling the pain to keep up pace with demand. As this pressure builds up on traditional outlets for MHE, it is wise to consider integrators as they are typically more nimble and can meet customer’s tight schedule constraints. This expanded capacity comes from the ability to source from multiple MHE manufacturers and provide systems at a rate that may beat traditional project schedules.

3. MHE suppliers want to sell their own equipment first which may not be the best solution for you
It is in the best interest of an MHE manufacturer to promote and implement their own equipment. The concerns you should consider here are Is this the best products for my needs? They may have the right conveyor or the right sorter, but does that mean that all the products in their portfolio that they offer are the best fit? For example, they may have the right AS/RS solution but does their MDR solution fit? You may feel obligated to purchase products that may not be an exact match since typically these all get bundled. As MHE manufacturers have a myriad of equipment that they supply, not all may have the correct features or benefits that you require on a product level.

4. Integrators have strategic partnerships that can supply solutions that marry the right products for your needs at a cost-effective implementation
The solution is vetted by marrying up certain products on previous projects that have shown success. By maintaining a strategic distributorship and partnership within the industry, many times these successful project implementations can be highly cost effective. These partnerships are built over time and the cost savings are cascaded to the end user by utilizing volume discounts, strategic pricing arrangements, and relationships in the industry.

5. Integrators hold expertise in products across all MHE suppliers
Successful integrators must have a broad knowledge of what is available in the marketplace and be able to leverage several MHE manufacturer’s products to provide the end user with the right solution. Every facility has different KPI’s to be met and many times it is not as cookie cutter as it may seem. To be able to know the differentiators among all major MHE manufacturers is a large benefit for the end user of the equipment and saves time in the research phase for your specific needs. For example, to know all the features/benefits of every crossbelt sorter could be challenging, but integrators have access to these metrics, which can aid in the decision-making process for the solution that is best suited for your requirements.

As there is no cookie cutter solution and several variables to consider while choosing an automaton supplier you should be conscious of the available resources at your disposable that an integrator can provide. Whether you are seeking consultation, retrofit/upgrade or greenfield solutions, an integrator can provide services with a quick turn-around, cost competitive options, and project schedules that rival current market implementations.

If you’d like more information, or to speak with our team about your material handling needs, contact us.We look forward to connecting with you!

_

As an SME in material handling, Satyen has an extensive background in creating solutions for the
retail/e-comm, Parcel, Post, and baggage handling market verticals. He has worn several hats including Product Management, Applications Engineer, Technical support and most recently as an Account Executive with DCS. Satyen has conducted numerous educational speaking engagements and has sat on committees for MHI.