Industrial Warehouse, boosting mobile signal for safety and automation.

A large warehouse facility, undergoing a transition to automated systems with forklift trucks and robotic storage units, faced connectivity issues. While they intended to rely on Wi-Fi for data transmission to these devices, the signal was unreliable due to the warehouse's vast size and dense metal racking. Additionally, they needed to ensure seamless voice communication for their employees, especially in the context of their lone worker policy and emergency contact procedures.

The Solution:

Recognising the limitations of Wi-Fi in this setting, Connection Solutions designed and installed a comprehensive 4G system as a backup for the automated systems and to guarantee reliable voice calls across the warehouse floor.

The design process involved a thorough site survey to identify signal weak spots and potential interference sources. Given the high-density metal racking and the vastness of the warehouse, a unique approach was taken; instead of placing antennas throughout the warehouse, which would have disrupted operations and posed access challenges, the engineers opted to install antennas solely along the sides and ends of the building, directing the signal inward. This not only minimised disruption during installation but also addressed the interference issue caused by the metal racking, particularly for the lower frequencies used in mobile voice calls.

Conclusion

The Outcome:

The implemented 4G signal boosting system successfully addressed the warehouse's connectivity challenges, providing a reliable backup data connection, and ensuring uninterrupted operation of the warehouse. More importantly, the warehouse staff could confidently use their mobile phones for voice calls, knowing they could reach emergency services or colleagues from any location within the facility.

The warehouse’s director expressed great satisfaction with the solution, emphasising its compliance with their lone worker policy and overall health and safety requirements. The reliable connectivity also facilitated the smooth rollout of the automated forklift trucks, which increased operational efficiency.

Of note, the installed system was designed with future-proofing in mind. The DAS (Distributed Antenna System) cabling infrastructure allows for the seamless integration of a private 5G network in the future, ensuring the warehouse's connectivity needs remain current as the technology evolves.