Why this matters
Cirrus Tech systems are built for a 15-20+ year system life, and a lot changes over that time. Understanding your business plan for the next 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years is part of the same planning that goes into the system itself. A system that cannot evolve with your operation eventually puts you back where you started: facing an expansion or a replacement, instead of the next phase.
How Cirrus approaches it
This is the same phased thinking behind our Higher Levels of Automation road map. Wilsbach Distributors is living it right now: Phase 1 was a Crane System, and Phase 2 adds a Case Shuttle System next, built on top of what is already there rather than replacing it. When we design a system, we design it to carry into whatever comes next.
What upgrades actually look like
An upgrade is not necessarily a new system. Sometimes it is adding a second crane to an existing Crane System as volume grows. Sometimes it is adding layer picking to increase throughput beyond the base rate. Sometimes it is a Case Shuttle System built alongside a Crane System that was designed to accommodate one. The shape of the upgrade depends on what the evaluation says your operation needs next, the same process we run for a new system, applied to what you already have.
The phased approach
Most Cirrus Tech systems are designed with future phases in mind from day one. Here is what that progression looks like.
Establish the foundation
A Crane System (or other primary automation) built on an evaluation of your current SKU profile, volume, and facility, designed from the start to support what comes next.
Expand what is already there
Layer picking, a Case Shuttle System alongside the Crane System, or additional cranes, installed on top of the existing infrastructure rather than replacing it. Wilsbach Distributors is living this right now.
Higher Levels of Automation
Full automation across the entire picking operation, including automated case picking, palletizing, and integration across every stage from receive to ship.