{"id":2541,"date":"2025-08-27T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/newsroom\/senza-categoria\/back-to-school-vertical-automation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T14:41:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:41:25","slug":"back-to-school-vertical-automation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/back-to-school-vertical-automation\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to school without logistics stress: the Papironia model between automation, control, and performance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the stationery sector, logistics is put to the test every year by the “back to school” season: a short but high-volume period where efficiency, precision, and speed become essential. With thousands of small-sized SKUs, multi-line orders, and growing demand across multiple channels \u2014 from retail stores to large-scale distribution (GDO) and B2B eCommerce \u2014 companies must find flexible solutions to avoid compromising either profit margins or service quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this challenging scenario, Papironia \u2014 one of the leading wholesalers in central Italy \u2014 has chosen to radically revamp its logistics by introducing an ICAM vertical automation system. The goal? To ensure high responsiveness during seasonal peaks, reduce pressure on workers, and maintain full control over speed, accuracy, and costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart automation: optimized space, reduced time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new system is based on four SILO\u00b2 multi-column VLM, arranged in a pod of machine covering just 85 m\u00b2. Here, Papironia stores 65\u201370% of its fastest-moving SKUs, freeing up space and making high-rotation items \u2014 such as pens, pencils, highlighters, and more \u2014 immediately accessible. Bulkier items, like reams of paper, backpacks, or multipacks, remain on traditional pallet racking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One strategic element is the logic behind the placement of items within the SILO\u00b2 trays: a combined pick-frequency strategy that optimizes machine paths and minimizes unnecessary movements. The result is lower energy consumption, smoother operations, and a more sustainable workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smooth operations and total bay control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each picking and refilling station is equipped with IRIDE interactive technology, which visually guides the operator during picking. But the real game-changer is the integration of a barcode reader directly into the station, scanning every item moved \u2014 just like a supermarket checkout. This precise reading allows for real-time qualitative and quantitative verification of every order, reducing errors, rework, and margin loss \u2014 especially critical in a sector where the unit value of items is low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before and after: impact on seasonal peaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During peak periods like back to school, Papironia processes around 120 orders daily, each containing an average of 200\u2013250 items. In the past, maintaining this pace required 2\u20133 hours of overtime per operator per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, thanks to reorganized workflows, the automation of four SILO\u00b2 multi-column VLM installed as a work station, and integration with the MEXAL ERP, orders are now fulfilled continuously, accurately, and without added strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the implementation of the SILO\u00b2 units and digital integration, the hourly pick rate per operator has increased by approximately +31%, allowing the same daily volumes to be handled without overtime and with improved operational precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The automated system has not only boosted logistics performance but also reduced operational stress, enhancing the value of the staff, who now work in a more organized, guided, and controlled environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \"\"\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"Papironia\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n \n \n \"Papironia\n <\/button>\n\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Digital integration for a responsive supply chain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Automation is paired with robust software integration. ICAM\u2019s WMS communicates in real time with MEXAL and the B2B eCommerce portal, continuously updating stock availability, tracking item movements, and ensuring full traceability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This integration maintains a steady flow even under high variability, preventing stockouts, optimizing restocking, and improving the final customer experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Logistics as a competitive lever<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Papironia project demonstrates that even in seasonal, low-margin sectors, it’s possible to build high-efficiency, high-control logistics. Vertical automation, combined with smart technologies like IRIDE and bay-level barcode control, transforms operational stress points into opportunities for performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Papironia\u2019s model is now a replicable best practice for any company looking to handle seasonal peaks not with emergency measures, but with a structured, sustainable, and scalable strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FAQ \u2013 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is warehouse automation worthwhile in sectors with seasonal variations?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes. In fact, in seasonal sectors, automation becomes a strategic asset: it absorbs demand peaks without requiring overtime or temporary hires, while maintaining consistent service quality and profit margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does it make sense to automate when the unit value of items is low?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely. In these cases, the critical factor isn’t the item’s value, but the hidden costs related to errors, rework, or downtime. Vertical storage automation drastically reduces such inefficiencies, ensuring control and traceability even across large volumes of low-cost products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How does the management of seasonal peaks change with an automated warehouse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An automated storage system ensures a steady order fulfillment flow even when demand spikes. In Papironia\u2019s case, the back-to-school season is now handled without overtime, with greater precision and no slowdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Does automation replace personnel?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, it empowers them. Operators no longer need to run between aisles but instead work at ergonomic, guided, and safe stations. This reduces physical strain, improves accuracy, and allows staff to focus on higher-value tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can SILO\u00b2 VLM can be integrated with existing management software?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes. ICON, the software for ICAM automated warehouses, communicates in real time with ERP, WMS, and third-party platforms such as eCommerce systems, ensuring continuous stock updates, traceability, and restocking optimization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Want to find out how to optimize your seasonal logistics? Contact us<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Papironia improves back-to-school logistics with SILO\u00b2 vertical automation, boosting efficiency, accuracy, and reducing operational stress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[146],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2541"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9986,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2541\/revisions\/9986"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.icamonline.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}