| Criteria | 4-Way Pallet Shuttle | Crane-Based AS/RS | Automated / Autonomous Forklifts | Traditional Pallet Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Density | ![]() Very high |
![]() High |
![]() Low to moderate |
![]() High |
| SKU Flexibility | ![]() Moderate |
![]() Low to moderate, works best for high volumes of repetitive pallets |
![]() Very high |
![]() Low to moderate |
| Throughput | ![]() High |
![]() High per aisle (but limited by the number of cranes) |
![]() Moderate |
![]() Moderate |
| Labor Reduction | ![]() High (minimal personnel required inside storage zone) |
![]() High (minimal personnel required inside storage zone) |
![]() Moderate |
![]() Moderate (forklift drivers still required) |
| Capital Cost | ![]() High |
![]() Very high |
![]() Low (depending on fleet size) |
![]() Moderate |
| Scalability | ![]() High |
![]() Moderate (you can add aisles and cranes, but the cost will be high) |
![]() High |
![]() Moderate (you can add shuttles, but layout is usually fixed) |
| Best Use Cases | High-density, high-throughput pallet storage; great for cold storage and batch movement | Very tall, high-volume pallet storage with predictable flows; heavy loads | Varied SKU mix and fast-changing operations; retrofit sites; phased automation | Deep-lane, high pallets per SKU; cost-effective density upgrade vs. drive-in; moderate throughput needs. |
| Key Limitations | Higher controls complexity; best when pallets per SKU are fairly high | Highest cost; aisle can sometimes pose a bottleneck; less flexible | Lower storage density; throughput depends on travel distance and fleet size; possible traffic conflicts | Requires forklift usage, limiting throughput; lane access limits SKU flexibility |