How many square meters of your warehouse are actually being used, when, and how efficiently? This is a question that most logistics managers can only answer approximately, due to the lack of continuous and reliable measurement. Here are the 8 key points you need to know to understand how warehouse utilization is measured today—and what a difference this data makes in practice.
People often equate utilization with stored volume. In reality, a high-performing warehouse must also measure dynamic utilization: order-picking zones, aisles, loading docks, and buffer zones. A warehouse can have optimal storage capacity while still experiencing recurring bottlenecks in its flow areas.
Physical inventories and field reports provide a snapshot in time, never a continuous view. Between two readings, actual utilization can vary significantly depending on receiving, picking, and shipping cycles—a variation that goes unnoticed with discontinuous measurement.
By analyzing video feeds from existing cameras, a platform like CORE calculates the occupancy rate of each defined zone in real time: aisles, storage areas, loading docks, and order-picking zones. This zone-specific granularity is what distinguishes actionable data from a simple overall estimate.
Analyzing loading dock occupancy times helps identify bottlenecks and reduce carrier wait times—an aspect that is often underestimated, even though it directly impacts the smooth flow of the entire upstream and downstream supply chain.
An average daily occupancy rate masks the actual peaks. Cross-referencing occupancy by zone with time slots helps identify times when space is structurally under strain, allowing you to adjust receiving or preparation schedules accordingly.
An area that is consistently underutilized or, conversely, chronically saturated, is a clear signal to review rack placement, traffic flow, or the distribution of stocked items. Without data, these decisions are often based on intuition rather than actual usage.
A logistics warehouse typically already has a fleet of cameras for security and traceability. A computer vision-based occupancy measurement solution must be able to connect directly to this infrastructure—without replacing hardware or rewiring—to ensure rapid deployment without excessive investment.
A warehouse employs staff and sometimes hosts contractors or carriers. Occupancy measurement must never rely on individual identification: non-biometric solutions process silhouettes and aggregated presence data, never faces or identities.
CORE transforms a warehouse’s existing cameras into continuous-monitoring sensors. The platform provides:
All this data is generated using anonymous silhouettes, without facial recognition or personal identification, in full compliance with the GDPR.