1. How a warehouse stays online
Smart warehouse ties a WMS (warehouse management system) to AGVs, picking terminals, handheld PDAs, and shelf sensors so inbound, outbound, stock counts, and inventory stay in sync. Steel buildings and large floors leave Wi-Fi thin, and a cellular link is what keeps the devices online. SimtoLink provides 4G for logistics companies and warehouse operators, with a shared data pool and APIs into the WMS and ERP.
2. Devices and the link each one needs
AGVs, picking, stock counts, and inventory do not ask for the same bandwidth or the same latency:
AGVs and unmanned forklifts
AGVs, AMRs, and unmanned forklifts report location and task status as they move, and take dispatch commands. 4G keeps the delay low. Monthly use is about 100–300MB.
Picking terminals and PDAs
Handheld PDAs and picking terminals talk to the WMS for inbound, outbound, stock counts, and inventory sync. 4G carries many devices at once. Monthly use is about 50–200MB.
Shelves and inventory
Electronic tags, shelf sensors, and stocktaking robots report inventory changes over 4G or NB-IoT. NB-IoT fits when updates are infrequent and the cost has to stay low.
Video monitoring
Warehouse cameras need video backhaul and exception alerts. With video in the mix, monthly use is 200–500MB, so plan a high-data 4G package.
3. Connection requirements
- Weak Wi-Fi: Steel structure and a large floor make Wi-Fi patchy. 4G keeps AGVs, picking terminals, and handheld PDAs online.
- WMS link: AGVs and picking terminals need a live link into the WMS for inbound, outbound, stock counts, and inventory sync. Many devices at once still need a stable connection.
- AGV and AMR dispatch: AGVs, AMRs, and unmanned forklifts report position and task status as they work, and take dispatch commands. Low delay is what keeps throughput up.
- Shelves and inventory: Electronic tags, shelf sensors, and stocktaking robots report inventory changes. NB-IoT fits when updates are infrequent and cost has to stay low.
- Platform link: Connect the WMS and the ERP for multi-warehouse management, statistics, and a closed API loop.
4. Choosing the card
Bandwidth and response time differ by device. Weigh both before you order. The table is a starting point for a typical warehouse:
| Use case | Recommended radio | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| AGV, AMR, unmanned forklift | 4G | Live location, task status, dispatch commands |
| Picking terminals, handheld PDAs | 4G | WMS link, inbound, outbound, stock count |
| Shelf sensors, stocktaking robots | 4G / NB-IoT | Inventory reporting, low frequency, low cost |
| Video monitoring | 4G | Video backhaul, exception alerts, higher data use |
5. How much data to plan
About 100–500MB a month per device. AGVs and picking terminals sit around 100–300MB, and video pushes that higher. Pool by device type and keep 20%–30% spare.
6. Security and compliance
Inventory and supply-chain data put this at a high security level. You need TLS, a dedicated APN, and an IP allowlist. SimtoLink supplies the dedicated APN and real-name registration together.
7. SimtoLink's recommendation
For a smart warehouse, put 4G IoT SIM cards in the AGVs, the picking terminals, and bin-location monitoring. AGVs report location and task status live, and picking terminals need a connection that moves with the operator. You get 99.9% network availability, a shared data pool, and an API into the WMS.
8. Rollout
Steps:
Choose by device type — AGV, picking, or cameras — prove the signal in the target warehouse, set the APN and an allowlist, and alert at 80% of the plan. SimtoLink can run the project through go-live. Ask for a plan written for that building.