ASRS · WMS · WCS · AGV · Logistics automation · 114+

Technical
glossary

Over 60 terms explained in one simple sentence, for anyone evaluating automating their warehouse — no jargon, no runaround.

ASRS
Automated Storage and Retrieval System. Infrastructure that stores and retrieves pallets, boxes or containers without direct human intervention. It includes stacker cranes, shuttles, VLM and control software.
AS/RS
Spelling variant of ASRS with separating slashes. Used interchangeably; the ISO standard prefers "ASRS" but "AS/RS" is more common in American technical documentation.
Transelevador
Automated crane that travels within a racking aisle, on rails installed on the floor and ceiling, to store and retrieve pallets. Capacities up to 1,500 kg and heights up to 40 meters.
Read the full guide: what is a stacker crane →
Unit-Load
Stacker crane designed to handle full load units (pallets). Works between 500 and 1,500 kg per movement. The heaviest ASRS category.
MiniLoad
Smaller stacker crane for containers, trays, totes and boxes. Operates in 700–1,200 mm aisles. Ideal for picking in e-commerce, pharma and manufacturing.
Pallet Shuttle
Autonomous robot that operates inside the racking channel, moving pallets to deep storage positions. Allows much higher densities than the stacker crane. 2-way and 4-way versions.
Tote Shuttle
Shuttle robot for small containers (totes) instead of pallets. Widely used in e-commerce and pharma for high-density storage with goods-to-person picking.
VLM (Vertical Lift Module)
Automated cabinet that stores trays in two vertical columns and delivers them to the operator at a ground-level access window. Ideal for spare parts, tools and small parts.
Carrusel Vertical
System that rotates trays vertically —like a wheel— to bring the desired position to the operator's access point. Similar to the VLM but with a chain architecture instead of an elevator.
Autoportante
Structure in which the ASRS racking itself acts as the building's structural support. Eliminates the need for a pre-existing building and reduces total project cost by 20–30% in high-bay installations.
Almacén autoportante
Warehouse whose building structure is integrated with the ASRS racking: the rack beams support the roof, panels and dynamic loads of the stacker crane. Allows heights of 20 to 45 m.
Almacén de gran altura
Warehouse with free height above 15 m, generally 20 to 40 m. The great height makes stacker cranes economically viable: the cost per position drops drastically as height increases.
Dark Warehouse
100% automated warehouse that operates with no operators in the storage area. Human interaction occurs only at receiving and dispatch. Allows 24/7 operation and reduces lighting and climate costs.
Cámara fría
Temperature-controlled storage facility: refrigerated (+2 °C to +8 °C), frozen (-18 °C to -25 °C) or deep frozen (-30 °C). ASRS systems for cold storage carry special sealing, lubrication and battery-heating equipment.
Cámara frigorífica automatizada
Temperature-controlled storage facility equipped with ASRS. Special design: low-temperature lubricants, hermetic sealing of electrical cabinets and anti-condensation treatment.
Micro-fulfillment
Compact distribution center (400–2,000 m²) located within or near an urban store for deliveries in a few hours. Uses miniaturized high-density ASRS that maximize SKUs in minimal space.
Mástil (de transelevador)
Vertical column of the stacker crane on which the load platform rises and lowers. Single-mast designs (up to ~30 m) and double-mast designs (up to 40 m for heavier loads).
AGV
Automated Guided Vehicle. Mobile robot that follows predefined routes marked on the floor (magnetic tape, QR, inductive cable). Works in fixed, repetitive flows, such as transport between production line and warehouse.
AMR
Autonomous Mobile Robot. Robot that navigates the warehouse freely using SLAM with laser sensors and 3D cameras. Unlike the AGV, it requires no physical floor markings and can adapt to layout changes.
SLAM
Simultaneous Localization and Mapping. Technology that lets a robot build a map of the environment while locating itself within it, in real time. It is the basis of AMR autonomous navigation.
Cobots
Collaborative robots designed to work alongside human operators without protective cages. In warehouses they assist in picking, palletizing and packing, increasing productivity without fully replacing staff.
Sorter
High-speed automatic sorting system that diverts boxes, parcels or totes to predefined destinations (chutes). Cross-belt sorters sort up to 10,000 items/hour.
Conveyor
Conveyor (belt, chain, rollers). In intralogistics it connects the warehouse's different zones —receiving, ASRS, picking, dispatch— in a continuous flow integrated with the WCS for dynamic routing.
MHE
Material Handling Equipment. Generic term for all equipment that moves, stores and controls materials: stacker cranes, shuttles, AGVs, AMRs, conveyors, sorters, VLM and palletizers.
Paletizado
Process of stacking and organizing boxes on a pallet. In automated warehouses it is performed by palletizing robots at speeds of up to 2,000 boxes/hour, with no human intervention.
Despaletizado
Process of unstacking boxes from a pallet to feed the picking zone or the ASRS. Depalletizing robots with machine vision automatically identify boxes of different sizes.
WMS
Warehouse Management System. Software that manages inventory in real time, controls the location of each product and generates receiving, storage, picking and dispatch tasks. It integrates with the ERP.
WCS
Warehouse Control System. Software that controls the warehouse's physical equipment —stacker cranes, shuttles, conveyors, robots— in real time, with latencies under 50 ms. It turns WMS missions into commands for the PLCs.
WES
Warehouse Execution System. Software layer between the WMS and the WCS that coordinates, in real time, task assignment to operators, AGVs and stations. It manages dynamic priorities and balances load across resources.
HMS
Host Management System. High-level management system that coordinates multiple facilities or hierarchical levels of logistics management. Sometimes equivalent to the WMS in simple environments.
ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning. Comprehensive business management system (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics) that manages finance, purchasing, sales, production and inventory. The WMS integrates with the ERP to receive orders and confirm movements.
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller. Industrial computer that controls the warehouse's physical equipment —motors, sensors, actuators— at the machine level. The WCS sends commands to the PLC, which executes them on the hardware.
Digital Twin
Virtual, dynamic replica of the physical warehouse that reflects, in real time, the state of all equipment, inventory and flows. It lets you simulate layout changes and predict bottlenecks before implementing them in the real system.
Telemetría
Remote transmission and analysis of operational data: stacker crane position, motor temperature, bearing vibration, power consumption. Enables predictive maintenance and remote diagnosis without an on-site visit.
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification. Technology that reads tags without a direct line of sight, up to several meters away. In ASRS warehouses, RFID enables automatic traceability of each pallet without manual scanning.
OEE
Overall Equipment Effectiveness. Metric combining availability, performance and quality to express a machine's real efficiency vs. its theoretical potential. In automated warehouses, stacker crane OEE usually exceeds 85%.
KPI
Key Performance Indicator. Metrics that measure logistics operation performance: throughput, inventory accuracy, cycle time, cost per movement, etc. The WMS reports KPIs in real time.
SLA
Service Level Agreement. Contractual commitment on system availability and repair times. STOKA offers SLAs with response in hours for its client portfolio in Argentina and Chile.
MTBF
Mean Time Between Failures. Reliability indicator: how many hours a machine operates on average between one failure and the next. The stacker cranes we integrate exceed 8,000 hours of MTBF.
MTTR
Mean Time To Repair. Average time a machine takes to be restored after a failure. Together with MTBF, it determines the system's operational availability.
Uptime
Percentage of time a system is operational and available. An industrial-class ASRS has uptime over 99%. It is calculated as MTBF / (MTBF + MTTR).
Redundancia
Duplication of critical components (servers, PLCs, networks) to guarantee operational continuity in case of failure. The systems we integrate include a redundant WCS server with automatic failover in under 30 seconds.
Failover
Automatic switch to the redundant system when the main component fails, with no human intervention. In high-availability WCS systems it occurs in under 30 seconds.
Trazabilidad
Ability to record and query a product's full history: who received it, what position it was in, when it moved and where it was dispatched. The WMS maintains full traceability by batch and serial number.
Integrador WMS
Specialized company that implements, configures and integrates WMS systems with the client's ERP. STOKA integrates the WMS and WCS of the systems it implements in Argentina and Chile.
Goods-to-Person (GTP)
Operating model in which the automated system brings the product to the operator, instead of the operator walking the warehouse. Increases picking productivity up to 5 times versus conventional manual picking.
Person-to-Goods
Traditional model in which the operator walks the warehouse looking for products. The operator spends 60–70% of the time walking. The goods-to-person model eliminates that travel.
Picking
Process of selecting and collecting product units from their locations to complete an order. It is the highest-cost operation in most warehouses (60–70% of total operating cost).
Put-away
Process of storing received products in their designated locations. The WMS directs each unit to the optimal location based on the SKU rotation profile.
Batch Picking
Picking method in which an operator or robot simultaneously collects products from multiple orders in a single trip. Reduces total travel but requires a later sorting stage per order.
Pick-to-Light
Light indicators above storage locations that guide the operator on which position to pick and how many units to take. Faster and more accurate than paper or handheld scanner.
Put-to-Light
Light indicators above bins or positions that guide the operator on where to deposit each unit during per-order sorting. Second stage of batch picking.
Voice Picking
Voice-directed picking: the WMS sends audio instructions to the operator's headset and receives verbal confirmations. Frees both hands for product handling.
Throughput
Number of movements (inbound + outbound) a system can process per hour. It is the most critical indicator for sizing an ASRS and determining the required equipment fleet.
SKU
Stock Keeping Unit. Unique code that identifies each distinct product variant. The number of active SKUs is decisive in choosing between stacker crane and shuttle.
FIFO
First In, First Out. The oldest products leave first. Essential in food, pharma and any product with an expiry date.
LIFO
Last In, First Out. The last product stored leaves first. Natural operating mode of deep shuttle channels; 4-way models allow more flexible access.
FEFO
First Expired, First Out. The dispatch priority is the nearest expiry date, not the order of entry. Critical in pharma and perishable foods.
Slotting
Process of assigning each SKU to its optimal location based on picking frequency and product characteristics. Well-designed slotting can reduce picking time by 20–30%.
Análisis ABC
Inventory classification by movement frequency: A (20% of SKUs = 80% of movements), B (30% = 15%), C (50% = 5%). Determines the location of each SKU in the warehouse.
Análisis XYZ
Inventory classification by demand variability: X (regular and predictable), Y (moderate variations), Z (irregular or sporadic). Combined with ABC analysis for optimal slotting.
Paleta / Pallet
Wood, plastic or metal platform on which palletized loads are stacked. Euro-pallet: 1,200 × 800 mm. American: 1,200 × 1,000 mm. Size and maximum weight determine the stacker crane type.
Tote
Standardized plastic container (grid bottom) used in MiniLoad and conveyor systems to store and transport small-format items. It is the handling unit in e-commerce and pharma.
Bandeja
Flat or perforated container used in VLM systems. Each tray occupies a position in the vertical module and can hold multiple SKUs divided by separators.
Ciclo combinado
Operation in which a stacker crane performs a storage task and a retrieval task simultaneously on the same trip. Significantly increases throughput vs. single cycles.
Ciclo simple
Operation in which the stacker crane performs a single movement per trip: storage only or retrieval only. Less efficient than the combined cycle.
Pasillo
Corridor between two racking blocks where the stacker crane operates. In ASRS systems the aisle is narrow (1,000–1,800 mm) and exclusively used by the automated equipment.
Canal
Inner space of the deep racking where the shuttle robot stores pallets in a row. A channel can have between 2 and 30 depth positions depending on the design.
Posición
Individual cell within the racking where exactly one pallet, tote or container is stored. Identified by aisle, level and depth.
Footprint
Physical footprint a storage system occupies on the warehouse floor. A high-density system (shuttle) has a smaller footprint than a conventional system for the same capacity.
Losa
Concrete floor of the warehouse on which the rails and racking structure are installed. For an ASRS, the slab must be level within ±5 mm over 5 meters and have the load resistance calculated by engineering.
Cross-docking
Operation in which products arrive at the warehouse and are prepared for dispatch without going through permanent storage. The product crosses the warehouse (dock to dock) directly.
Staging Area
Preparation zone where the products of an order are consolidated before dispatch. The WCS coordinates container delivery from the ASRS to staging to minimize truck waiting times.
Consolidación
Process of gathering the different products of the same order, coming from different warehouse zones, into a single container, pallet or dispatch zone.
Wave de picking
Grouping of picking orders processed in the same work cycle to optimize ASRS travel. The WMS generates waves based on the committed dispatch time and equipment capacity.
Centro de Distribución (CD)
Logistics facility whose main function is to receive products from suppliers and efficiently redistribute them to points of sale or end customers.
3PL
Third Party Logistics. Company that offers logistics services to third parties: storage, transport and inventory management. 3PL operators use ASRS for greater capacity with the same footprint.
WIP
Work In Progress. In-process inventory within the production chain. ASRS in manufacturing frequently manage WIP between production stages.
Buffer
Temporary storage zone or capacity that absorbs speed differences between two consecutive processes. Inbound and outbound buffers cushion stacker crane demand peaks.
Secuenciación
Retrieval and delivery of items in a specific order to optimize the subsequent process. Advanced WCS perform automatic sequencing by coordinating multiple stacker cranes.
Layout
Physical arrangement of equipment, aisles, functional zones and flows within a warehouse. STOKA performs 3D simulations with flow analysis in every automation proposal.
Lead Time
Time from when an order is generated until the customer receives it. In automated warehouses, internal lead time is reduced by 60–80% versus manual operation thanks to goods-to-person.
Cubicaje
Measurement of the volume, weight and dimensions of the items to be stored. Accurate cubing of each SKU is necessary to size ASRS positions and select the right totes.
Mezzanine
Elevated metal structure that creates an additional level within an industrial building. VLM and MiniLoad are frequently integrated with mezzanines for multi-level access.
Zona de expedición
Warehouse area for consolidating orders ready to dispatch, label, verify and load onto distribution trucks.
Zona de recepción
Area where products arriving from suppliers are unloaded, inspected and identified. Includes quality control, cubing, weighing and scanning for entry into the WMS.
Intralogística
Management and optimization of all internal flows of materials, information and people within a logistics or production facility. It spans from receiving to dispatch.
Omnicanalidad
Model in which the customer buys and receives products through any channel in an integrated way. Omnichannel warehouses simultaneously manage store replenishment and individual online orders.
Last Mile
Last leg of distribution: from the distribution center to the end customer. It is the most expensive segment of logistics (40–60% of total distribution cost).
TCO
Total Cost of Ownership. Sum of all costs over the system's useful life: initial investment, installation, maintenance, energy, software updates and replacements. The right indicator for comparing automation alternatives.
ROI
Return on Investment. Time in months it takes an investment to pay back with the savings it generates. In warehouse automation, typical ROI is between 18 and 48 months.
CAPEX
Capital Expenditure. Investment in fixed assets: ASRS systems, equipment, installations. Depreciated for accounting over years. With RIMI, it can be depreciated in two equal annual installments.
OPEX
Operating Expenditure. Recurring operating expenses: maintenance, energy, labor and software licenses. Automation transforms variable OPEX (labor) into CAPEX + fixed OPEX (maintenance).
FAT
Factory Acceptance Test. Functional test of the ASRS system at the manufacturer's facilities, in the presence of the client, before shipment. Verifies the equipment meets the contractual specifications.
SAT
Site Acceptance Test. Complete functional test of the system installed at the client's warehouse, upon commissioning completion. It is the milestone that starts the equipment warranty.
RIMI
Medium-Sized Investment Incentive Regime (Title XXIII, Ley 27.802). Allows depreciating new capital goods in two equal annual installments and recovering the VAT of the investment in three fiscal periods instead of six. Requires a MiPyME certificate and a minimum investment per category.
Decreto 513/2025
National Executive Branch decree that reduces import tariffs for ASRS equipment and logistics automation systems in Argentina based on the NCM classification of each component. In force since 2025.
BICE
Investment and Foreign Trade Bank. Argentine state financial institution that offers credit lines for industrial modernization and capital goods, with preferential rates and terms of up to 10 years.
Amortización acelerada
Tax mechanism that allows deducting the full value of a capital good in the first year. Available in Argentina under RIMI for productive capital goods.
Estabilidad fiscal
Legal guarantee that protects an investment from negative tax changes during a set period. RIGI (Ley 27.742) offers tax stability for 30 years for qualifying projects.
Depósito inteligente
Warehouse that integrates automation, sensors and management software to operate with minimal human intervention. It combines automatic storage systems, robotics and real-time data to optimize goods flow, density and traceability. It is the evolution of the traditional warehouse toward Logistics 4.0.
Logística 4.0
Application of Industry 4.0 technologies —IoT, automation, artificial intelligence and data analytics— to the supply chain and warehouse operations. It lets warehouses, stacker cranes, robots and software communicate with each other for a connected, autonomous and self-optimizing operation.
Logística inteligente
Data- and automation-based supply chain management to make real-time decisions. It spans from robotized storage to predictive inventory planning, reducing costs, errors and times in distribution centers and automated warehouses.
Almacén 4.0
Warehouse or distribution center operating under the Industry 4.0 paradigm: interconnected automated equipment, management software (WMS/WCS) and real-time data. A practical synonym for smart warehouse and the basis of modern intralogistics.
Smart warehouse
A highly automated and digitalized warehouse where robots, stacker cranes and software coordinate storage and order preparation with minimal manual intervention. Equivalent to smart facility or Warehouse 4.0.
Dark warehouse
Dark warehouse: a fully automated facility that operates without lighting or floor staff, because all goods handling is performed by robots and stacker cranes. It represents the maximum degree of logistics automation and drastically reduces operating and energy costs.
Goods to person
"Goods to person" order preparation model: the system brings the product to the operator at a fixed station, instead of the operator walking to the product. It multiplies picking productivity and is typical of ASRS systems with shuttles and VLM.
Person to goods
"Person to goods" order preparation model: the operator moves through the warehouse to each location to pick the product. It is the traditional, slower, higher-travel method that goods-to-person automation aims to replace.
Cross docking
Logistics strategy in which goods entering the distribution center are re-dispatched almost immediately to their destination, without prolonged intermediate storage. Reduces inventory and times; internal flow automation makes it much more efficient.
Slotting (optimización)
Optimal assignment of locations to products within the warehouse based on rotation, weight, size and demand. Good slotting reduces travel and picking times; intelligent systems recalculate it dynamically with operation data.
Densidad de almacenamiento
Amount of goods that can be stored per square or cubic meter of a warehouse. High-density automation —ASRS, pallet shuttle, vertical storage— multiplies density versus conventional racking and uses the height of the building.
Supply chain
Supply chain: network of suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses and transport that takes a product from origin to the end customer. Warehouse automation improves a critical link in the supply chain: fulfillment speed and accuracy.
Fulfillment
Complete process of preparing and shipping an order from the warehouse to the customer. In e-commerce, fast and error-free fulfillment is decisive; automated warehouses with goods-to-person picking drastically reduce preparation times.
Centro de distribución automatizado
Distribution center (DC) operating with automated storage, transport and order preparation systems. It replaces manual handling with stacker cranes, shuttles, conveyors and software, achieving higher throughput, density and accuracy than a traditional DC.

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