Nokia launches AIMS smart drone technology for inventory management

Nokia and its partner Graybar, a leader in the distribution of high-quality electrical, communications and data networking products, have announced the launch of Autonomous Inventory Monitoring Service (AIMS) - a warehouse management service that transforms traditional inventory cycle counting process with autonomous drones and cloud analytics software.

Nokia AIMS combines computer vision-based localization, barcode scanning, full autonomy and multi-drone orchestration technology to improve service levels for warehouse operators, distributors, third-party logistics, OEMs, retailers, and grocers. It provides up-to-date data and insights to optimize inventory management processes without costly and error-prone human intervention.

The service will help customers improve overall efficiency with an expected 30-40 percent return on investment (ROI).

"We are excited to launch Nokia AIMS with Graybar, a leading innovator in the distribution industry. Traditional warehouse inventory counting is manual, inefficient, and prone to human error. Nokia AIMS helps customers such as Graybar improve overall efficiency with an expected 30-40 percent ROI," said Paul Heitlinger, General Manager, Nokia AIMS.

Under a commercial deal signed with Nokia, Graybar is using AIMS to enhance its existing inventory management capabilities with this new technology, which subsequently will help the company improve productivity and customer satisfaction.

Further, Graybar has purchased Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) to enhance connectivity in its warehouses. The first installation of the Nokia DAC solution will be at Graybar's St. Louis Service Center, with possible expansion to other warehouses in the future.

Commenting on this development, Mark Hirst, VP Technology, Graybar said, "At Graybar, supply chain innovation is vital to our long-term success. We believe Nokia AIMS will help us increase the accuracy and efficiency of our inventory monitoring, which will enhance the customer experience and improve our operational performance. Very few technologies can simultaneously boost performance while reducing costs, but we believe AIMS can deliver both."

We're excited to announce our Autonomous Inventory Monitoring Service (AIMS) with @Graybar! Find out how autonomous drones and cloud analytics are helping to enhance warehouse cycle counting operations here: https://t.co/zsozz2AXdi#SupplyChain #Cloud pic.twitter.com/jHAPPaJw0n

— Nokia (@nokia) October 3, 2023