German warehouse tech advances: mobile Honeywell CT32 and high‑bay storage evolution

Small and medium energy utilities in Germany face inventory transparency gaps as material is often moved outside traditional storerooms—into service vehicles, workshops or field sites. The Honeywell CT32, an Android‑based mobile data terminal with 5G, Wi‑Fi 6E and long‑range barcode scanning, enables workers to record material movements directly at the point of use. Integrated with COSYS warehouse‑management software, the device supports real‑time booking of vehicle stock, on‑site consumption, and return of unused items, reducing manual work, inventory discrepancies and unnecessary trips.

The article also traces the evolution of high‑bay warehouses from the first fully automated system installed by Bertelsmann in Gütersloh in 1962 to today’s AI‑driven, robot‑filled fulfillment centres. Each phase—from post‑war expansion, the oil crisis, the rise of e‑commerce, to sustainability demands—has reshaped warehouse design, making vertical, software‑controlled storage the backbone of modern supply chains.