Determine space and other needs for warehouse automation systems and other equipment is one of the most critical initial tasks in planning a warehouse layout. Many classic automation solutions, such as conveyor systems, are heavy and set in place, limiting the design possibilities for your warehouse architecture. Modern automation systems are often based on light weight, mobile components that can be placed anywhere in the warehouse. This allows you to create an open storage system with large storage capacities while still having enough room to move products around inside the warehouse. The next step in the process is to determine what kind of materials will be stored in the warehouse. This will help guide your choice of aisle width and height. For example, if you plan to store heavy items in the warehouse, such as vehicles or machinery, make sure there are no aisles too close together. This could lead to damage or injury. After you have determined the needs of your business and the optimal size and configuration of your warehouse floorplan, you can start thinking about how you will get products into and out of the building. This might involve adding loading docks, elevators, or freight-handling equipment such as lift trucks. It all depends on the type of products you plan to store in the warehouse and how they are transported away from the facility.