Order picking
The intralogistics process from start to finish in the warehouse.
The intralogistics process from start to finish in the warehouse.
Sparring on order picking options?
Order picking or order fulfilment is the entire order process from order point to delivery. The oldest system of order picking is paper-based picking where an employee walks through the warehouse with a packing list to collect the orders. Although this system is still current and works fine for smaller warehouses, automation solutions are indispensable in medium to large warehouses.
Order picking can be broadly divided into two methods ‘goods-to-person’ and ‘person-to-goods’. Below, you can read more about the two methods of order fulfilment, the order picking systems involved and how to ensure seamless integration with your warehouse management system (WMS).
The difference between person-to-goods and goods-to-person is the method by which the order picker collects the goods. With person-to-goods, the order picker himself walks to the shelves to collect the order, while with goods-to-person, an intralogistics solution such as a conveyor brings the goods to a central picking location.
Are you looking for a way to make your warehouse more efficient? Then there are different order picking systems for these two methods:
With zone picking the warehouse is divided into separate order picking areas or picking lanes. This reduces the distance an order picker has to walk and increases speed and efficiency in your warehouse.
Advantages:
In a voice picking system, the order picker receives an instruction with the order details by voice. The order picker then collects the total order. Voice picking is often combined with another order picking system for maximum efficiency.
Advantages:
Pick to light is a system where the location of an item is indicated with a light. The order picker immediately sees the item location on the shelf and confirms the pick by pressing a button or via a voice system.
Advantages of pick to light:
An order picker cart is a cart on which the order picker picks several orders at once. This system is also known as pick to cart. The employee drives through the warehouse and collects multiple orders in special totes. Because the pick trolley communicates with the warehouse management system, it reduces the risk of picking errors.
Advantages of an order pick cart:
With pick by vision, the order picker gets smart glasses that use ‘augmented reality’ (AR) to indicate the route. The employee gets glasses like ‘Google Glass’ and these glasses indicate the route to the location of the item.
Advantages of pick by vision:
Pick by watch is similar to pick by vision, but differs in that the employee receives the information via a smartwatch. This solution is also applicable to smartwatches that you attach to your wrist in a holder. As with pick by vision, the order picker can read the most efficient route through the display.
Advantages of pick by watch:
A picking or warehouse robot transports a mobile rack to a central order picking location in a shielded warehouse. From this central order picking location, the warehouse worker collects the order. Is the order complete? Then the picking robot transports the shelving unit back to the correct location.
Advantages of a picking robot:
A platform lift or warehouse lift is a compact way to store goods and is especially suitable for smaller goods. The lift system presents the bins with the right products to the warehouse worker after which the worker collects the order.
Advantages:
With a mini load, a robot moves horizontally and vertically along all warehouse shelves to pick small orders up to about 200 kilograms. The order is then transported to a central order picking location.
Advantages of a mini load:
A pallet shuttle uses an automated storage and order picking system (AS/RS system). A shuttle robot drives over a racking frame and is used to move totes, trays or boxes in and out.
Advantages of a pallet shuttle:
Are you ready for a new order picking system? With all the automation options, choosing the right system has become quite complex. The questions below will help you choose the right system:
Combining the answers to these questions will give you a clear picture of your warehouse.
Do you want free advice for your warehouse?
An indispensable component in successful order fulfilment is a warehouse management system.
This system links data such as current stock, lead time and order details. In the case of a persons-to-goods system, the WMS relays information to the order picker via the order picking system. Among other things, the order picker receives information on the optimal walking route, shelf location and order size. In the case of a goods-to-person system, the WMS passes the data directly to the order picking system. Below are the main functions of a WMS:
Are you looking for a WMS with integration capabilities for both existing and new order picking systems? Costo Logistics Software’s Arrow system is compatible with most existing and new order picking systems.
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