Most warehouses in the United States are still using RF or paper based order picking systems, in spite of the enormous performance gains and expense reductions realized by automated picking systems. In reality, only about 20% of warehouses throughout the country make use of advanced solutions like voice directed or pick to light technologies. These kinds of systems can have a remarkable effect on profitability.

The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems

In a lot of warehouses, picking is a labor-intensive process where a picker receives an actual paper list of instructions cataloging the items to pick and their locations. They proceed to the specified storage location, examine their paper list to figure out how many products they need from that pick face, get the products, scratch the product off of the checklist, and then transport the products for packing.

Just moving around a storage facility can use up to 65% of a manual order picker's day as they stride or ride about the building. These antiquated methods make order picking the most labor-intensive function in an average warehouse. In a lot of cases, over half of a common storage facility's operating expenses can be traced to order fulfillment. That number is in fact increasing as e-com drives additional picking demand from storage facilities.

Practically all storage facilities have some picking requirements. Almost 50% handle a combination of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. Less than 10% of all warehouses throughout the nation manage strictly full pallet orders. And despite the fact that most storage facilities bear massive picking costs, just 20% have actually moved beyond standard RF and paper-based picking systems.

Innovations in Picking Technology

In the last 10 years there have been terrific advances in picking technology, ranging from IoT+ RFID to augmented reality smart glasses. The 2 most prevalent and seasoned innovations, however, are light directed and voice directed picking approaches. Each has a convincing use case in specific scenarios, and some storage facilities even use both methods.

Fully actualizing technology-based picking systems can be capital intensive. However, ROI models for picking automation are strong. Many projects have a rapid payback and can generate significant cost reductions in labor and pick inaccuracies for many years to come. A 2018 research study showed that businesses that employed voice, light or RFID based picking options decreased pick mistakes by approximately 67%.

Pick To Light

Pick to light solutions are ideal for zone picking or high order volume, high speed facilities. Racks are furnished with LEDs that signal pick quantities and locations, and employees tap these lights to verify picks and quantities as they make their way along a pick path.

Light directed systems are not as flexible and more costly than voice directed systems, yet when executed effectively they can considerably improve picking speed and accuracy. According to MHI, most pick to light projects gain an average of 30-50% in pick rate efficiency.

Voice Picking System

Voice picking solutions are ideal for storage facilities that keep a more extensive variety of SKUs dispersed across larger warehouses. Employees can move about a storage facility hands-free--they don't need to carry a handheld device or piece of paper.

Picking instructions are communicated by the warehouse management system through earphones, and the order-picker responds verbally to verify each pick. There is no device to hold, no screens to look at, no barcodes to scan, and no verification buttons to click. The whole procedure is completed through voice commands and verbal verification.

Order Picking Automation Systems Near Me

If you would like more details on order picking technology for your warehouse, call an Associated automation specialist today!

The Associated Chicago service area includes Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Rockford, Springfield, Elgin, Peoria, Champaign, Waukegan, Cicero, Bloomington, Schaumburg, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Decatur, Skokie, Palatine, Des Plaines, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Berwyn, Mount Prospect, Tinley Park, Wheaton, Normal, Oak Park, Hoffman Estates, Downers Grove, Glenview, Plainfield, Elmhurst, Lombard and all surrounding areas.

Associated | Chicago Material Handling Equipment Supplier

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Addison, IL 60101
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