Many warehouses in the U.S. are still using RF or paper based order picking systems, in spite of the massive efficiencies and expense decreases that are possible with automated picking systems. Only about 20% of storage facilities across the country use advanced services like voice directed or pick to light technologies. These kinds of solutions can have a significant influence on profitability.
The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems
In a lot of warehouses, picking is a laborious job where a picker receives a physical paper list of directions laying out the items to pick and their locales. They proceed to the designated storage location, review their paper list to identify the number of products they require from that pick face, get the products, check the item off of the list, and then transport the products for packing.
Simply getting around a storage facility can take up to 65% of a manual order picker’s day as they stride or ride about the warehouse. These inefficiencies make order fulfillment the most labor-intensive task in an average storage facility. In a lot of cases, more than half of a common warehouse’s operating expenses can be connected to order fulfillment. That number is actually increasing as e-com spurs additional picking demand from warehouses.
Nearly all warehouses have some picking requirements. Nearly 50% handle a blend of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. Less than 10% of all warehouses throughout the nation handle strictly entire pallet orders. And despite the fact that many warehouses bear huge picking costs, just 20% have actually moved away from conventional RF and paper-based picking solutions.
Developments in Picking Technology
In the last ten years there have actually been terrific advances in picking innovation, ranging from IoT+ RFID to augmented reality smart glasses. The two most prevalent and mature innovations, however, are light directed and voice directed picking approaches. Each has a convincing use case in specific situations, and some storage facilities even use both methods.
Fully actualizing technology-based picking solutions can be capital intensive. However, ROI models for picking automation are convincing. Most projects have a rapid payback and can generate substantial cost reductions in labor and pick inaccuracies for years to come. A 2018 research study showed that businesses that utilized voice, light or RFID based picking options lowered pick errors by an average of 67%.
Pick To Light
Pick to light systems are ideal for zone picking or high order volume, high speed warehouses. Racks are furnished with LEDs that indicate selection quantities and locations, and workers tap these lights to verify picks and volumes as they make their way down a pick path.
Light directed systems are less versatile and more costly than voice directed solutions, but carried out effectively they can considerably enhance picking velocity and accuracy. As reported by MHI, most pick to light applications achieve approximately 30-50% in pick rate performance.
Voice Picking System
Voice picking solutions are ideal for warehouses that fill a more substantial assortment of SKUs spread throughout larger facilities. Workers can move about a building hands-free–they don’t need to carry a portable device or piece of paper.
Picking instructions are relayed by the WMS through earphones, and the order-picker answers verbally to verify each pick. There is no device to hold, no screens to read, no barcodes to scan, and no verification buttons to click. The whole process is accomplished through voice commands and verbal verification.
Order Picking Automation Systems Near Me
If you would like more information on order picking technology for your warehouse, call a Welch Equipment Company automation specialist today!
