The majority of warehouses in the United States are still utilizing RF or paper based order picking systems, despite the enormous efficiencies and expense decreases realized by automated picking systems. In reality, only about 20% of warehouses throughout the nation make use of advanced solutions like voice directed or pick to light systems. These kinds of solutions can have a remarkable effect on profitability.
The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems
In the majority of facilities, picking is a laborious job where a picker receives an actual paper list of directions laying out the products to pick and their locales. They move to the specified storage location, review their paper list to identify how many items they require from that pick face, get the products, check the item off of the list, and then transport the items for packing.
Simply moving around a warehouse 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 storage facility. Oftentimes, the majority of a common storage facility’s operating expenditures can be attributed to order picking. That number is actually rising as e-com spurs even more picking demand from warehouses.
Nearly all storage facilities have some picking requirements. Nearly 50% manage a mix of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. In fact, less than 10% of all warehouses throughout the nation deal with strictly full pallet orders. And even though the majority of warehouses bear huge picking expenses, only 20% have moved beyond traditional RF and paper-based picking solutions.
Innovations in Picking Technology
In the last 10 years there have actually been excellent advances in picking innovation, ranging from IoT+ RFID to enhanced reality smart glasses. The 2 most widespread and developed innovations, however, are light directed and voice directed picking approaches. Each has a persuasive use case in certain scenarios, and some warehouses even utilize both techniques.
Fully actualizing technology-based picking solutions can be capital intensive. Nevertheless, ROI models for picking automation can be convincing. A lot of projects have a quick payback and can create significant cost reductions in labor and pick errors for many years to come. A 2018 research study showed that businesses that used voice, light or RFID based picking solutions decreased pick errors by approximately 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 communicate pick quantities and locations, and workers tap these lights to verify picks and volumes as they make their way down a pick path.
Light directed solutions are not as flexible and more costly than voice directed systems, yet when carried out correctly they can greatly enhance picking speed and precision. As reported by MHI, most pick to light applications gain approximately 30-50% in pick rate performance.
Voice Picking System
Voice picking solutions are best for storage facilities that keep a more substantial selection of SKUs spread across larger facilities. Employees can move about a building hands-free–they don’t need to carry a handheld device or piece of paper.
Picking instructions are relayed by the WMS through an earpiece or headset, and the order-picker responds verbally to verify each pick. There is no equipment to hold, no screens to view, no barcodes to scan, and no verification buttons to click. The entire procedure is accomplished through voice commands and spoken confirmation.
Order Picking Automation Systems Near Me
If you would like more information on order picking innovation for your business, call a Welch Equipment Company automation expert today!