The majority of warehouses in the U.S. are still using RF or paper based order picking systems, in spite of the massive efficiencies and cost decreases realized by automated picking systems. In truth, only about 20% of warehouses across the country use advanced solutions like voice directed or pick to light systems. These kinds of solutions can have a remarkable effect on productivity.

The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems

In the majority of facilities, picking is a labor-intensive job where a picker receives an actual paper list of instructions detailing the items to pick and their specific locations. They proceed to the designated storage location, examine their paper list to figure out the number of products they need from that pick face, get the products, tick the product off of the list, and then transport the items for packing.

Simply moving around a warehouse can take up to 65% of a manual order picker's day as they walk or drive around the warehouse. These inefficiencies make order fulfillment the most labor-intensive function in a conventional storage facility. In most cases, over half of a typical storage facility's operating expenses can be attributed to order fulfillment. That number is in fact increasing as e-com drives even more picking demand from warehouses.

Practically all storage facilities have at least some picking requirements. Almost 50% manage a combination of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. In reality, less than 10% of all warehouses throughout the country handle strictly full pallet orders. And despite the fact that many storage facilities bear enormous picking costs, just 20% have actually moved away from standard RF and paper-based picking solutions.

Developments in Picking Technology

In the last 10 years there have been excellent advances in picking innovation, ranging from IoT+ RFID to enhanced reality smart glasses. The 2 most extensive and mature technologies, however, are light directed and voice directed picking solutions. Each has a persuasive use case in certain scenarios, and some warehouses even employ both techniques.

Fully implementing technology-based picking solutions can be capital intensive. Nevertheless, ROI models for picking automation can be strong. Most projects have a rapid payback and can create significant cost reductions in labor and pick errors for several years to come. A 2018 research study showed that organizations that utilized voice, light or RFID based picking solutions decreased 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 equipped with LEDs that signal pick quantities and slots, and employees tap these lights to verify picks and volumes as they make their way along a pick path.

Light directed systems are less flexible and more expensive than voice directed solutions, but carried out correctly they can considerably enhance picking speed and precision. As reported by MHI, most pick to light implementations gain approximately 30-50% in pick rate efficiency.

Voice Picking System

Voice picking options are perfect for storage facilities that keep a more extensive variety of SKUs dispersed throughout larger buildings. Workers can move about a warehouse hands-free--they do not need to carry a handheld device or piece of paper.

Picking directives are communicated by the warehouse management system through earphones, and the order-picker answers verbally to confirm each pick. There is no equipment to carry, no screens to review, no barcodes to scan, and no confirmation buttons to click. The entire process is performed through voice commands and verbal verification.

Order Picking Automation Systems Near Me

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

The Associated Indianapolis service area includes Indianapolis, Evansville, Fishers, Bloomington, Carmel, Lafayette, Greenwood, Terre Haute, Muncie, Kokomo, Anderson, Westfield, Jeffersonville, Columbus and all surrounding areas.

Associated | Indianapolis Forklift Dealer

5905 Decatur Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46241
(317) 821-0300