Google StreamTech

Order Picking Automation

Overview

Since picking labor typically accounts for on the order of half of all labor in the distribution center, it makes sense to consider ways to optimize picking and speed up these processes. StreamTech provides numerous ways to help you speed picking, improve accuracy, while reducing direct labor content.

Pick to Terminal

Picking using mobile computers is a very easy step up from paper. A big benefit is that all warehouse movements are logged and tracked, resulting in better inventory accuracy and providing total accountability to your labor budget. This enables you to get good statistical information on your employee’s productivity and accuracy and then good metrics for your overall operation. Information transfer can be real-time via Radio Frequency (RF) or 802.11 Wi-Fi. For a lower cost at lower volume operations sometimes batch transfer is used, eliminating the need for RF. Intellitrack WMS supports mobile handheld picking. Accuracy is guaranteed by requiring scanning at each movement. The amount of scanning is configurable to allow you set the right amount of checking to balance accuracy with ease-of-use.

Voice Directed Picking

Although voice recognition technology has been available for a long time, in the past decade it has grown tremendously in order picking. The hardware cost is higher than for a mobile handheld device. However unlike pick-to-light, the cost scales with the number of concurrent, not the number of SKUs making it overall very cost effective. A query-response system of check digits is used to ensure accuracy. Voice picking supports multiple languages (and, since the operator trains the system, supports an infinite number of operator responses). A huge benefit of voice picking systems is that the operator’s hands are free, making it the system of choice for full case applications such as grocery distribution. Pick to voice picking speeds can reach 200-350 lines/person-hour in concentrated zones.

Pick to Light & Put to Light

The acknowledged speed and accuracy leader in the warehouse, pick to light techniques can typically allow operators to reach 300-500 lines picked per person-hour in concentrated zones, when combined with routing systems and/or cluster or batch picking techniques. A special form where the picks are made to the lights “Put” allows operators to reach 1000+ lines per person-hour. “Put” techniques are especially useful when a small number of SKUs has to be distributed among a large number of orders, for example in retail distribution to a large number of small stores. Like voice picking, Pick to Light can incorporate various error proofing, or poka yoke techniques such as additional scanning to prevent mistakes and raise accuracy levels to the desired amount.

Auto Dispensers

Automatic dispensers or “A Frames” offer absolute peak performance of up to 4800 pieces per hour and are typically provided in a hybrid format where slower moving SKUs are picked via voice or other means. Dispensers are provided in banks of (12) and are controlled via SolidSuite WCS. Dispensers are ideal for small, firm regular products such as cosmetics, jewelry, etc. Dispensers can be replenished while in production via an innovative double door system.