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Light-directed pick cart makes one trip, 60 orders filled

Light-directed pick carts offer operational flexibility, boosting picking rates 400%.


Traveling through a warehouse can consume time and resources, especially when nearby products require two separate trips. At one PFSweb facility, versatile carts with integrated pick management software significantly improved the speed and accuracy of the order fulfillment process.

The solution uses picking carts that hold multiple order cartons, up to 60 at a time. The carts wirelessly download orders and an onboard display directs the operator to each location in the warehouse. Using a wireless bar code scanner, the operator scans both the storage location of the item in the warehouse and then scans the bar code on the item. The operator then picks items directly into the order carton, which features “put-to-light” displays on each shelf. The displays indicate item quantity and destination, and the operator touches a button on the display to confirm the pick.

The highly portable carts offer operational flexibility as the number of operators can scale up or down depending on the daily order volume. It accommodates single-line and multi-line orders, enabling high productivity and order accuracy.

Using this new order fulfillment system, pick rates at the PFSweb facility have increased from 45 order lines per operator per hour to 180 per hour, all while increasing picking accuracy. In addition, the software enables real-time reporting, such as order status and operator performance statistics.

Dematic
800-530-9153
http://www.dematic.com

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About the Author

Josh Bond
Josh Bond was Senior Editor for Modern through July 2020, and was formerly Modern’s lift truck columnist and associate editor. He has a degree in Journalism from Keene State College and has studied business management at Franklin Pierce University.
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