Case & Piece Picking Solutions
Changing business conditions, omnichannel distribution requirements, supply chain disruptions, increased customer expectations and the high cost of order fulfilment are all forcing companies to reimagine their picking operations. Retailers, e-tailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers alike are implementing resilient and responsive on-demand order fulfilment operations that enable flexible and scalable picking processes.
Dematic piece and case pick systems increase pick rates and accuracy and streamline order fulfilment efficiency while reducing the time required to pick, pack and ship orders. Advances in order fulfilment technology combined with new operational methods and management software can drive vast improvements within your picking operation.
Picking the right software
The pick system management software is critical to creating a powerful order fulfilment system. Before selecting the appropriate picking configuration and method, Dematic determines the order download strategy from the host and the pick system and then the order planning and execution strategy. The system management software is referred to as the warehouse execution system (WES).
Dematic Operate Software
A scalable logistics software platform, Dematic WES controls and synchronises the picking workflows. As a unified, fully integrated software solution, it allows users to dynamically manage the picking processes, inventory, labour, and material handling automation in real time.
Dematic WES includes a standard interface for the major enterprise resource planning (ERP) and warehouse management system (WMS) brands, as well as the Dematic Software WMS. The WES supports bidirectional communications and both synchronous and asynchronous message processing.
The Dematic WES uses on-demand processing to increase operational effectiveness and synchronise workflows in real time. With a revolving queue of orders, it pulls work to resources and processes orders on-demand, continuously, and dynamically (instead of in static waves).
Every time an order is completed in a functional area or workstation, a new order can be activated for processing. On-demand processing evaluates each order immediately upon receipt and calculates the urgency level for real-time prioritisation, planning, and execution. Based on priority and resource availability, it then adds the next best order to execute.
Pick system methods
Most companies use batch or discrete pick system methods. Dematic’s application engineers will analyse the activity profile to determine what pick system method and which configuration is most appropriate for your application. Some of the determining factors include:
- SKU velocity
- Lines per order
- Channel to market
- Timing of delivery/pick-up
- Return on investment
Picking multiple orders with one pass through the warehouse can make order assembly more efficient. This process assigns a group of orders to a batch and is also known as “batch picking.”
The WES order management software directs the batch picking process that assembles orders strategically in waves. Batch pick systems are used frequently for retail store replenishment and route delivery applications where sufficient time is available for advanced order planning.
Determining the right picking solution
Dematic is the industry expert in supply chain logistics. We can help you develop more accurate and cost-efficient order fulfilment strategies to reduce your order processing transaction costs and provide a rapid return on investment.
Dematic offers a comprehensive portfolio of picking and putting technologies. Modular order management and processing software provide complete control from fully automated distribution centres to warehouses with manual operations.
Dematic offers a selection of collaborative and fully automated piece picking solutions that meet the needs of your specific application. Collaborative picking solutions incorporate warehouse employees into the pick system operation, while a fully automated picking solutions do not require labour to operate.
Goods to Person
The person (order picker) stays in one place, and the system brings the goods or SKUs to the person. The SKU is picked and then sent back to a storage location. The basic system components include an automated storage medium for the product inventory, a conveyance method to bring the SKUs to the pick station, an ergonomic workstation, and software that controls the flow.
Dematic offers collaborative picking and automated case picking solutions. The most appropriate case pick solution is selected based on your application’s requirements. Collaborative picking solutions incorporate warehouse employees into the pick system operation, while automated picking solutions do not require labour to operate.
Goods to Person
The person (order picker) stays in one place, and the system brings the goods or SKUs to the person. The SKU is picked and then sent back to a storage location. The basic system components consist of an automated storage medium for the product inventory, a conveyance method to bring the SKUs to the pick station, an ergonomic workstation, and software to control the flow.
Consisting of a flat screen/touch screen, a tablet computer, and a voice directed device or radiofrequency (RF) device, the HMI instructs associates what to pick and in what quantities.
Screen Directed
Pick station operators are directed by a flat screen information display of an image of the item to pick and quantity required for each order. An integrated weigh scale at the pick location (optional) checks expected weights, further enhancing accuracy and ensuring that any errors are identified and corrected on the spot.
What criteria should you use when evaluating an automation partner?
Modular, flexible, and scalable, Dematic’s piece and case picking solutions can be configured to your company’s specific needs to optimise your supply chain, increase throughput, and adjust to changing volumes and product mixes.
It is critical to select the right supplier - one that will be a trusted partner throughout the entire process.
As a company that’s led innovation in Supply Chain for more than 200 years, Dematic provides the widest range of solutions and the expertise to build the solution you need for complete control and visibility over your operation.
Our solutions are tailored to your business challenges. Using standardised sub-systems and industry-leading insight and expertise, Dematic provides world-class integrated hardware, software, and support to help you empower people, optimise space, drive growth and improve efficiency.
With Dematic, you can grow your business to compete locally, retain customer loyalty, and deliver with speed and accuracy on a global scale.