Most warehouses in Los Angeles County are still using RF or paper based order picking solutions, despite the enormous efficiencies and cost decreases that are possible with automated picking systems. In truth, just about 20% of storage facilities throughout the country make use of advanced solutions like voice directed or pick to light technologies. These kinds of systems can have a tremendous influence on productivity.

The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems

In a lot of facilities, picking is a laborious job where a picker gets an actual paper list of instructions detailing the products to pick and their specific locations. They proceed to the designated storage slot, examine their paper list to figure out the number of items they need from that pick face, get the products, scratch the product off of the checklist, and then transport the items for packing.

Just getting around a warehouse can take up to 65% of a manual order picker's day as they walk or ride around the warehouse. These inefficiencies make order fulfillment the most labor-intensive function in a typical storage facility. In a lot of cases, more than half of an average Southern California storage facility's operating expenditures can be linked to order fulfillment. That number is effectively rising as e-com drives additional picking demand from storage facilities.

Practically all storage facilities have some picking requirements. Nearly 50% deal with a mixture of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. Less than 10% of all warehouses across the nation manage strictly entire pallet orders. And although many storage facilities bear massive picking costs, just 20% have actually moved beyond traditional RF and paper-based picking systems.

Innovations in Picking Technology

In the last 10 years there have actually been excellent advances in picking technology, varying from IoT+ RFID to enhanced reality smart glasses. The two most widespread and seasoned technologies, however, are light directed and voice directed picking options. Each has a persuasive use case in certain scenarios, and some storage facilities even use both technologies.

Fully incorporating technology-based picking systems can be capital intensive. ROI cases for picking automation can be powerful. The majority of projects have a rapid payback and can create considerable savings in labor and pick inaccuracies for several years to come. A 2018 study showed that businesses that used voice, light or RFID based picking solutions decreased pick mistakes by an average of 67%.

Pick To Light

Pick to light solutions are ideal for zone picking or high order volume, high speed warehouses. Racks are equipped with LEDs that indicate pick quantities and locations, and employees tap these lights to verify picks and volumes as they make their way along a pick path.

Light directed solutions are less versatile and more costly than voice directed systems, yet when implemented properly they can significantly enhance picking velocity and accuracy. According to MHI, most pick to light applications gain approximately 30-50% in pick rate efficiency.

Voice Picking System

Voice picking solutions are perfect for warehouses that fill a more extensive variety of SKUs dispersed throughout larger warehouses. Employees can move about a storage facility hands-free--they do not need to carry a handheld device or piece of paper.

Picking instructions are relayed by the warehouse management system through an earpiece or headset, and the order-picker replies verbally to verify each pick. There is no equipment to hold, no screens to read, no barcodes to scan, and no verification buttons to click. The entire procedure is completed through voice commands and spoken confirmation.

Order Picking Automation Systems Near Me

If you would like more details on order picking technology for your business, call a Raymond West automation expert today at 562-944-8067.

Raymond West
9939 Norwalk Blvd
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Phone: 562-944-8067