The majority of warehouses in Eastern Washington are still using RF or paper based order picking solutions, despite the massive performance gains and expense reductions realized by automated picking solutions. In fact, only about 20% of storage facilities throughout the country use advanced options like voice directed or pick to light systems. These types of solutions can have a tremendous influence on profitability.

The Business Case For Automated Picking Systems

In the majority of facilities, picking is a laborious job where a picker receives a physical paper list of directions cataloging the products to pick and their locales. They move to the designated storage location, evaluate their paper list to determine the number of items they require from that pick face, get the products, check the product off of the list, and then transport the products for fulfillment.

Just moving around a warehouse can take up to 65% of a manual order picker's day as they stride or ride about the warehouse. These inefficiencies make order picking the most labor-intensive task in a conventional storage facility. Oftentimes, more than half of a typical Spokane warehouse's operating costs can be connected to order picking. That number is effectively rising as e-com drives additional picking demand from warehouses.

Practically all storage facilities have at least some picking requirements. Nearly 50% deal with a mix of pallets, cases, split cases and pieces. In truth, less than 10% of all storage facilities across the country manage strictly whole pallet orders. And although the majority of storage facilities bear huge picking expenses, only 20% have moved away from standard RF and paper-based picking solutions.

Developments 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 2 most widespread and seasoned technologies, however, are light directed and voice directed picking solutions. Each has a persuasive use case in particular situations, and some storage facilities even use both techniques.

Fully actualizing technology-based picking solutions can be capital intensive. ROI models for picking automation can be powerful. Most programs have a quick payback and can create considerable savings in labor and pick errors for many years to come. A 2018 study revealed that organizations that utilized voice, light or RFID based picking options minimized pick mistakes by approximately 67%.

Pick To Light

Pick to light solutions are perfect for zone picking or high order volume, high speed warehouses. Racks are furnished with LEDs that communicate pick quantities and locations, and workers tap these lights to confirm picks and quantities as they make their way along a pick path.

Light directed systems are not as versatile and more expensive than voice directed solutions, but implemented effectively they can considerably improve picking velocity and precision. According to MHI, most pick to light implementations achieve an average of 30-50% in pick rate performance.

Voice Picking System

Voice picking solutions are perfect for warehouses that fill a more substantial selection of SKUs spread throughout larger facilities. Employees can move about a storage facility hands-free--they don't need to carry a portable device or piece of paper.

Picking instructions are communicated by the warehouse management system through an earpiece or headset, and the order-picker answers verbally to confirm each pick. There is no equipment to carry, no screens to look at, no barcodes to scan, and no confirmation buttons to click. The entire procedure is performed through voice commands and verbal verification.

Order Selecting Automation Systems Near Me

If you would like more information on order picking innovation for your operation, call a Raymond West automation consultant today at (509) 728-6000.

Raymond West's Spokane branch services Spokane, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Coeur d'Alene, Medical Lake, Cheney, Pullman, Moscow, Moses Lake, Yakima, Wenatchee, Lewiston, Clarkston, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Walla Walla and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Spokane Material Handling Equipment Supplier

11002 E Montgomery Dr #100
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 728-6000