Overview
The Dematic Case Pick System for Route Delivery using Variable Pick Face Slotting is an order fulfillment system for building mixed case pallets. An automated storage sub-system stores cases of inventory and dynamically replenishes the pick faces based on demand.
The system holds inventory in automated storage and dynamically replenishes the pick faces based on demand. The inventory is stored in the upper levels of the automated storage sub-system. The sub-system moves cases of active SKUs to the lower levels for picking. Operators on the side of the rack structure make the picks and scan each item at the pick face as a quality check.
The entire process is paperless and managed in real time. Operators pick items for each order in a high-density pick face arrangement that reduces order fulfillment time, maximizes order accuracy, improves ergonomics, and maximizes space efficiency.
Each system can be configured for number of pick faces, number of storage locations, length of aisles, automated storage sub-system type, and operating temperature range.
Benefits
- Accommodates a wide range of inventory
- Compact, high-density layout reduces the cost per order picked
- Reduces the cost per order picked.
- Less staff can assemble more orders, multiple shifts per day
- Minimizes distance between pick locations
- Eliminates the need for staff to walk throughout operation searching for inventory,
- Eliminates manual slotting/re-slotting
- Eliminates manual pick face replenishment
- Significantly accelerates pick rates
- Significantly improves order accuracy
System description
The Dematic Case Pick System for Route Delivery using Variable Pick Face Slotting has a pre-engineered, standardized design configuration that ensures predictable order picking performance.
System management
The Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages and directs the entire process from SKU put-away, storage, automatic slotting, and picking. The WES can accept orders from the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in multiple ways, but typically as discrete orders. The Dematic WES software includes supervisor interface screens to provide a global view of picking, pick performance, system progress, order information, picks per operator, total picks, and items packed.
To make picking easier and more ergonomic, the Dematic WES software locates picks in the “golden zone,” (the most efficient locations), which are typically the second and third levels of the rack structure. Typically, the SKU with the oldest inventory date is retrieved first.
As orders are picked, the inventory quantity in the system updates. The Dematic WES software allows for cycle counting at the pick face or a workstation.
Warehouse Management System (Host)
- Order entry
- Inventory
Fulfillment orders
Status and completion
Dematic Warehouse Execution System
- Order management, plan, execution
- Order attributes, priority, changes
- Inventory location management
- Inventory allocation, tracking
- Synchronize and optimize processes
- Balance workload
- SKU pick strategies
- Visibility and insight
Comparison
Dematic semi-automated case picking systems are more accurate, require less labor to operate, and use less warehouse space than conventional case picking systems.
| Conventional Case Picking | Case Pick — Variable Pick Face Slotting |
| Large system footprint | Small system footprint |
| Manual put-away and pick face replenishment | Automated put-away and pick face replenishment |
| Case pick at floor level | 3 to 4 high pick faces typical |
| Dedicated pick faces | Dynamic pick faces, variable slotting |
| Long pick paths | Short pick paths |
| Low-density storage | High-density storage |
| Manual process prone to errors, inefficient, and slow | Managed by Dematic WES software that directs put-away, replenishment, and picking |