Overview
The Dematic Case and Piece Picking System for Multichannel applications is an order fulfillment system using convey and sort with multi-level pick modules for operations that need to support multichannel distribution. The system features light-directed picking, convey and sort capabilities, high pick accuracy, and consistently predictable results. Pallets are assembled manually. Semi-automated and automated palletizing options may be included.
It is an order fulfillment system that can replenish physical stores, independent service centers, regional distributors, other distribution centers.
Benefits
- Process improvement, optimized piece and case picking
- Increase in throughput capacity
- Reduction in time to process orders (service level agreement)
- Less staff, smaller system footprint
- Improved pick accuracy
- Real-time control, visibility, and insight of operations
System description
The Dematic Case and Piece Picking System for Multichannel applications has a pre-engineered, standardized design configuration that ensures predictable order picking performance. The system optimizes order fulfillment for multichannel distribution by shipping mixed case pallets via less-than-load (LTL) carriers and cartons/cases via parcel carriers.
The total quantity of cases in an order determines the number of cases on a pallet and the quantity of pallets. Pallets are created manually (or optionally with robotics) and are placed onto a truck trailer at the shipping dock. For parcel shipping, cases load directly into truck trailers (fluid loading).
System management
The Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages the order fulfillment system — dynamically managing processes, inventory, labor, and material handling automation in real time. Specific responsibilities include order picking and sorting, palletizing, singles processing, consolidation put wall, and pack-out. The Warehouse Management System (WMS) is responsible for inventory management and directing operations at receiving and put away into the pick modules.
The Dematic WES software can accept orders from the 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, and total picks.
Warehouse Management System (Host)
- Order entry
- Inventory
Fulfillment orders
Status and completion
Dematic Warehouse Execution System
- Order management, plan, execution
- Order attributes, priority, changes
- Synchronize and optimize processes
- Direct piece and case picking
- Scan and sort control
- Manage singles, consolidate, and packout
- Direct the palletizing
- Visibility and insight
Comparison
Dematic piece and case picking systems are more accurate, require less labor to operate, and use less warehouse space than conventional piece and case picking systems.
| Conventional Piece and Case Pick | Case and Piece Pick — Multichannel |
| Manual piece and case pick | Execution software synchronizes workflows |
| Traditional legacy processes | Process improvement for case and piece pick |
| Mixed case pallet picked with one pass through the warehouse | Efficiently case pick each SKU at one time for all orders in the wave |
| Non-strategic case pick and palletize | Strategic case picking to align with palletize |
| Longer pick path | Shorter pick paths |
| Manual palletizing, manual driving pallet truck to shipping | Automated convey and sort to shipping door, manual or robotic palletize |
| Less throughput capacity | More throughput capacity |
| Case pick at floor level | 3 to 4 level case pick modules |
| Large footprint | Smaller system footprint |