Overview
The Dematic Automated Piece Pick System for Multi-Velocity Inventory features a high-density automated storage sub-system with goods-to-person for low to mid velocity inventory and a zone route order fulfillment for high velocity inventory. The system is ideal for operations that maintain large quantities of stock keeping units (SKUs) and offer same-day shipping. In addition, operations may be constrained by a lack the warehouse space for conventional picking systems, need to support multiple channels, require high order accuracy, and need to respond to wide variations of order profiles.
Benefits
- Provides a single, integrated system for slow, medium, and fast-moving inventory
- Allows picking directly to order carton
- Eliminates dedicated pick faces with automated high-density storage
- Provides goods-to-person pick rates of 350 to 500 pieces/operator/hour
- Provides zone route pick rates of 120 to 150 pieces/operator/hour
- Delivers strategic, synchronized workflow management
- Provides visibility and insight of operations
System description
The Automated Piece Pick System for Multi-Velocity Inventory system has a pre-engineered, standardized design configuration that ensures predictable order picking performance.
Inventory is brought into the system two ways. Low to mid-velocity inventory is decanted into inventory totes that are then stored in the automated storage sub-system. High velocity inventory is brought directly to replenish the pick modules.
The WES software synchronizes the flow of empty shipping cartons to the goods-to-person workstations and then bring the needed inventory totes from the automated storage sub-system. Operators pick inventory directly into the shipping cartons.
The system then transports the shipping containers to the zone route. Containers stop at pick modules where operators pick inventory directly into the shipping cartons. From there, the system transports the cartons on conveyor to case sealing and outbound shipping.
System management
The Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages a continuous flow of orders for processing downloaded from the Warehouse Management System (WMS). The Dematic WES software directs the inventory location management within the automated storage sub-system, which eliminates the need for manual replenishment as well as manual slotting and re-slotting.
The Dematic WES software manages a continuous flow of orders downloaded from the WMS. This processing strategy increases productivity and operational effectiveness by synchronizing workflows in real time. It operates dynamically by managing a revolving queue of orders. Work is pulled to resources, and the system processes orders on-demand, continuously and dynamically, instead of in pre-defined static waves.
Warehouse Management System (Host)
- Order entry
- Inventory
Fulfillment orders
Status and completion
Dematic Warehouse Execution System
- Interface to host
- Order management, plan, and execution
- Order attributes, priority, changes
- Inventory location management
- Inventory allocation and tracking
- Synchronize and optimize processes
- Balance workload
- Part number or SKU pick strategies
- Visibility and insight
Comparison
Dematic piece picking systems are more accurate, require less labor to operate, and use less warehouse space than conventional piece picking systems.
| Non-Automated Piece Pick System | Automated Piece Pick System |
| Manual process | Automated process |
| Manual put-away, slotting, re-slotting, pick for all inventory | 80% to 95% of inventory does not require slotting and re-slotting at pick face |
| Traditional low-density shelving for storage for all inventory | High density automated storage for low to mid-velocity inventory |
| Staff operates pick carts or industrial trucks | Automation provides optimized throughput with less labor |
| Move through entire warehouse searching and walking | Automated storage and retrieval of inventory totes |
| Discrete order picking method in shelving aisles | Goods-to-person piece picking |
| Hand-held RF device at Pick Module | Pick-to-light at pick module |
| Manual process prone to errors, inefficient, and slow | Dematic WES software manages and directs put-away, picking, packing |