On Using Totes vs. Original Cartons in Zone Picking Systems with Flow Racks
When I talk to customers about zone picking systems, we often come to the question of whether they should fill their flow racks in the zone picking system with the…
Combining Goods-to-Person Picking with Zone Picking Systems
In this article, we want to explore the combination of goods-to-person (GtP) picking systems with zone picking systems. This particular solution design will be discussed in the context of high-performance picking requirements – systems that will have to cope with strong customer demand, i.e., several thousand orderlines per hour. Combining GtP picking with zone picking counts as advanced solution design; it is nothing a warehouse operator should aim for with a warehouse automation provider with no prior experience with that solution design. First, we will look into the reasons as to why you combine these two picking systems (as opposed to just using one). Then, we will discuss control aspects of this solution. Finally, we will explore if there are restrictions with respect to the choice of the specific automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) one would use to power the GtP picking system.
Two Strategies for eGrocery Automation
Having worked with a number of online supermarkets in the past couple of years, I found that there are two strategic approaches to making eGrocery operations profitable. And which one…
On the Sustainability of Q Commerce Companies: Why They Most Go Bust, and Why That‘s a Good Thing
As a professor of logistics and a citizen interested in and concerned about the sustainability of business models, I watch the meteoric rise of rapid grocery delivery services like GoPuff…
Limitations of Shuttle Systems in Goods-to-Person Picking Applications for eGrocery
In this article, I investigate the use of conventional single-level shuttle systems for goods-to-person picking of grocery items in e-com. I will explain why this particular type of automated storage…
