Continuing with our previous discussion on “Flexible Cartonization”, let’s talk about a new feature in release 12.1 called “Cluster Pick by Label”. Cluster pick by label is a feature that allows large warehouses to combine multiple orders and intelligently distribute it among multiple operators.
Let’s take the following scenario for example.
Three picks are ordered in a large warehouse shown in the figure above. The three picks are randomly scattered around the warehouse as denoted by colored dots. If an operator is commissioned for each pick order, in total these three picks would require three full trips around the warehouse. A better picking strategy is to divide the warehouse into three smaller pick zones as shown below, and allow the operators to pick the three orders simultaneously.
Here’s how Cluster Pick by Label is currently implemented in 12.1. Using the flexible cartonization feature, WMS can suggest a pick container as well as generate the shipping label for it. The operator first scans all three shipping labels and proceeds to pick up the proper shipping containers as suggested by the system. WMS intelligently combines the three orders and orders picks for items nearest to the operator. The operator proceeds to pick and confirm items as suggested. At any time, the operator can stop the picking process and pass on the pick slips to the next operator. Each operator repeats the same process of scan, pick, and pass to other operators until the shipping containers reach the end of the line in staging or all pick orders are finished. The last operator is responsible to pack and deliver the container to staging area to complete the process.
There are many benefits to using Cluster Pick by Label, namely
- Eliminate wasted travel time
- Shorten total travel distance from three full rounds into one
- Alleviate machine handling equipments(MHE) and other traffic congestion
- Allow operators to specialize in a particular zone
Cluster Pick by Label feature is a classic example of sum of the efforts being greater than its individual parts.
For the advanced user of Cluster Pick by Label, it is now possible to commission bucket brigade to create a self-labor-balancing warehouse. Please follow the link to read the great article from John Bartholdi of Georgia Tech on this topic.
