In highly dynamic assortment channels, where various types of products are handled, agile and precise fulfillment processes become a determining factor to consolidate a satisfactory experience for the customer.
Although it is true that in e-commerce channels, the customer experience begins through a platform, it is undeniable that the time elapsed from the last click until the order reaches the buyer's hands, plays a crucial role within your level of satisfaction.
That is why today we will talk about the most recommended technologies to optimize fulfillment productivity in e-commerce DC that handle multiple small units.
Technologies for a highly productive fulfillment
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Warehousing and order picking solutions
The first group of technologies that will undoubtedly help you achieve maximum productivity in your small-unit fulfillment are the so-called “warehousing and order picking solutions”.
These solutions offer great benefits for the operation of your Distribution Center, since they allow you to obtain:
- 85% floor space savings
- 9% accuracy in picking
- 85% operational ergonomics
Within the storage and order preparation systems, we can find:
a) Vertical and horizontal carousels: Equipment designed to handle a medium volume of low and medium turnover SKUs. The level of productivity they handle is up to 450 lines person / hour, depending a lot on the type of accommodation or arrangement that the workstation has.
b)Shuttle XP: Vertical lifting system for compact storage on a small footprint. Its modular design allows it to adapt to any necessary height, both before and after installation; also offering the option of modifying the number of accesse
- Productivity: Up to 450 lines person / hour
c) Vertical Buffer Module: Highly efficient automatic storage solution for the storage and picking of light weight and small volume items. Its level of energy efficiency and easy integration make it a great alternative to implement.
- Productivity: Up to 500 lines person / hour
d) Mini-load AS/RS: Systems specifically designed to handle boxes or totes (containers with regular shape) with medium product flows. High-rise, access-controlled storage helps prevent inventory theft and loss.
- Productivity: Up to 230 lines person / hour
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Picking technologies & sortation systems
Picking technologies and sorting systems are the second largest group of solutions that help maximize the productivity of small unit fulfillment.
Although these technologies do not offer space savings like the previous group of solutions, they do not stop providing multiple advantages such as:
- 9% accuracy in picking
- 60% operational ergonomics
- 50% less staff training time
Within this group, the most notable technologies on the market are:
a) Pick Cart: This system works through a trolley with multiple lights, which indicate the number of pieces to be taken from each shelf in a specific position. The alphanumeric displays indicate in which orders the products have to be placed and the quantity to be supplied in the cart.- Productivity: Up to 300 lines person / hour
b) Pick to Voice: The Pick to Voice is managed by a radio frequency terminal that has a headset with an integrated microphone, where instructions are received through voice. It is widely used in operations where boxes or items are supplied.
- Productivity: Up to 200 lines person / hour
c) Pick to Light & Put to Wall: Both are light-guided order selection systems, where by means of illuminated displays, the quantity of an item to be supplied is indicated in each position.
- Pick to Light Productivity: Up to 950 lines person / hour
- Put to Wall Productivity: Up to 600 lines person / hour
d) Sortation systems: These solutions combine transportation, diversion mechanisms, controls and software, in order to classify medium and high flows of products under different criteria according to your needs.
- Productivity: Up to 400 classifications per minute
Are you interested in learning more about any of these fulfillment solutions?
At G.I.Eicom we want to help you!
With more than 35 years of experience, at G.I.Eicom we are the leaders in developing intelligent intralogistics solutions that optimize the performance and profitability of Distribution Centers.
Contact us so that we can carry out a study of your needs and help you design the best option for you!
