WMS

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A WMS and a flexible layout optimize order handling at this extremely high-volume DC

This facility is designed exclusively with E-Commerce customers in mind. A WMS provides excellent control over inventory and operations, particularly in managing work flow in order to avoid bottlenecks and optimize picking productivity. To further maximize picking throughput and efficiency in this facility, stock is located by activity level and order type, and picked by order characteristics. The fastest-moving items - which account for only about 1% of the 1 million SKUs handled here - are located in a multi-lane, pick-to-light area consisting of flow racks equipped with light displays. High-volume orders from retailers are picked in a put-to-light system, whereby orders are picked off conveyors and put on to store-specific shelf locations. Slower-moving SKUs and small line orders are batch picked from shelves using RF pick carts. A special area has been established to handle returns, as has a packing area for giftwrapping of orders. Picked items travel by conveyor to a sortation area, where they are sorted by destination and staged for delivery.

• For maximum picking throughput, the fastest movers (only 1% of SKUs) are located in carton flow racks equipped with light displays

• The WMS captures current order information to automatically assign specific SKUs to the pick-to-light and put-to-light picking areas

• Through constant monitoring of all picking areas, the WMS can adjust work flow on the fly by releasing work into certain areas and not others, maximizing productivity and picking throughput

• Rather than batching all orders regardless of profile, WMS determines the most effective grouping and picking strategy for each incoming order - ensuring that each order is handled in the quickest, most cost effective way

• WMS ensures timely replenishment of stock to forward picking areas by monitoring a predetermined trigger level

• A labor standards module is offered with the WMS to measure and monitor worker productivity

• Wrist-mounted scanners allows hands-free data collection in order picking

• Dedicated areas within the DC ensure efficient handling of returns and orders to be gift-wrapped, both of which can be time-consuming, costly activities