MHIA offers online lessons in order picking

The series of four "e-lessons" discusses the equipment and practices used in pallet, case and each picking.

By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 11/2/2007

Order picking is one of the most important and costly activities performed in a typical distribution center. The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) recently posted a series of four “e-lessons” on its Web site to help materials handling professionals better understand the order-picking process.

Professor Michael Kay of North Carolina State University authored the lessons. Each interactive lesson allows students to navigate at their own pace and gives them the option of drilling down for more detailed information. Each lesson takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

The first lesson, “Order Picking Concepts,” provides an overview of picking methods and describes how order picking relates to other warehouse activities.

The next lesson, “Pallet Picking,” introduces students to block stacking, selective pallet rack, push-back rack, automated storage and retrieval systems, and other storage equipment used in pallet-picking operations. It also explains the role of a warehouse management system in directing picking activities.

“Case Order Picking” describes various manual and automated equipment and techniques used for picking full cases of product.

“Broken Case / Each Picking” discusses methods of picking individual items and equipment such as carton-flow rack, horizontal carousels and vertical lift modules often used for each picking.

The series of lessons is sponsored by MHIA’s Order Fulfillment Council.