Topic: Inventory & Picking

It’s an omni-channel world, and retail warehouse and DC operations must now seamlessly orchestrate a combination of software, automation, hardware and supporting equipment to meet ever-increasing customer expectations or be rendered irrelevant.

The tightrope strung between storage and picking is an ever-changing balancing act to optimize labor and throughput.

This white paper overviews the various, self-contained, goods-to-person AS/RS systems available for handling the totes, cases and eaches most frequently faced by e-commerce order fulfillment operations, and the typical applications for each.

By taking a fresh look at their cycle counting practices, warehouse and DC teams are creatively using existing technology and resources to expand their cycle count benefits.

Distributor transitions from paper-based to voice-based execution ahead of facility move. WMS, Warehouse Management Systems upgrades using Voice Technologies, Distributors us voice picking technology to promote growth.

Whether for new warehouses or expansions, several key preparation steps can ensure warehouse labels and signs meet needs and go-live date.

How does a fastgrowing, e-commerce startup company build out order fulfillment capabilities? Thrive Market answered that question with its new facility in Indiana.

Our annual survey of reader investment levels in materials handling equipment and technology shows that with e-commerce-related pressures growing, they’re bumping up investment in the key enablers for flexibility and efficiency.

Bastian Solutions (Booth S3646) has a variety order picking technologies on display, including mobile robotic order picking, and augmented reality picking with vision-and voice-enabled wearable smart glasses for hands-free work.

The new Dispen-SI-matic A-Frame dispenses inventory into variable-sized shipping containers common to omni-channel

Swisslog (Booth S2012) showcased multiple solutions, including its Automated Item Pick (AIP) robotic solution that can pick small items for e-commerce fulfillment.

Numina Group (Booth S3452) is demonstrating their latest Real-time Distribution System, RDS-Warehouse Execution and Control Software, WES-WCS which combines Pick by Voice and Put to Light Order Picking and Consolidation into a pick, pack, and ship suite for e-commerce and omni-channel distribution operations.

UNEX Manufacturing (Booth S429) is showcasing prototypes of their new Pick-Plank for pallet storage and guiderails for Span-Track, along with other carton flow and lineside storage solutions that help companies to maximize space usage, increase pick rates and improve ergonomics at the point of pick.

Thrive Market’s new Indiana DC was designed to meet the needs of a fast-growing e-commerce startup today and tomorrow.

A pocket sorter integrated with vision-system guided robotic picking and a streamlined conveyor system were showcased by Kevin Reader, director of business development and marketing at Knapp Logistics Automation (Booth S1223), in a Monday press conference.

In case study after case study, interview after interview, and conversation after conversion, we’re learning that the impact of digital commerce and the subsequent challenge of omni-channel fulfillment is now cutting across every manufacturing and distribution market—and it’s putting increased pressure on all the major modes of transportation and the distribution center operations that keep well-managed supply chains fluid in this dynamic, digital world.

Chairman of CubiScan discuses the future of the industry.

Modern has curated several feature stories for this special issue that neatly encapsulate the automation equipment, software and best practices that are revolutionizing fulfillment and making today’s dynamic e-commerce operations possible.

Modern has curated several feature stories for this special issue that neatly encapsulate the automation equipment, software and best practices that are revolutionizing fulfillment and making today’s dynamic e-commerce operations possible.

Modern Materials Handling sat down with Technical Fellow of supply chain management at The Boeing Co.