Optimizing Order Picking in Ecommerce Fulfillment Centers
The 55,000-square-foot facility, which opened in November, is attached to a Plano store and serves deliveries within a 5-7 mile radius, focusing on efficient and timely order fulfillment. Walmart, using Alphabot robotics, opened its first fulfillment center in January 2020 and has since launched a second micro fulfillment center. Several strategies are employed to improve picking efficiency.
Order picking plays a critical role in the efficiency and customer experience of e-commerce operations. As the demand for faster deliveries increases, fulfillment centers are innovating to streamline the picking process, which is a significant component of order fulfillment.
The Importance of Efficient Order Picking
Order picking is fundamental to customer satisfaction in e-commerce. The pickers in fulfillment centers often cover extensive ground, sometimes walking up to 15 miles per day, making it vital to minimize walking times to enhance productivity. High accuracy in picking is essential to avoid back orders, which can impede picker productivity and delay customer orders.
Several strategies are employed to improve picking efficiency. Effective slotting and location control can significantly impact the speed and accuracy of order picking. Removing obstacles and ensuring adequate lighting within the fulfillment centers are practical measures to facilitate smoother operations. Furthermore, maintaining accurate inventory records is crucial to prevent back orders and ensure that pickers can fulfill orders promptly.
Technological Solutions in Order Picking
Technology plays a pivotal role in reducing walk time and improving accuracy in order picking. Systems such as pick-and-pass allow orders to move to stationary pickers, while pick-to-light technology uses LED lights to direct pickers to the correct items. Voice picking is another advancement that enhances both accuracy and efficiency by guiding pickers through voice commands.
The integration of robotics in large fulfillment centers is also under consideration. Robots can assist with the movement of products, allowing human associates to focus on assembling and packing orders. Implementing a warehouse management system is crucial in managing these technological advancements and ensuring seamless operations across the fulfillment center.
Robotics and Automation in Fulfillment Centers
Robotics and automation are becoming increasingly central to modern fulfillment centers. H-E-B has recently opened its first e-commerce fulfillment center in Plano, Texas, utilizing robotics to fill orders. The 55,000-square-foot facility, which opened in November, is attached to a Plano store and serves deliveries within a 5-7 mile radius, focusing on efficient and timely order fulfillment.
Walmart and Kroger are also investing in automated e-commerce centers. Walmart, using Alphabot robotics, opened its first fulfillment center in January 2020 and has since launched a second micro fulfillment center. Kroger's automated e-commerce center in Dallas further highlights the industry's shift towards automation. These initiatives highlight a commitment to innovative fulfillment technologies and enhancing customer experiences.
Future Directions and Innovations
The future of order picking in e-commerce fulfillment centers seems increasingly tied to automation and AI-driven solutions. Walmart's partnership with Geek+ has resulted in the implementation of nearly 200 P800 autonomous mobile robots, focusing on high-volume order fulfillment. These goods-to-person AMRs utilize AI to optimize picking efficiency, thereby enhancing the capability, efficiency, and accuracy of order picking processes.
Such innovations underscore four foundational principles for advancing picking systems: improving efficiency and accuracy, reducing order fulfillment time, integrating advanced technology, and enhancing customer experience. As e-commerce continues to grow, fulfillment centers are poised to adopt more sophisticated technologies to meet the evolving demands of consumers.