Legends and myths voice selection and selection of PICK-TO-LIGHT
On the pros and cons of using various screening technologies says in his article Smehnov Anton, Business Analyst, Trainer, PhD, Head of Audit and Optimization.
Quite often, in the practice of the optimization of warehouse logistics projects have to meet with the initial request in the form of "we want to implement in the warehouse barcoding, and yet we need the voice command" or "selection on the terminals." And since lower following arguments have to repeatedly pronounce different clients, I decided to present them on paper.
First of all it should be clearly understood that the bar coding, data collection terminal, voice selection and WMS (Warehouse Management System) is the only tools for solving problems, not a goal. And if at home we sometimes allow ourselves to buy cool gadgets heaped up just for the sake of what they were in the business of such an approach is unlikely to admissible. The tool in everyday life can be on the shelf for the sake of aesthetics, a tool in the business must be profitable, otherwise it is a direct loss.
There is nothing new in these words there. Any owner is well aware of this axiom. But the desire to solve all problems at one time makes even such pragmatic people believe in the magic wand of new technologies. Magic technology deliberately created selling managers when a customer paint a rosy picture. But the magic dissipates immediately after detailed examination of the technology. Well if this is at a preparatory stage. Much sadder if understanding comes only when money has already been spent, and the expected result is not obtained.
Next, we detail consider several selection techniques and try to separate reality from illusion. On Barcoding and WMS will not stop, because it is a separate and broader theme, which touch in this article the author is not planned.
So, as the initial conditions take targeted warehouse running WMS. We believe that using any selection technology in the job selection to have the opportunity to specify all necessary data: storing addresses commodity name, quantity of goods. We also believe that it is possible to specify any supporting information (which is actually not the case and depends on the professionalism of the company and the introduction of WMS capabilities): the quantity of goods in boxes and pieces, automatic selection of empty boxes for packing goods, special packaging conditions, etc. List of products in the list is sorted so that the selector passed to the warehouse on the optimal route, put the goods on the pallet / box in compliance with the required priority: heavy / light, strong / fragile, etc. (That, too, is not offered by all the companies introduction).
Refine by paper
The most clear and simple method is to obtain jobs in the selection of paper.
Technology Advantages:
+ The most simple and inexpensive to implement;
+ High sampling rate (for further comparison, we will speed this selection method 1);
+ Very flexible and easy to use (change of shape selection sheet selectors regulations obtaining jobs, etc. can be made a minimum of effort without the involvement of the introduction of specialists);
+ Selector sees a full list of the goods and can make more optimal packing of goods collected.
Disadvantages:
- There is no automatic control of the selection of the correct execution of operations (selector can skip the line, can take goods from another cell, can take other items);
- The appearance of "flaws" (the inability to select the desired amount of goods) requires a relatively time-consuming operation adjustments job selection on the desktop computer;
- The fact selection is recorded in the system only after the selection, respectively, reliable information on the contents of the cells appear only after the confirmation of selection sheets, which makes difficult the work of the auditors checking the remnants of the goods;
- To fix the selections selector should carry a selection sheet and a pen.
Selection terminals of the collection (TSD)
Tasks for the selection of selector receives the TSD.
Technology Advantages:
+ Carried out step by step the automatic control of the implementation of operations; selector scans the bar code of the cell from which it takes the product bar code of goods or pallets / boxes, bar code pallet / box which puts the goods, thus system controls every action, and only what may be wrong selector is in the quantity of the goods;
+ Instant reflection of information in the system for all transactions carried out;
+ There is no need for adjustments in the job selection on a stationary workplace, all adjustments are entered into the system directly from the TSD in fact executed / canceled / modified selection with the reasons, if required.
Disadvantages:
- A relatively expensive technology, as TSD requires the purchase of expensive and deploy a wireless network in the territory of the warehouse;
- Confirmation of each action on a TSD is time consuming, resulting in a reduction rate selection by 10-20% compared with a paper selection;
- To fix the selections selector must carry TSD.
Voice selection
Tasks for the selection of selector receives a voice command in the headphones.
Technology Advantages:
+ When the selector selection at free hand; (In reality, plus a very dubious, because no TSD, no paper at the time of the selection of the selectors in the hands of the same do not hold. TSD hung on the belt, put the paper on the tray / box to collect the goods.)
+ Carried out step by step the automatic control of the implementation of operations; pronounces cell selector code from which takes the product, product code number;
+ Instant reflection of information in the system for all transactions carried out;
+ There is no need for adjustments in the job selection on a stationary workplace.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive technology, as used rarely required, and accordingly expensive software and hardware devices; value of 1.5 - 2 times higher than for a TSD technology;
- Confirmation of each action, and voice commands to the hearing perception (with retries) takes a considerable time, which reduces the speed of selection of 20-30% with respect to the paper selection.
This is not all of the existing screening technology, but let's focus on listed and compared. A comparison of the most significant drawback of the paper selection - no automatic control of the operation performed. As a result, it will lead to a relatively large peresortam (relative to other selection methods). As far as this matter can be estimated by knowing the value of goods and the rhythm of the warehouse. If it is a low-cost product and customers are sensitive to situations with peresortom, it is possible that there is no urgent need for a radical anti-peresortami. All the more so, the decline peresorta goods can be achieved by other means. For example, a well thought-out layout in the selection area. If the issue price is high and to reduce peresortov necessary to introduce additional control of the goods prior to shipment, it probably makes sense to think about the use of other screening technologies.
When using the TSD the number of human errors is reduced by an order. The system does not allow the selectors to perform the operation on another cell and other goods (the situation with the deliberate sabotage and exceptional stupidity selector do not consider, since if the selector scans the barcode with a single product, and takes another, then no system will not help here) . However, it should be clearly understood that improved control takes time. Accordingly, by selecting the TSD rate lower than paper.
Voice selection technology allows hands-free selector. However, the business problem is not that would free the hands of the selector! Selector has to quickly and accurately collect the goods! Here we have the most expensive technology (of the above), with the lowest rate of screening and middle-monitoring accuracy. Selector saves 1-2 seconds on the fact that he did not need to reach for the leaf on the box or the terminal on a belt, and then spend much more time on the perception of a voice command and its confirmation! Moreover, due to the high load on the psyche voice confirmation (pronunciation of code / cell number, product, quantity) in most cases it is used in a very truncated version - only the word "YES" is requested in support of the operation of the selector. Comments on the quality of the controls, I think, unnecessary... Thus, the selection of voice technology is not more than an expensive toy. According to parameters such as quality, speed and price, it loses the traditional paper selection and application of the TSD. Manager offering you such technology is not exactly care about your business, but only on their sales.
At the end of the article we consider another interesting technology Pick-to-Light
Technology Pick-to-Light is fundamentally different from the above. And if you hear about this technology for the first time it is possible that at some point will be feeling it ideal...
The essence of technology is. All cells with a product labeled LEDs with buttons. For setting the system reported that the selector has come to the appropriate corridor and is ready to begin the selection of the assignment. The system loads the lights quantity that you want to select with the appropriate storage locations. Selector sees the cell from which to make the selection. The display shows the quantity of goods that you want to select. Selector sequentially passes from one cell with the indicator light to another. Selects the required quantity and confirms the selection by pressing the button on the display. If for some reason it can not select a specified number of goods, selector reduces the number on the display, and confirms it.
Just imagine. Monitoring is carried out! The rate is higher than for paper technology! Hands free! … Well? We are ready to believe that it is the ideal solution? ...
And now let's try to understand how things all in fact. Control cells certainly occurs. But the product control and just general use of this technology is permissible in the case of each product is allocated a single cell. Two of the goods stored in a single cell is not allowed.
Speed selection is really grows about 1.5 times as compared to the paper selection, but the technology restricts - in the same corridor / row / rack can simultaneously operate only one selector picking order. And this is a very significant limitation, since in the case of an emergency work is not even possible to increase the assembly rate of increase in the number of staff.
No less important issue cost of the system. The most expensive part of this technology is the cost of installation and maintenance of information and supply for the light panels. Thousands of compounds on the network so reduce reliability of the system that maintenance costs become a significant value. The use of this technology on a standard pallet storage warehouses with the goods in racking systems becomes impossible because of the astronomical cost.
However, despite these drawbacks and limitations of the technology pick-to-light has a niche applications. Its use may not be economically justified in small areas, with small precious commodity not subject to labeling.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution. But as is known, for successful business and need not ideal. It is quite cost-effective. And the choice is yours ...
