Sep 11, 2023

Order-picking technology is vital to the success of any distribution center, no matter the size, volume of inventory, or choice of products. The list of available services includes wearable products, traditional barcode scanners, RFID, and robotics. But which technology is best for you? It’s important to create a well-coordinated evaluation process so that you can put the right tools in your worker’s hands.

4 Challenges Distribution Centers Expect to Keep Facing

The right picking technology can help you optimize your warehouse's operations, increase worker productivity, and improve the accuracy of your order fulfillment process. Before you can choose the RIGHT PICKING TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR WAREHOUSE, you must consider what exactly your particular workplace may need, which can be done through a comprehensive pre-deployment evaluation. Here are four common challenges decision-makers keep in mind when considering optimization:

1. Increasing Order Volumes – It’s a fact: the digital area has ushered in exponential growth in online orders and digital transactions. You need to determine how many orders your warehouse processes daily, weekly, and monthly for accurate forecasting. This information will help you decide which picking technology is most appropriate for your warehouse. For example, if you process a high volume of orders, you may need a more advanced picking technology that can handle a larger workload. Be sure to also factor in any spikes in volume when events such as holidays come up.
2. Increasing Order Complexity – Another factor to note is the complexity of your orders as stock-keeping units become ever more proliferated. If your orders are relatively simple, composed of fewer SKUs located in a smaller facility a simple automated data capture system may be better suitable since digitizes inventory management and leaves room for eventual growth. However, facilities handling multiple similar SKUs in fast-paced environments may find more success with wearable and RFID solutions to speed up fulfillment without risking mis-picks.
3. Handling Sensitive Stock – The characteristics of your products are also essential to consider when evaluating your warehouse's needs. For example, if you store and ship fragile or hazardous products, like perishable foods or pharmaceuticals, you may need a picking technology that registers storage temperature, idle time, quality checks, and expiration dates to ensure consumer safety after products leave the facility.
4. Warehouse Space Constraints – The layout of your warehouse is critical when choosing the right picking technology. You need to account for the size of your warehouse, the placement of your products, and the distance between your products and your picking stations. This information will help you determine range requirements, potential interference, and unavoidable bottlenecks.

Comparing Handheld and Hands-free Systems for Optimal Picking Efficiency

When it comes to optimizing picking efficiency in the workplace, decision-makers may find themselves choosing between traditional handheld systems and flexible hands-free solutions. Both have their own unique advantages, and it's important to understand these in order to determine which solution is best for your business.

Wearable devices, for example, are designed to provide workers with real-time information and guidance while they perform their tasks. One of the main advantages of wearables is that they provide workers with a hands-free solution that generally results in increased worker safety and up to 30% more productivity. Wearable computers, ring scanners, and headsets can all come together to form future-forward voice-picking solutions, minimizing training time and speeding up fulfillment by leveraging muscle movement. As expected, wearable solutions hinge on dependable connectivity, which means warehouses should assess their wireless system to prevent connectivity issues.

On the other hand, Android handheld systems leverage familiarity since most workers may already be accustomed to smartphones. Enterprise-grade mobile devices similar to Honeywell’s CT47 combine ease of use with higher durability standards, intelligent scanning abilities, and a flexible platform to integrate your preferred picking applications. The result is a fully automated data processing system that fits in your team’s hands. Depending on your selection, handheld devices can later be paired with RFID sleds to further expand your tracking system and deliver real-time insights. Furthermore, handheld devices can be tailored to match your environmental needs and workflows. Vehicle-mounted computers like the Thor VM1A can switch between forklift and handheld uses. Flexible read ranges can extend up to 80ft depending on your device, empowering several warehouse tasks besides order picking. Last but not least, the Granit XP 1991iXR provides a foundational start to digitized data capture by seamlessly scanning and verifying barcodes for items within an order. As a leader in adaptable modernization, Heartland also supports inventory tagging with dependable label printers like the PX65 to ensure stock can be tracked from the moment it enters your facility.

Taking the Next Step Toward Deployment

With business challenges exposed, it’s time to begin selecting what tools you want for your warehouse. By working alongside an experienced solution provider, businesses can outline measurable goals for their picking systems. Objectives often take the following points into consideration:

1. Products to Be Scanned – The type of products you are handling is another important factor in this decision-making process. If, for example, you are dealing with cold chain management, you will want tools that can handle extreme temperature changes.
2. Projected Inventory Volume – It’s also important to think about the volume of products you are handling and the speed at which they need to be selected. The goal should be to help improve efficiency and reduce the risk of errors, allowing you to get products out the door faster. At the same time, your solution provider should encourage you to note return rates and instances of product shrinkage to accurately determine volume fluctuations over time.      
3. Budgetary Constraints Post-Deployment – When selecting picking technology, it is also important to consider the cost of implementation and maintenance after your system is launched. Be sure to establish your budget, as there are both initial costs and long-term fees such as maintenance and potential repairs.
4. Staff Training – Finally, it is important to consider what potential training your workers may need to go through. Some products and software may require more extensive training for your staff than others, so it is important to factor this into your decision-making process. You want to ensure that your staff is comfortable and confident using the technology to help improve efficiency and reduce the risk of errors.

Choosing the right tools to optimize order picking presents a lot of variables. With Heartland and Honeywell, that decision can be made easily, with our team of experts ready to build you a customized picking solution. gain more insight about the potential of Heartland and Honeywell picking technology and how it can help improve your warehouse efficiency.