High-speed order fulfillment system: Swisslog has created a
new high-speed order fulfillment system tailored to the e-commerce market. Called “Click&Pick,” the system combines
Swisslog’s AutoStore inventory storage technology and high-speed pick stations with its fulfillment software suite.
Click&Pick helps companies boost both their fulfillment throughput and stock-keeping-unit (SKU) density, the company says.
The system uses Swisslog’s high-speed picking and selecting
technology to increase productivity to levels as high as 1,000
picks per selector per hour. Swisslog says that Click&Pick enables
orders to be filled more than five times faster than with manual
shelving systems.
In addition, the system uses robots for put-away and storage.
Workers insert bins into the storage cube via one or more receiving stations, at which time the robots take over for the actual
put-away work.
The solution also uses Swisslog’s AutoStore inventory storage
technology to help companies cube out the warehouse and
leverage all valuable space. The system enables a typical space
reduction of 60 percent compared with storing SKUs in static bin
shelving. The vertical storage cube design enables Click&Pick to
use almost every cubic foot of a distribution center from the floor
to the ceiling.
Another benefit of Click&Pick is its flexible and scalable infrastructure, according to Swisslog. In the AutoStore inventory storage technology, slower-moving SKUs descend to the bottom of
each stack, while faster-moving SKUs continually percolate to the
top of the stack. In addition, the number of robots working at
the top of the storage cube can be increased as needed. This
helps manage fluctuations in shipping volumes.
The design of the system also improves the work environment
for a company’s associates, according to Swisslog. The system’s
workstations present bins to operators at the ideal ergonomic
position, thereby eliminating unnecessary bending and stretching. Click&Pick also reduces warehouse noise and improves
cleanliness compared with conveyor and other technologies, says
the company. (Swisslog, www.swisslog.com/IRCE)
Pick-to-light operator: Banner Engineering has
introduced the EZ-Light K50 Touch, a rugged
lighted operator designed for easy and efficient
pick-to-light and lean manufacturing processes.
The K50 Touch allows users to easily change
the light from green to red with the touch of a
finger, hand, or whole palm. The unit requires
no physical pressure to operate; as a result, it
reduces stress on hands and wrists from constantly pressing buttons to verify correct picks during pick-and-place operations.
K50 Touch operators are available in one-, two-, and three-color models.
The device is extremely durable and can withstand harsh conditions and moisture for challenging environments, the manufacturer says. Plus, the self-contained device eliminates the need
for an external controller. Solid-state technology allows for a very
long service life compared with traditional mechanical solutions.
(Banner Engineering, www.bannerengineering.com)
Ergonomic tilters: The
Maxx-Ergo Tilters from Lift
Products are designed to tilt containers, tubs, wire baskets, and
boxes.
The tilters make it easier for
warehouse workers to
retrieve or place parts into
a container. The products
use a manual pump to tilt
the container up to a 40-degree angle. They have a
capacity of 2,000 to 3,000 pounds, which allows them to
handle most applications.
The base model has a lowered height of 9 inches. The
adjustable-height base frame has a height adjustment of 18 to
22 inches. Optional casters can be added to either the standard
or adjustable-height models—the casters add an additional 7. 5
inches to the height. Customers can also order a fixed raised
base.
A 4-inch lip is standard on all models, and custom lips are
available. Fork pockets are standard on all models. (Lift Products,
www.liftproducts.com)
Cloud-based parcel management solution: One Network
Enterprises (ONE), a provider of supply chain solutions in the
cloud, has added ONE Parcel Management to its ONE Intelligent
Logistics solution suite.
ONE Parcel Management delivers a cloud-based parcel management solution for any size parcel carrier. The solution provides
a Web-based track and trace tool that also enables parcel-relat-ed transactions. With ONE Parcel Management, users can
remotely scan and create bar-code labels. They can also digitally
capture proof-of-delivery signatures and create documents.
The technology also integrates mobile devices to the user’s
planning and optimization solutions and enables collaboration
between shippers and their clients as well as the entire network
of parcel carriers, agents, and affiliates.
In addition, ONE Parcel Management can help users find and
manage the most efficient routes for their parcels. The solution
uses sophisticated multi-leg planning routines to dynamically
optimize pickup and delivery of parcels as well as linehaul movements between depots, terminals, and other facilities. (One
Network, www.onenetwork.com)
Early-morning delivery service: UPS has expanded its early-morning delivery coverage by extending the number of ZIP codes
eligible for its critical 8 a.m. delivery option as well as the number of ZIP codes served by 10: 30 a.m. with its regular express
service.
The latest U.S. coverage expansion involved more than 2,600
Early A.M. and Next Day Air ZIP codes. More than 80 percent of
all U.S. businesses now can receive guaranteed early-morning
UPS deliveries. A complete list of the UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.
ZIP codes with committed delivery times is available on ups.com.
(UPS, ups.com)
