DC Velocity - July 2019

« Abuse Resistant Belts work where others fail. « Super Strong Joints are virtually unbreakable. « High Tension Belts move heavier loads.

« Super Red Belts double capacity.

Dura-Belt 800-770-2358 614-777-0295 Fax: 614-777-9448 www.durabelt.com Better than

Lifetime Warranty

Longer Lasting Belts

New Split Line-shaft Spools

l High precision. Reasonable price.
l Easy to install. Zero downtime.
l Can be locked to shaft. Eliminates
need for keyed spools and shafts.

We use 100% virgin
urethane (no regrind
waste). Makes stronger,
longer lasting belts.

Longer lasting Belts, New Split Spools -- no regrind:Layout 1 8/26/2009 4: 37 AM Page 1

information technology (IT) system. Companies running homegrown or legacy systems may find it difficult to implement new processes, for example, simply because their systems were not designed to accommodate today’s advanced software and applications. Saenz points to batch picking as an example here, as well.

“You need to understand the limitations
you have on the software side,” he explains.
“A lot of systems out there may be limited
in doing batch picking, for example. And if
your system can’t do it, you’d have to make
some changes or adjustments.”
That often means investing in a more
advanced software package or a ware-
house management system (WMS) that is
designed to manage inventory, orders, and
people, he adds.

“There are a lot of legacy systems in the market that can only do so much,” Saenz explains. “At some point, you need to make a change. The step to a WMS is a big one, but it’s needed at some point.”

3CONSIDER LAYOUT, EQUIPMENT, METRICS

Next comes facility layout and design. It’s important to ensure that material flows through the distribution center logically, and that workers have an efficient pick path. Proper signs and labeling can help improve productivity by leading workers to the right location, Saenz points out. Proper slotting of products—that is, where and how you store each item to be picked—is also important. Some items may be most easily accessible on shelves, while other items may require a carton-flow system (racking in which items are loaded from the back and slide forward to replenish what is picked) and still others may require full pallets. Design consultants and equipment manufacturers can help DC managers navigate the process and determine the most efficient layout and combination of equipment.

“We’re targeting usually a week’s worth
of items in a pick location—[and that may
require] three or more different types of
storage equipment,” Saenz explains, add-
ing that designs should limit congestion
and travel distance to improve productiv-
ity. “Layout, flow, equipment, slotting …
“Some of the quickest wins
[are from] batch picking,” Saenz
explains. “You take someone pick-
ing one and have them pick more.
It’s important to take a look at the
basics of how the process is being
run and see if there are opportuni-
ties for batch picking.”
Mark Neuwirth, executive vice
president of business development
for order-picking solutions provid-
er Unex Manufacturing, adds that
accuracy and throughput should
guide the evaluation. Any chang-
es or enhancements to the process
must improve both elements, he
explains.

“Any pick system—whether it be manual, automated, or a combination of both—must deliver 100 percent accuracy at maximum achievable throughputs,” Neuwirth says. “Achieving 100 percent accuracy at the cost of throughput does not deliver profits. Achieving a maximum throughput at the cost of accuracy does not keep customers. The process of choosing a new pick system is akin to getting the right water temperature at a spigot, with the hot being accuracy and the cold being throughput. Your pick-ing-system choice must be the right temperature that delivers a constant flow of both.”