Order Picking with Heterogeneous Technologies: An Integrated Article-to-Device Assignment and Manpower Allocation Problem

Abstract

Current order picking technologies are characterized by different degrees of automation. Irrespective of the automation level, order picking remains a labor-intensive process. Hence, the decisions on the deployment of installed technologies and on labor utilization are interdependent. We develop two planning approaches for an integrative decision support. In comparison to the simultaneous approach the sequential one induces coordination deficits, but less computational effort. In order to inquire into the behavior of both approaches, we conduct a numerical study using sampled data of a pharmaceutical wholesaler.