Improving the order picking efficiency by optimising the orders’ sequence

Abstract

One particular activity that substantially affects the efficiency of material flow within supply chains, and which is located within the distribution centre, is order picking. The performance of an order picking system is typically determined by batching, picking sequence, storage policy, zoning, layout design, picking equipment and design of picking information. The main research problem in this paper was to investigate whether the sequence of order execution can have an effect on the performance of the order picking system. The original bound cavities method has been developed, which defines the sequence of execution of received orders in “pick and pass” systems, where the tendency is to perform zone changes in places where there is a continuity of no items for extraction. The paper shows the total picking time and time saving calculations, as well as benefits of its use, which are proven through simulation models of a zone order picking system with two and three pickers.