An Asymmetric Polling-Based Optimization Model in a Dynamic Order Picking System

Abstract

The timeliness of order deliveries seriously impacts customers’ evaluation of logistics services and, hence, has increasingly received attention. Due to the diverse and large quantities of orders under the background of electronic commerce, how to pick orders efficiently while also adapting these features has become one of the most challenging problems for distribution centers. However, previous studies have not accounted for the differences in the stochastic characteristics of order generation, which may lead to asymmetric optimization problems. With this in mind, a new asymmetric polling-based model that assumes the varying stochastic characteristics to analyze such order picking systems is put forward. In addition, two important indicators of the system, mean queue length (MQL) and mean waiting time (MWT), are derived by using probability-generating functions and the embedded Markov chain. Then, simulation experiments and a comparison of the numerical and theoretical results are conducted, showing the usefulness and practicalities of the proposed model. Finally, the paper discusses the characteristics of the novel order picking system and the influence of the MQL and MWT on it.