Working Group: Increase of Process Efficiency in Manual Order Picking Systems

Order Picking is one of the most labor- and time-consuming processes in warehouses. The majority of the companies employ manual order picking processes. It is estimated that more than 80 % of warehouses use manual order picking and order picking accounts for about 50 % of the operating costs. Many companies rely on manual processes despite the high cost effect and technical possibilities for automated processes.

The high flexibility of humans, which so far are not economically replaceable by machines, could be one reason for this development. In addition, highly automated systems are often expensive and inflexible.

The aim of the working group is to identify factors influencing the efficiency of manual order picking processes. Therefore data should be gathered based on expert talks, questionnaires and data provided by the participating companies. The recorded data will be used for a simulation model to quantify influencing factors. Hereby factors, which increase the efficiency of processes, will be identified.

Key Data:

Runtime: May 2015 to October 2015

Partners:

  • DAW SE,
  • Merck KGaA,
  • STIHL Vertriebszentrale AG & Co. KG,
  • Technische Universität Darmstadt