The new Negative-PUT process optimises case picking productivity by pairing suitable orders and fulfilling them through a high rate, integrated goods to the man pick module.
Dematic’s Industry Logistics Manager, David Rubie, said the Negative-PUT process takes advantage of a practice sometimes used by experienced pickers to reduce their workload.
"Smart pickers will occasionally notice that among the orders they have there are a couple with which they can kill two birds with one stone, or, in this case, complete two orders with one pick," said Mr Rubie.
"This practice is very opportunistic, however, our systematic approach identifies all negative pick opportunities creating substantial productivity gains."
Dematic’s patented Negative-PUT software uses a number of complex algorithms to re-sequence orders to generate the highest quantity of negative pick opportunities and the optimum order fulfillment sequence for any batch of orders.
The Negative-PUT process is fulfilled through ergonomically designed goods to the man pick modules. Bringing stock to the picker and ‘putting’ the stock to orders, instead of transporting orders past stock eliminates the time wasted travelling between picks, further optimizing productivity and throughput.
