Overview
The Dematic Automated Piece Pick for Automatic Replenishment System uses an automated storage sub-system with flow rack and conveyor to automatically refill pick faces. Dematic Software manages reserve inventory and the inventory quantity at active pick faces. The system provides quick response times to refill prick faces with minimal labor.
The system processes orders in multiple configurations: mixed case pallets, reverse route sequence delivery, and sort to parcel carrier. It can be used to distribute products for retail store replenishment, route delivery, and customer direct e-commerce. Typical users include retailers of groceries, general merchandise, apparel, pharmacies, and office supplies. Other users include business-to-business distributors and producers of consumable and durable products.
Benefits
- Process improvements for optimized workflows
- Improved service levels, accuracy, and responsiveness
- Flexible and configurable with re-usable assets
- Real-time control, visibility, and insight of operations
System description
The Dematic Automated Piece Pick for Automatic Replenishment System has a pre-engineered, standardized design configuration that ensures predictable picking performance. Here is the general order of how the system functions:
- Inbound Receiving and Storage: Inventory received is inducted via decanting process into automated storage. Dematic WES software directs put-away and location management strategy.
- Replenish Pick Modules: Dematic WES software directs the automated storage sub-system to replenish pick faces on demand.
- Picking: The picking process uses order-container-to-zone methodology and pick-to-light technology. Conveyor transports completed order containers outbound shipping.
- Outbound Shipping: The conveyor brings the order containers to either a palletizing station or to parcel shipping.
System management
The Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages a continuous flow of orders for processing downloaded from the Warehouse Management System (WMS). The WMS is responsible for the overall operation of the facility, including inbound receiving and outbound shipping.
The Dematic WES software is a scalable logistics software platform responsible for directing, controlling, and synchronizing workflows. It dynamically manages processes, inventory, workforce, and material handling automation in real time.
The Dematic WES software is responsible for put away and inducting inventory into the automated storage sub-system. In addition, the WES software directs picking, accommodates load move requests to replenish the pick faces, and facilitates outbound activities such as palletizing and consolidating order containers bound for parcel shippers.
The Dematic WES software includes supervisor interface screens such as global view of transfers to the pick modules, order picking, order pick performance, system progress, order information, picks per operator, and total picks.
Warehouse Management System (Host)
- Order entry
- Inventory
Fulfillment orders
Status and completion
Dematic Warehouse Execution System
- Direct put away, decanting
- Inventory storage location management
- Order management and execution
- Direct picking, balance workload
- Order attributes, priority, changes
- Synchronize and optimize processes
- Direct pick face replenishment
- Track and trace, visibility and insight
Comparison
The Dematic Automated Piece Pick for Automatic Replenishment System is more accurate, requires less labor to operate, and is more efficient than conventional picking systems for pick face replenishment.
| Conventional Replenishment System | Automated Replenishment System |
| Requires large floorspace | Requires less floorspace |
| Manual storage and retrieval | Automated storage and retrieval |
| Manual pick face replenishment | Automated pick face replenishment |
| Non-strategic picking | Strategic and synchronized picking |
| Pick to shipping container on cart | Pick to shipping container on conveyor |
| Creates replenishment errors: wrong SKU in pick face, out of stocks, slow refill response | Software optimizes complex pick face replenishment process |
| Requires more workforce to increase throughput | Automation optimizes system usage |
| Limited visibility and insight into operations | Advanced workflow management, real-time control, visibility, and insight |