Automated Storage Systems Optimize Goods-to-Person Order Fulfillment

Modern distribution centers as well as production kitting operations, are realizing greater productivity and efficiency with improved worker ergonomics by combining automated storage with goods-to-person processes.

“Goods-to-person” means that the order picker stays at a workstation, and the automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) brings the goods or stock keeping units (SKUs) to the person.

At the workstation, operators remove SKUs from the storage containers and then sends the containers back to the AS/RS. The basic system components include an automated storage and retrieval sub-system for the product inventory, the workstations, a conveyance method to bring the SKUs to the workstations, and software to synchronize and control the flow of inventory.