Pick to Cart technology revolutionizes warehouse order picking by optimizing routes and minimizing errors. By using smart carts and advanced picking systems, this method enhances productivity, operational flexibility, and overall warehouse efficiency. It ensures better inventory management and faster fulfillment processes. Want to know how the Pick to Cart system can boost your warehouse efficiency? Keep reading!
What is pick-to-cart technology?
Pick to Cart is a warehouse management technique that optimizes order picking through the use of picking carts. In this system, warehouse workers collect the requested products directly from these carts, allowing for more efficient and accurate picking. Picking carts can be different types of internal warehouse transport elements, such as order pickers. Currently, they are equipped with a set of wireless light modules.
When should the Pick to Cart method be used?
Picking with carts is especially recommended in the following situations within a warehouse:
- If there is a high concentration of stored SKUs, so movement is limited.
- If the products in stock are small and easily transportable.
- If there are many orders with common SKUs. This way, you would go to the specific location and pick them all at the same time.
- If the number of SKUs is limited, since the greater the number of SKUs handled, the more complex their classification will be (and more prone to errors).
Benefits of the Pick to Cart method for warehouse efficiency
The Pick to Cart method offers several solutions during the order preparation process:
Increased productivity
It provides mobility and flexibility, offering the possibility of preparing several orders simultaneously. Consequently, an optimal route is achieved in the warehouse, eliminating unnecessary trips. All of this leads to increased productivity.
Personalization
Current Pick to Cart systems are equipped with devices for each compartment that can be customized according to the needs of each warehouse or distribution center. The number of orders to be prepared is taken into account, as well as the dimensions of the products, for example. The Pick to Cart method is perfectly compatible with Pick to Light, Pick to Voice, or Radio Frequency systems, devices that greatly assist in the task of order picking, as we explain later.
Error Reduction
Thanks to pick-to-cart solutions, errors in order picking are drastically reduced, resulting in lower costs.
Real-Time Communications
The pick-to-cart method allows the system to be informed in real time of the picking status. Furthermore, inventory remains up-to-date thanks to direct communication through the WMS, boosting productivity and flexibility during order picking.
Types of Picking Carts
The selection of the picking cart also has a direct impact on the productivity of the Pick to Cart. For example, its dimensions and the material it is made of can limit its maneuverability. We highlight the following types of picking carts:
- Roll containers or transport cages: These are metal carts surrounded by grids that allow for the safe transport of packages. In pick-to-carts, they usually have horizontal shelves that multiply their capacity.
- Picking carts with drawers: Each container is usually marked with a barcode. This is read along with the barcode of the product placed inside, so that the warehouse management system knows the location of each item. At the end of the entire picking round, the items are packed for shipping.
- Picking carts prepared for pick-to-box: with the pick-to-box method, the package where the product will be sent is preselected and the picking route begins, placing the items directly inside the box.
- Picking carts for special products: like picking shelves, carts can be designed taking into account the characteristics of the stored items and, for example, some have bars for hanging clothes.
Technology to speed up Pick to Cart
With the aim of increasing Pick to Cart productivity and improving ergonomics, a new generation of picking carts has emerged, called smart carts. Their main feature is that they are connected to the warehouse management system.
Many of these smart carts have integrated light-based picking indicators that alert the operator to any missing items.
Is the pick-to-cart method always the best option?
Not always. Pick to Cart is not recommended in the following cases:
- If there is a high volume of orders, as the traffic generated in the aisles could congest the facility. One solution to this problem may be the installation of a box conveyor circuit that connects the different areas of the warehouse.
- If long distances must be covered. In this case, to gain speed, it would be better to use electric handling equipment, such as order pickers or pallet trucks.
- If the stored products are bulky or difficult to handle manually. Even if they don’t seem too heavy at first glance, the sum of all the factors must be considered.
It is not possible to achieve efficiency in Pick to Cart without a warehouse management system that promotes the design of picking routes and organizes operations. It’s also impossible to implement this method without identification devices that transmit process information to the WMS, such as radio frequency terminals or voice picking systems.
Despite its apparent simplicity, Pick to Cart remains an order preparation method that offers interesting advantages and can even coexist with other picking methodologies in the same facility. The important thing is to thoroughly analyze the characteristics of the types of orders and products in your warehouse and try to find the most effective formula.
Would you like to implement the Pick to Cart method in your warehouse but don’t know where to start? Consult with Partida Logistics now! A team of experts will help you every step of the way until you achieve your goal.
