Pick Modules
Order picking is a critical operation of all Distribution Centers and there are various ways to accomplish it. Streamline your warehouse operations by implementing a pick module system into your operations. A pick module will help your team get orders together faster with various features that help organize and transport items throughout the warehouse.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Pick Module?
- How Pick Modules Work
- Benefits of Pick Modules
- Why Siggins?
- Learn More About Pick Modules
What Is a Pick Module?
Pick module systems are rack structures that enable efficient storage and quick picking of products for order fulfillment. Many pick module systems use conveyors to help move items throughout the warehouse or distribution center. Using pick modules in a warehouse helps speed up the picking process, expediting order fulfillment. You could use a single or multi-level pick module to increase operational efficiency.
A module can be customized and adjusted to meet your needs. Many distribution centers utilize the amount of vertical space the building has by installing multi-level pick modules.
When you use pick modules for your warehouse, you'll see a difference in your operational performance. Picking documentation can be transmitted to the picker by paper, RF, Pick to Light and Voice.
How Pick Modules Work
Before pick modules, many picking operations require the picker to travel up and down storage media aisles pushing carts until they find the items that are required to fulfill the customer's order. The items are placed in the cart and the order is consolidated and taken to a central drop off point for packing and manifesting for shipment.
Another method of picking is: Instead of the picker randomly traveling aisles of storage media, high-speed Pick Modules can be used. This will allow placement of hot selling, higher velocity items into a concentrated area. By allowing multiple pickers to work one, two or three picking levels, multiple items can be quickly picked. Normally, a center conveyor is located in the aisle so that completed orders on either side can be placed on the conveyor to be automatically transported to order consolidation, packing and manifesting areas. This houses the highest velocity items. These items may be picked by "Pick to Light" which is where lights will illuminate over the product to be picked with the number of items to be picked, or by "Voice Pick" whereby the instructions for picking are communicated to the picker by a headset. Additional items that are not highly picked items, but still are not the slowest of the slow, can be housed into shelving or case pick rack. These can also be arranged with a central conveyor allowing pickers to move in and out of the aisles to pick and then deposit the order on the conveyor for takeaway.
Slow moving items can still be placed in pallet rack or case pick rack but may be outside the Pick Module area. These items will not require many picks per day or week, thereby requiring fewer trips to pick and improving overall efficiency.
Benefits of Pick Modules
Pick modules offer many advantages for warehouses and distribution centers. They're specifically designed to enhance order fulfillment, increase operational speed and decrease costs. When using a pick module, enjoy benefits such as:
- Saving on labor costs.
- Expediting the order fulfillment process.
- Consolidating warehouse space.
- Increasing pick rates.
- Reducing the amount of walking for workers.
- Enhancing operational workflow.
Using a pick module also provides flexibility because you can adjust it to suit your needs.
Why Siggins?
At Siggins, we ensure you receive the storage equipment and systems your company needs to maintain order fulfillment and operational efficiency. Since 1946, we've developed and increased our expertise in the general material handling industry to help customers make the most of their operations.
Our commitment to helping customers shows through the time we take to get to know your organization and goals. After we understand your objectives, we'll work with you to create a pick module system that suits your processes. Every plan is customized to your needs and wants.
Trust Siggins for your pick module system. We'll help you customize your pick module with features tailored to meet your needs. Our team will consider the following factors and more as we design a solution for your warehouse:
- Facility configuration and layout
- Product dimensions
- Desired and current rates of operation
- Operational workflow
- Labor availability
Learn More About Pick Modules
When you want to implement a new pick module system in your warehouse or distribution center, Siggins can help. As an industry leader in quality storage management solutions, we'll ensure the pick modules you use to expedite order fulfillment operations increase efficiency.
To learn more about our pick module solutions, contact us and schedule an appointment for an introductory conference.
