Dematic Gmbh

Fredrick D Herlacher

Anthony W Hasman

Philip J Puite

Jack Tuinstra

Jeff Gibson

Martin Thomas

A system and method is provided for controlling an automated warehouse or order fulfillment facility. The system includes a sequencing tower, which functions as a buffer for inbound items and shipping containers, and various pick/decant workstations which are connected between the sequencing tower and an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The sequencing tower is adapted for receiving, storing, and releasing newly erected shipping containers and inbound vendor cases. The pick/decant workstations function as a hub between the sequencing tower and the ASRS, where operators at the pick/decant workstations pick order items to shipping containers to fulfil orders or pick inbound/vendor items to inventory containers to be stored in the ASRS. The system and methods synchronize the sequencing tower and ASRS to release items to arrive at the workstations simultaneously to optimize efficiency and throughput of the facility.

System and method for order fulfillment sequencing and facility management

A method and system for fulfilling orders includes establishing a queue of orders that are available to be filled, each order in the queue containing at least one unique item type. An order from the order queue is selected and opened as a first order. Another order from the order queue is selected and opened as a second order. Inventory containers each having a unique item type for at least one of the orders are delivered and an operator picks the unique item type from the inventory container. The orders are assembled at order assembly locations that are a particular distance from the operator. The orders are selected and/or the assembly locations assigned in a manner that improves order fulfillment productivity, such as by reducing order fulfillment time, reducing operator travel distance, and the like.

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Fredrick D Herlacher