Pick by Light: How this system improves warehouse efficiency
Competitiveness is a key success factor in any business, and companies that also carry out logistics activities gain competitive advantages by implementing the right software solutions. There are different types of warehouses, but they all have in common the need to reorganise on a modern basis, bringing more efficiency through automation, customization, upgrades. Here’s how this bold goal can be achieved using innovative systems like Pick by Light.
What is Pick by Light and how it works
The Pick by Light system is a warehouse management solution that uses LED lights to show workers where to find and where to pick up products needed for an order from. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) incorporating Pick by Light integrate the equipment needed to use this technology to guide operators through the process of picking products from shelves or areas where they are stored in the warehouse.
Instead of receiving written instructions, workers use LED lights to identify the exact location of a product to pick the item and the quantity needed much faster. They can confirm that they have picked up the product by pressing a button or using a barcode scanner. Everyone in the warehouse knows what picking is, and this accurate and fast process helps them significantly reduce picking errors and increase operational efficiency.
The light-signalling system can also be used to optimize putaway or sorting/grouping of products picked by order for packaging. In this case the system is known as Put to Light or Sort to Light.
The technology behind the Pick by Light system is complex and involves the use of sensors, WMS warehouse management software and other related hardware. Sensors detect worker movement and activate LED lights based on commands from the warehouse management system. The warehouse management software controls the flow of information and ensures correct synchronisation between LED lights and picking tasks.
Benefits of implementing Pick by Light systems in warehouses
The benefits of implementing Pick by Light systems in warehouses are numerous and can bring significant advantages to companies. Among the most important arguments for using this system in logistics facilities are the following:
Increased efficiency and productivity through Pick by Light
The Pick by Light system reduces the time spent searching for products in the warehouse, which leads to increased efficiency and productivity. Thanks to this light-signalling system, employees can immediately locate products and confirm completed picking tasks. That is why implementing Pick by Light minimises handling time, improves order picking speed and leads to significant savings in financial resources.
Reduction in the number of picking errors by Pick by Light
Another major benefit of the Pick by Light system is that it reduces the number of picking errors. By guiding employees directly to the location of products, the system eliminates the possibility of them picking the wrong product. This also results in a significant reduction in costs associated with customer returns.
Improved customer satisfaction by implementing Pick by Light
In an increasingly competitive market, fast and accurate product delivery is a major competitive advantage. Pick by Light can help companies improve customer service by ensuring fast and accurate delivery. Thus, customer satisfaction increases and the company’s reputation benefits in the long run.
How to implement the Pick by Light system in the warehouse
Assessment of specific needs for each warehouse
First, the specific needs of the warehouse need to be assessed. This involves a detailed analysis of the volume of goods, stock turnover rates, warehouse organisation and staffing needs. The information obtained is used to configure the Pick by Light system (dimensions, flows, storage, allocation of human and information resources). It is necessary to strategically organise the warehouse so that the travel time of employees inside it is minimised. Grouping similar products also facilitates the selection process, and using the system to monitor employee performance in real time helps to quickly identify and resolve bottlenecks along the logistics route.
Selection of the right Pick by Light system
The next step is to choose the right system for the warehouse. Although all companies know the advantages of paperless picking, not all have the same logistical needs. There are several types of Pick by Light systems available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Factors such as cost, ease of implementation and compatibility with existing warehouse systems need to be considered. For this reason, it is advisable to work with companies specialising in software and hardware applications to implement such a system.
Integrating the Pick by Light system with other technologies helps to improve overall warehouse efficiency. For example, integration with warehouse management systems (WMS) allows for more efficient inventory management and better workflow planning. Integration with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems also helps optimise all processes in the warehouse. In addition, integration with technologies such as autonomous robots contributes to a significant increase in efficiency and productivity.
To address these challenges, it is important to carry out a cost-benefit analysis. This helps to assess the long-term return on investment of the Pick by Light system. The initial investment can be justified and the savings it will bring over time can be estimated by identifying the benefits the system brings.
The actual implementation of the Pick by Light system
The third stage is the actual implementation, which involves installing the equipment and integrating the system with the existing technology in the warehouse. Rigorous management of the implementation operations is essential to ensure that during this process the warehouse operations run smoothly without major disruptions.
Implementation of the system also involves staff training. It is therefore recommended to run a training programme so that the first employees who become familiar with the system may be able to provide support and training to the rest of the team. This can ensure a smooth transition to the use of the Pick by Light system by all warehouse workers receiving picking tasks.
Once it has been implemented, the Pick by Light system will be continuously monitored to improve efficiency. Incoming and outgoing data will be collected and analysed to identify potential problems and develop solutions so that the operation of the system is improved.
Pick by Light in Logistics 4.0
The future of Pick by Light systems in warehouse management is based on integration with IoT technology and the application of sustainable and energy efficient solutions.
Integrating Pick by Light with Internet of Things (IoT) technology brings significant benefits to warehouse management. This results in increased connectivity and thus increased efficiency due to real-time monitoring of operations and optimisation of work processes. Also, through data collection, continuous improvements in warehousing processes are identified and implemented.
The Pick by Light system contributes to an increase in stock management efficiency. By anticipating stock demands and adjusting operations accordingly, lead times are shortened and the risk of errors is minimised. Product demand and stock data are analysed quickly and efficiently based on Logistics 4.0 technologies.
The use of augmented reality (AR) in Pick by Light is an important trend. With AR, workers can quickly and accurately identify product locations in the warehouse. With special devices such as smart glasses or visors, relevant information can be displayed in the worker’s field of vision, simplifying the Pick by Light process and increasing efficiency in the warehouse.
Given the growing environmental concerns, an important trend in warehouse management with Pick by Light systems is also the implementation of more sustainable and energy efficient hardware solutions. This can include the use of renewable energy sources to power the system and the adoption of more energy-efficient equipment that is easier to install. This reduces the negative environmental impact and can lead to significant energy savings.
The Pick by Light system is a valuable tool for improving efficiency in the warehouse. It contributes to reducing errors and increasing the speed of picking. Thanks to advanced technologies, picking optimisation systems are constantly developed and adapted, offering new perspectives in warehouse management and simplifying work processes.
