Glossary of Intralogistics & Logistics

 

Glossary of terms from warehouse logistics in alphabetical order

 

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Quantity to be picked that is smaller than a packaging or provision unit of the requested goods. Or also: the quantity of goods remaining after receipt of an order for smaller units than whole packages (so-called partial units).

 

Customer requirements are described via orders and contain the items ordered by a client (customer) along with the desired quantity.

 

A line item in a pick list. It contains information such as the item number and description, quantity, and storage location. In item-oriented picking, a single order line can contain goods for multiple orders simultaneously, which are then assigned to the individual orders in a second step.

 

A facility for relocating units from a storage system. Often located near the picking or loading station.

 

Each combination of item and quantity in an order is called an item and corresponds exactly to one order line.

 

Technology used for the automatic recognition of goods and objects through image recognition, barcodes, smart labels or biometric data (techniques such as optical character recognition (OCR) or radio-frequency identification (RFID)).

 

Automated system for storing low-volume goods. Storage and retrieval are typically carried out using mechanical storage and retrieval machines or shuttles.

 

This is used in warehouse systems with container conveyor technology, where items or containers are transported via roller tracks. At each picking zone, so-called "stations" are set up where incoming containers can be parked for the upcoming picking process. This prevents the flow of items from being blocked by waiting containers and avoids bottlenecks.

 

A machine-readable code used to identify items and storage locations. A barcode consists of lines and spaces of varying widths and is read by software-based reading devices (scanners).

 

Part of the picking time per order. During the basic time, organizational tasks for the actual picking process are carried out, e.g.

• Creating the picking list
• Preparing the order picking trolley
• Handover of the commission to downstream processes (goods dispatch, etc.)

 

Batching is the process of combining multiple orders into an ordered set or list of orders. In practice, the terms batching or multi-order picking are also used synonymously.

 

Picking strategy. Several picking orders are grouped into a batch and picked simultaneously. As soon as an order is fully completed, the batch is continuously replenished with the next order.

 

Procurement logistics is the first of four sub-areas of logistics. It encompasses all logistical tasks related to the procurement of goods and their journey from the supplier to the buyer's receipt of goods.

 

Storage space where goods are placed directly on the floor. This can also include pallets of fast-moving items that are stored centrally near the picking station due to their frequent use. It also includes storage spaces located below the lower level of a rack.

 

The goods are not stored in permanently assigned locations, but wherever there is space available. This is the opposite of storage in fixed locations.

 

Goods handling without storage. Delivered goods are transported directly to the dispatch area or shipping station without any storage.

 

A rack that can receive and retrieve goods from both sides at each level. Double racks are usually found between two aisles in a warehouse.

 

Storage of two units in a row. Double racks or drive-in storage are particularly suitable for this type of storage.

 

A rack with an open access side into which the transport vehicle can drive (entry rack) and deposit the goods (usually stored on pallets) in front of the last stack of goods. It operates on the LIFO principle, as the most recently stored unit is retrieved first.

 

Similar to a drive-in rack, where goods are stored on multiple levels, one above the other and one behind the other, the drive-through rack differs in that it is open on both sides, allowing for loading and unloading from either side. This enables storage strategies such as LIFO and FIFO.

 

Here, the storage units are mounted on rollers, stored on one side of the rack, and retrieved on the other. Transport within the rack is also via rollers.

 

In these rack storage systems, the units are moved within the rack during storage. Examples include carousel racks, horizontal carousel racks, and flow racks. The opposite is static storage, where the units are stored in fixed racks.

 

The most commonly used type of storage. Only one storage unit is stored at a time in the depth (e.g., in a single pallet rack).

 

A static shelving system with rigid storage compartments on which goods can be stored directly or in containers. It is suitable for both small and large items and, due to its simple and cost-effective structure, is a widely used storage system.

 

Each item is stored in a fixed, assigned location. This is the opposite of chaotic storage.

 

The storage units are loaded onto rollers on one side of the rack and retrieved on rollers on the other. Movement within the warehouse is often achieved by gravity, as the roller tracks are inclined.

 

The occupancy rate indicates, as a percentage, how full a storage system is.
Occupancy rate = Number of occupied storage locations / Number of storage locations

 

The reach limit is the point a person can reach without contortion to grasp an object. Along with reach height and depth, it is an important factor in the ergonomic design of warehouse workstations.

 

The height or depth at which an object can be grasped without physical contortion. Reach height and depth are categorized as: minimum, optimal, and maximum reach height or depth.

 

Part of the picking time per order.

The picking time is also referred to as the retrieval time or picking time. It is the time the order picker needs to pick up an item.

 

Storage systems with very high structural dimensions. These types of systems are often up to 30 meters tall and allow warehouse logistics specialists to store large quantities of goods in a very small space. Goods are usually transported within the high-bay racking using internal lifting devices, such as those operating on the paternoster principle.

 

Dynamic storage system in which goods are stored like in a carousel and automatically rotate to the picking station when required.

 

A transport vehicle (forklift, industrial truck, etc.) that operates on the "person to goods" principle. It transports the order picker to the location of the requested item and often supports the picking process for faster and more ergonomic work (e.g., with the help of lifting or load-handling devices).

 

Driverless and driverless transport vehicles that are powered by inductive energy transfer from the ground. They are guided by wires laid in the ground.

 

Abbreviation for courier, express and parcel service.

 

Order-related assembly of specific subsets (items) from a provided total quantity (assortment). This can be a customer order or a production order. The employee who assembles the order is called a picker or order picker.
Forms:

• Order-parallel picking: Simultaneous processing of orders in different picking zones and subsequent merging for delivery.
• Order-oriented order picking: Only one order is processed at a time before the next order is started.
• Item-oriented picking: Items from multiple orders are picked simultaneously. In a second step, these are assigned to the individual orders.
• Order picking: One or more pick lists are printed for each order. After the items have been processed, the picking is recorded on the order. Instead of lists, cables, stickers, or adhesive labels are often used.
• Paperless order picking: All information necessary for order picking is displayed to employees on screens at the picking station. Paper documents are no longer required. Examples include pick-by-light or pick-by-voice techniques.
• Dynamic order picking: This takes place in automated storage systems. The storage unit is automatically retrieved by the warehouse management system and transported to the picking station. The picker removes the required quantity of goods, after which the remainder of the unit is returned to storage.
• One-dimensional order picking: Items are picked from a height within the picker's reach. The storage locations are arranged at a convenient gripping height, so that, unlike two-dimensional order picking, no lifting equipment is required.
• Two-dimensional order picking: Goods are stored on multiple levels, some of which are outside the picker's reach. This type of order picking therefore requires special handling equipment such as forklifts or pallet trucks.
• Serial picking: All items in a picking order are processed one after the other.
• Batch-building: Picking individual orders and combining them into larger units (so-called batches).

 

It is the total output achieved in a specific time and expresses the productivity of a picking system. Picking performance can be calculated based on the number of orders picked or the number of items picked per hour or per day. Often, picking performance is determined per picker.

 

A picking station is the work area of ​​the order pickers.

 

Picking time is the total time required to pick a customer order. For economic reasons, this time should be kept as short as possible. Picking time is composed of the following individual times:

• Base time
• Travel time
• Reach time
• Dead time
• Distribution time

 

For industrial companies, this is a key performance indicator (KPI) in materials management. It indicates how often the average inventory of a product was completely withdrawn from a warehouse and replaced within a defined period.

 

Software that coordinates and controls all goods flows within the warehouse. Modern systems take over the control of automated storage and retrieval systems and their loading and unloading, so that order pickers only have to move the items to and from the retrieval openings located at their workstations.

 

A picking method where the goods are provided statically. The picker goes to the storage location and retrieves the goods on site.

 

Picking strategy. During peak times, several pickers (= multi-user) can be used simultaneously at one picking station.

 

A warehouse that is set up after the production of the goods and stores the finished products. It can also be referred to as a distribution or buffer warehouse.

 

Zero-defect picking is the optimal goal in order picking, as picking inaccuracies lead to delays and increased costs. In reality, software-supported warehouse systems already achieve accuracy of up to 99.9%.

 

A picking strategy designed for the rapid and accurate picking of small batches of items from large inventories. For example, with a stock of 10,000 items, up to 350 picks per hour can be achieved.

 

A picking method where the goods are provided statically. The picker goes to the storage location and retrieves the goods on site.

 

This technology enables paperless order picking by showing the employee the picking location of the item for the respective order via lamps, displays or diodes attached to each storage compartment.

 

Information about the storage locations and other details of the items to be picked is communicated to the order picker via headphones. This paperless technology allows the employee to have both hands free for picking the goods.

 

A buffer stock is located between two successive production stages. Its purpose is to ensure a smooth production flow even in the event of disruptions or delays. The otherwise disrupted supply for the next production stage is then drawn from the buffer stock.

 

Retrofitting refers to the modernization or expansion of existing systems and equipment.

Reasons for retrofit measures:

• Compliance with legal requirements (for example, emission reduction)
• Retrofitting automation technology to reduce costs and save energy
• Increased system efficiency, e.g. through energy savings
• Increase in production volume or product quality

 

“Radio Frequency Identification”, also known as “identification using electromagnetic waves”. RFID enables the automatic localization and identification of items equipped with a transponder (transmitter) or other electromagnetic transmission module.

 

Same Day Delivery (SDD) is a type of courier express parcel service that delivers parcels faster, ideally within one calendar day, or within a scheduled time window.

 

A rack designed to hold heavy loads. Unlike standard racks, which are designed for loads of 4 to 5 tons, heavy-duty racks can hold over 7 tons. Individual rack units can handle up to one ton per level.

 

The total quantity of all items available in a warehouse to fulfill customer or production requirements is referred to as the product range.

 

A software-controlled solution that allows order items, which need to be picked from different storage systems (e.g., vertical lifts and horizontal carousel storage), to be bundled into a single order in a time- and cost-efficient manner. These so-called batches are temporarily stored in a buffer warehouse before being finally prepared for shipment.

 

In contrast to dynamic storage, the goods remain in the same storage location during storage. They are only moved again when they are retrieved.

 

An automated small parts warehouse (AS/RS) with storage locations for trays. The requested items are taken from the tray at the retrieval point or placed on it after arrival or processing. The trays are then transported (usually automatically) by a storage and retrieval machine to their designated storage location. The trays thus remain within the warehouse area at all times. This system can accommodate goods of varying sizes, allowing for great flexibility.

 

The portion of order picking time that is not directly related to the actual picking or storing of goods. This idle time, or auxiliary time, consists of activities such as:

• Searching for the campsite
• Opening packaging
• Counting, weighing, and measuring the required quantity of items
• Checking the article
• Record withdrawal

 

A type of dynamic storage system. These systems do not have a fixed storage rack. Instead, the storage locations or compartments are attached to circulating carriers such as chains or toothed belts. Goods stored in these locations or compartments are automatically transported to the retrieval opening upon request (goods-to-person principle). There are vertical and horizontal carousel storage systems (see also: horizontal or vertical carousel storage).

 

Part of the picking time per order. Distribution time is the time during which the picker is not working productively. It is divided into task-related distribution time and personal distribution time. Distribution time includes, for example...

• Waiting for information or means of transport (factual)
• Work interruption due to lack of work (objective)
• Performing sham tasks, fetching coffee (in person)

 

Vertical carousel storage systems have a variety of movable support shelves that deliver selected goods safely and quickly to the next picking point on demand.

The underlying “goods to person” principle enables not only high picking speeds but also an ergonomic workplace.

 

A software-controlled storage system where items are automatically stored and retrieved from a vertical racking system. Employees retrieve the goods from a central access point. The underlying "goods-to-person" principle enables not only high picking speeds but also an ergonomic workstation.

 

A measure for the efficient and ergonomic design of the workplace. Goods are brought to the employee's workstation via (mostly automated) systems, where the employee only needs to receive and process them, pick and pack them, or prepare them for onward shipment.

 

Part of the picking time per order.

Travel time often makes up the largest part of order picking time. It is the time the order picker needs to move to or between storage locations.

 

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