BE1025867B1 - Method for removal of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for removal of goods, comprising the steps of: - supplying picking locations with one or more goods from one or more storage locations, which goods are required to fulfill one or more orders; - picking said goods from said picking locations and moving the goods to one or more packing locations; - packaging of the goods so picked at one or more packing locations; and - dispatching the goods packaged in this way for the fulfillment of one or more orders, wherein before the picking of said goods from said picking locations is started, the supply step is first carried out for all goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders.

Description

METHOD FOR RESULTING GOODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for removal of goods.

BACKGROUND ART

Methods for removal of goods are known in the art. These methods often present problems with regard to the highly usable use of resources and unnecessary time-consuming steps due to the crossing of different flows during supply or peak of goods in function of an order.

It is an object of the present invention to find a solution to at least some of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this purpose, the invention provides a method for removal of goods, according to claim 1.

Direct peaks of goods from one or more storage locations have the drawbacks that it is difficult to estimate the time required for peaking and that practical problems can occur such as, for example, difficult accessibility of goods stored at a high position. The measure according to the present invention of supplying pick locations with all goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders, before starting to peak said goods from said pick locations, ensures that the peaks can take place smoothly and uninterruptedly, which ensures time saving and a more efficient deployment of resources, such as reach trucks for reaching higher positions of storage locations or carts for peak goods.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term result, as used in this text, can be understood as all steps necessary for and leading to distribution or shipment of goods.

The term stock, as used in this text, refers to an amount of goods present, preferably an amount of building material present.

The term goods, in the singular good, is to be understood as any parts, products, materials, goods or supplies. Non-limiting examples of goods are goods with limited dimensions, volume goods, lengths and semi-lengths. Goods can be subdivided into fastmovers and slowmovers on the basis of turnover or rotation speed, or rotation class. In a preferred embodiment, the goods are building materials.

The term volume goods, with the single volume goods, with the alternative names ugly goods or ugly, as described herein, refers to goods with a large volume characterized by considerable dimensions in at least two and preferably in three dimensions.

The term lengths, as used herein, with the alternative designation of length goods, refers to goods or a combination of goods with an elongated shape with a largest dimension or length of at least 3 meters.

The term semi-lengths, as described herein, with the alternative term semi-length goods, refers to goods or a combination of goods with an elongated shape with a largest dimension or length of less than 3 meters and greater than 1 meter.

The term fastmover, as described herein, can be understood as a circulation class that refers to a good that does not remain in a stock for long.

The term slowmover, as described herein, can be understood as a circulation class that refers to a good that remains in a supply for a long time.

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The term carriers, as described herein, can be understood as any objects suitable for carrying or containing one or more goods. Non-limiting examples of carriers are boxes and pallets. The carriers can include or carry one or more goods in any arrangement. For example, a palette can be stacked with goods in one or more layers, a palette can only be partially filled with goods, a palette can only carry goods that are suitable next to each other along one line, and only one can be properly carried by the palette while one or more of the goods can also be covered by boxes or films. Combinations of carriers are also possible, wherein for example one or more goods are provided in one or more boxes, wherein these boxes are in turn carried by one or more pallets. In connection with a non-limiting example of a load of a carrier, the term colorful carrier can be distinguished. The term colorful carrier, as described herein, refers to a carrier for embracing or carrying one or more goods, such as, for example, a pallet, which is intended to include or carry multiple types of goods. For lengths and semi-lengths a physical carrier is often not desired and / or not necessary, so that for lengths and semi-lengths a so-called virtual carrier is often determined with specific virtual dimensions, which can be used in determining a pick location where the lengths and semi-lengths can be supplied.

The term storage locations, as described herein, can be understood as any locations suitable for storage of one or more goods. In preferred embodiments, different storage locations are available, the different storage locations being specifically adapted to receive one or more goods with specific dimensions, weight and / or a specific rotation class. Non-limiting examples of storage locations are shelves, pallet zones, packages of warehouses, bulk locations and elevator storage systems.

The term picking locations, as described herein, can be understood as any locations suitable for supplying one or more goods from one or more storage locations. In preferred embodiments, different picking locations are available, with the different picking locations

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BE2018 / 5815 specifically designed to be supplied with one or more goods with certain dimensions, weight and / or a certain rotation class. Non-limiting examples of picking locations are shelves, pallet zones, bulk locations and elevator storage systems.

The term elevator storage systems, as used herein, can be understood as an at least vertically oriented device comprising a plurality of storage compartments, suitable for storage of goods with certain maximum dimensions and a certain maximum weight, at least extended along a vertical axis, wherein the elevator storage system comprises an elevator unit which is adapted to carry one or more goods and to at least move goods along said vertical axis.

The term operating system, as described herein, can be understood as one or more computer systems, one or more data storage devices, one or more wired and / or wireless networks, operating system software such as programs, modules, drivers and user interfaces, or a combination of the foregoing. In a preferred embodiment, the operating system comprises a warehouse management system (WMS) as operating system software. In a preferred embodiment, the operating system comprises an operating system software comprising a WMS and an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. In a preferred embodiment, the control system is arranged to interact with one or more portable, mobile and / or fixed readers, or scanners that can scan, receive or otherwise detect identification means (e.g. barcodes, radio frequency identification (R.FID) tags, etc.) and preferably communicate with a control station or stations in connection with or belonging to the control system to store, for example, an identification of goods in the control system.

The term identification means, as used in this text, can be understood as any means to be entered manually or read-in means that can be visually or via mobile and / or fixed readers or scanners that can be detected or otherwise detected. Non-limiting examples of

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BE2018 / 5815 means of identification are bar codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and control digits.

The term warehouse management system (WMS), as used in this text, refers to any system suitable and arranged for storing and processing information about goods that need to be moved in a supply chain or distribution network.

The term enterprise resource planning system, as used in this text, refers to an information system that integrates and / or automates functions related to at least supporting tasks, such as purchase, sales and accounting related to distribution of goods.

The term building materials, as used herein, is to be understood as being materials of natural origin, made from raw materials of natural origin or artificially manufactured, suitable and usable for the construction, protection and decoration of a building. Building can be understood to mean a building itself, such as a home, business or office building, but can also include the immediate surroundings of the building, such as a garden or parking. Preferred but non-limiting examples of building material are hardware, fasteners such as fasteners and connection materials, chemicals, building hardware, electronic building hardware, interior, furniture and decorative fittings, white goods, garden tools, welding equipment, tools and personal protective equipment.

The term white goods, as described herein, refers to household electrical appliances, and preferably to household electrical appliances with a large weight and / or volume. Non-limiting examples of white goods include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers.

The term order, as described herein, can be understood as an order from a buyer to deliver a certain quantity of one or more goods, which order can be paid at a certain time.

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The present invention provides a method for removal of goods, comprising the steps of:

- supplying pick locations with one or more goods from one or more storage locations, which goods are required for the fulfillment of one or more orders;

- peaking said goods from said picking locations and moving the goods to one or more packing locations;

- packaging of the goods so peaked at one or more packing locations; and

- dispatching the goods packaged in this way for the fulfillment of one or more orders, whereby before the peaking of said goods from said picking locations is started, the supply step is first carried out for all goods that are required for the fulfillment of one or more orders .

Direct peaks of goods from one or more storage locations have the drawbacks that it is difficult to estimate the time required for peaking and that practical problems can occur such as, for example, difficult accessibility of goods stored at a high position. The measure according to the present invention of supplying pick locations with all goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders, before starting to peak said goods from said pick locations, ensures that the peaks can take place smoothly and uninterruptedly, which ensures time saving and a more efficient deployment of resources, such as reach trucks for reaching higher positions of storage locations or carts for peak goods. The measure according to the present invention is anything but obvious to a person skilled in the art. After all, such a professional would rather opt to peak per pick location as soon as the goods are available for one or more orders per pick location, instead of waiting for all pick locations to include the goods that are required to fulfill one or more orders , resulting in a loss of time and resources being used inefficiently.

For orders for which all goods are already present at picking locations, for example where there are still enough goods in one or

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BE2018 / 5815 multiple picking locations due to a previous supply, the goods can be brought directly from one or more picking locations to one or more packing locations for additional packaging without additional supply.

According to preferred embodiments, storage locations and picking locations are physically separate locations. In a case of an order with an extremely high priority or urgency, also referred to as an urgent order, goods can, if not already available in a picking location, be spiked directly into a storage location, the storage location then also serving as a picking location.

The sending step can be understood as moving one or more packaged goods, for example to a private customer or a department store, for the fulfillment of an order. Sending can take place by sending via postal services or courier services, or can also be carried out by collection by a person.

In a preferred embodiment, the stocking step is performed as a function of one or more supply orders, which supply orders comprise instructions for supplying one or more goods from one or more storage locations, wherein said supply orders can be extended with one or more additional goods as long as a supply order has not yet been executed.

This measure ensures that if additional goods are to be supplied as a function of a new order, these can then be added to an existing supply order as long as this supply order has not yet been carried out. This results in a reduction in supply efforts, because several goods can be supplied in a single step.

In a preferred embodiment, from the occurrence of at least two storage locations, the storage locations are arranged in one or more rows, wherein at least one pass is located along each storage location, and wherein the replenishment is performed in function of one or more replenishment orders, which replenishment instructions are instructions include

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BE2018 / 5815 for supplying one or more goods from two or more storage locations along the same corridor.

Switching between different courses during stocking is a time-consuming step. Grouping the supply steps per corridor therefore saves time.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of peaking is performed as a function of several picking orders for peaking of one or more goods, which picking orders differ in that different picking locations are indicated from which goods must be peaked.

This measure ensures that different picking locations can be peaked separately in separate picking orders, which makes unnecessary long trajectories for moving peaked goods unnecessary. Preferably, one picking order belongs to one type of picking location, wherein shelves, pallet zones, bulk locations and elevator storage systems are non-limiting examples of picking locations. An additional advantage here is that for a type of picking location specialized equipment, for example reach trucks or electro-transpallets, and / or additional training for a use are required, so that the equipment and / or knowledge can be applied ideally for one particular pick order, without always to have to switch between equipment and / or to have to keep training. In a preferred embodiment, as many pick orders as possible for one or more goods from the same pick location are grouped into a grouped pick order or a picking batch. For example, at the same pick location three consecutive pick orders can be executed as a picking batch, and because the pick orders are executed as a picking batch, the three pick orders are grouped and executed one after the other without additional displacement being necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, from the occurrence of at least two pick locations, the pick locations are arranged in one or more rows, wherein at least one pass is located along each pick location, and wherein the peaking is performed in function of several pick orders, which pick orders differ in that different picking locations are indicated from which goods must be peaked, and which picking orders further comprise instructions

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BE2018 / 5815 for peaking one or more goods from two or more picking locations located along the same corridor.

Switching between different courses during peaks is a time-consuming step. Grouping the picking steps per course therefore saves time.

In a preferred embodiment, if a corridor is occupied during stocking or peaking in which one or more storage or picking locations are located from which goods must be supplied or peaked, if possible first supplied or peaked from another unoccupied corridor in which one or more storage or picking locations are located from which goods must be supplied or peaked.

This measure saves time. While supplies or peaks are taken from another unoccupied corridor, the total occupation time of the occupied corridor decreases or the originally occupied corridor is even free. According to embodiments, after the stocking or peaks from the unoccupied corridor, for example a next unoccupied corridor, the supply or peaks from the originally occupied corridor is immediately transferred. According to embodiments, the supply or peaks from the originally occupied corridor are placed at the back in the order of a number of supply or pick orders to fulfill one or more orders.

In a preferred embodiment, in the stocking step, goods that often form the part of orders are supplied based on pre-established minimum and maximum numbers present in one or more picking locations, wherein if a number of goods falls below a minimum, said goods be supplied until the pre-established maximum number is reached.

Said pre-established minimum and maximum numbers can for instance be determined on the basis of the frequency of goods in orders and / or storage capacity of one or more picking locations. Goods that often form part of orders do not stay long in a storage location or pick location, and are therefore also described as fastmovers, as goods with a fast circulation or rotation. Said specific measures for the

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BE2018 / 5815 supplying goods that are often part of orders, or fastmovers, offer the advantage that said goods are always present in one or more picking locations, so that orders can be met as well as possible given the high frequency in which said goods occur in orders, which contributes to the smooth fulfillment of orders. By setting maximum numbers, overstockage of the goods in picking locations is avoided at the same time, so that storage capacity problems are also avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, at the stocking step, goods that sporadically form the part of orders are stocked in one or more picking locations to numbers that are exactly required to fulfill one or more orders.

Goods that sporadically form part of orders remain in a storage location for a long time, and are therefore also described as slowmovers, as goods with a slow circulation or rotation. By only supplementing goods that sporadically form part of orders, or slowmovers, to exact required quantities, overstocking of goods in the picking locations and related storage capacity problems are avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, in the supply step, in the occurrence of two or more orders, a sequence of supply of several goods is determined by priorities or urgency associated with the orders, wherein one or more goods for fulfilling an order with a higher priority or higher urgency are supplied earlier than one or more goods for the fulfillment of an order with a lower priority or lower urgency.

This measure ensures that orders with a lower priority do not slow down the handling of orders with a higher priority in terms of supply, so that a general smooth handling of orders is promoted. In addition to a different urgency, orders with different priorities often show differences in the number of goods and / or differences in necessary storage and picking locations. Said measure makes the processing of orders with different priorities possible in one distribution center, which is a classic

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BE2018 / 5815 different distribution centers are being implemented, each of which focuses on orders with a certain priority.

In a preferred embodiment, in the peaking step, in the occurrence of two or more orders, a sequence of peaks of a plurality of goods is determined by priorities or urgency associated with the orders, wherein one or more goods for fulfilling an order with a higher priority or higher urgency is peaked earlier than one or more goods for the fulfillment of an order with a lower priority or lower urgency.

This measure ensures that orders with a lower priority do not slow down the handling of orders with a higher priority in terms of peaks, so that a general smooth handling of orders is promoted. The said measure also makes it possible to process orders with different priorities in one distribution center.

In a preferred embodiment, goods are peaked for a specific order and then presented as a group of goods to a packing location.

Grouping of goods preferably takes place by placing the goods close to each other during the successive peaks of each of the goods. The pre-grouping of the goods, which can be carried out simply and with negligible extra efforts during the peak period, has the advantage that packaging can be done much more quickly because different goods of the same order no longer have to be collected at a packing location.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of a blocking of a picking location comprising goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders, the goods are, if possible, peaked at one or more other picking locations comprising the goods, and if required goods are missing in one or more other Picking locations are supplied with the missing goods and then peaked.

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Blocking of a picking location can occur, for example, in the event of a fault or in the event of deliberate blocking of a picking location in function of a necessary maintenance. The measures of peaking from other picking locations or replenishing missing goods ensures that peaks are delayed as little as possible in the event of a blockage. This is favorable for a generally smooth processing of orders.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of a replenishment order as an order, which replenishment order is an order of goods intended for further sale, for example a replenishment order for a shop, goods from a high number are all placed together in a box comprising a volume, which volume high number corresponds to a number that occupies at least 60% of the volume of the crate, and where goods with a lower number than said number or with dimensions that do not fit in said volume of the crate are packed in a folding material to be folded, such as for example cardboard or a plastic film.

These measures ensure that, on the one hand, replenishment orders of a sufficient order of magnitude are placed in boxes intended for this purpose, such as, for example, a metal box, for example a yellow metal box or gitter box, during packaging, and that on the other hand goods and / or too large dimensions of the goods are less suitable for said crates, are packed flexibly in a folding material to be folded. In this way a flexible packing method is obtained that contributes to the general smooth handling of orders. Said percentage of at least 60% can be understood as a volume percentage and comprising all volume percentages from 60% up to and including 100%.

In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the steps of stocking, peaking and moving to one or more packing locations, packing and shipping of goods are controlled by a control system, whereby goods are provided with a readable identification means, and preferably with a scannable identification means, and the goods are entered into the control system by reading in, and preferably scanning in, identification means.

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According to embodiments, one or more goods are carried by or contained by a carrier, for example a box or a pallet. In the case of a carrier including one or more goods, a readable and preferably scannable identification means is provided on the carrier. Control by the control system makes it possible to control a method according to the present invention in a centralized manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the goods are building materials. A method according to the present invention is after all optimally suitable for removal of building materials.

EXAMPLE

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following example, without however being limited thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

Example 1 relates to a preferred embodiment of a method for removal of goods, in particular of building materials.

According to the present invention, when goods are unloaded, a distinction can be made between the following types of orders, arranged in descending priority (high priority to low priority):

• result via rush orders (also known as rush orders), with direct collection in a warehouse or department store for example by a waiting customer;

• result via orders that can be collected in a store;

• result via orders that are directly taken from a carrier;

• result via replenishment of a store or replenishment orders.

According to the present invention, each of these different types of orders can be combined in one distribution center. This is unique. The aforementioned four different types of orders have completely different characteristics, such as for example a different lead time, a

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BE2018 / 5815 different number of lines and a different number of goods. This is the reason why in the prior art different types of orders are usually processed in separate service centers that are specifically arranged for one type of order.

Different characteristics can be parameterized for each type of order. Preferably, pick strategy, action to be taken in the event of a pick shortage, packaging of goods, rush orders for waiting customers in a store and parameterization of a sequence of locations depending on the type of order.

Picking strategy can be parameterized per order type as follows:

a. peaks in as few picks as possible, so that a customer ultimately gets the fullest possible packaging; and / or

b. peak as many bins containing goods and / or picking locations as empty, so that sufficient free locations are made available.

A pick deficit can be parameterized per order type as follows:

a. If a peak order, an order that can be picked up at a store or an order that is taken directly from a carrier, is found to have a shortage, a shortage is found, then a warehouse management system (WMS), which WMS is set up, is looking for to check one or more steps of the result, whether stock is still available at a storage location to be able to complete the customer order, so that a customer can get everything delivered in one go; and

b. if a shortage is found with a replenishment order, the order will be closed, because with a store replenishment it is not important if, for example, one item is delivered too little.

Packaging of goods can be parameterized per order type as follows:

urgent orders, orders that can be picked up at a store or orders that are directly taken from a carrier, are peaked and then delivered to a packing location where peaked goods are brought together, checked and packaged;

b. replenishment orders are by default directly peaked in a, preferably, yellow metal box, also known as a gitter box, where after peaking of all goods within an order is automatically

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BE2018 / 5815 a shipping label is printed and stuck on the crate, as a result of which replenishment orders do not pass through a specified packing location;

c. however, under a certain number of goods, replenishment orders follow a packaging flow as with the other types of orders mentioned, since for smaller replenishment orders, for example intended for smaller stores, only a few goods can be peaked, so that direct peaking of such orders in a said box would be inefficient to be; and

d. goods from replenishment orders that do not fit in said box, such as for example a ladder, can be marked for this in an article sheet, and are deposited, checked and packaged at a packing location.

Express orders can be parameterized as follows:

a. An urgent order always has the highest priority for both supply and picking orders, so that unlike other orders that always have to be spiked from a pick location, urgent orders can be spiked from any location, such as from a bulk location in the air.

Ranking of storage or picking locations in function of the execution of supply or picking orders can be parameterized as follows:

a. when a corridor is occupied by another user, for example because an electro-pallet for picking orders and a reach truck for supply orders can be sent to a corridor at the same time, the user has the choice to skip the occupied corridor and in a subsequent corridor continue working instead of waiting for the other user to leave the corridor, which is time efficient.

A route for a trip is assigned based on priority, carrier or store. Order release is per ride of a user or transporter. Express orders and collection orders are automatically released after construction in the WMS.

With order release, picking orders are created per one or more picking locations of the same type, with shelves, pallet zones, bulk locations and

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BE2018 / 5815 lift storage systems are non-limiting examples of types of picking locations. In other words, an order falls into different partial orders, after which a user consolidates the partial orders into one delivery of an order. Volume goods and lengths are peaked separately from, for example, a bulk location, packaged and shipped. Other picking locations such as a lift storage system and pick locations located close to the ground are consolidated at a packing table.

Before peaks can be started, the picking locations must first be supplied. Orders for which no provisioning is currently required, for which sufficient goods are still present in picking locations through a previous supply from one or more storage locations, can be executed immediately. Fastmovers are supplemented on the basis of minimum and maximum at the level of the number of a type of goods in one or more pick locations. Slowmovers are preferably supplemented exactly on the basis of order requirements.

The supply of goods is carried out when a number of goods in one or more picking locations drops below a predetermined minimum, or when new goods are put into storage, and a number of goods are already below the minimum at that moment.

The supply can be called customized. The replenishment is preferably carried out in function of priority, for example on the basis of related priority codes. In order to avoid a large amount of channel changes caused by many different priorities, priorities are preferably executed per course, instead of always making a course change.

The execution of priorities per course also ensures that a supply order is kept open until the order is actually started. If in the meantime, for a certain course where the user still has to start, goods to be supplied are added for a new order, then these numbers are added, so that the supply can be carried out in one movement.

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When supplying, a user is sent to a location to pick up a carrier, preferably a pallet, with a scannable identifier, and by which carrier goods are carried, and scans it for confirmation. The user can then use part of the goods to stock and place the remaining goods back at a bulk location, or the user can move the entire carrier with goods as additions to a specific picking location, such as for example an elevator storage system. The user then scans the location of the picking location in the WMS.

The supply can be used for slowmovers. For example, the stocking can be used for slowmovers in a package warehouse and / or slowmovers in shelves as storage locations. Hereby one or more picking locations are supplied with one or more goods from one or more storage locations, in this case shelves and / or a package warehouse, whereby the provisioning is carried out on the basis of a total order requirement. For example, for a package warehouse, said picking location is a location within a pallet zone, and, for example, for shelves, peak numbers per well are supplied in an elevator storage system.

In the package warehouse several goods are taken from storage and then collected on one collection carrier, preferably with the help of a man-up truck. Assignments are hereby split based on the volume of goods. A user scans a scannable identifier applied to the collection carrier prior to collection. The user is then sent in a first step to a location determined by the WMS to collect goods from a stock. In a second step, the user scans a stock ID related to the stock, and gets to see the goods of the order that are present in that stock. In a third step, the user peaks the goods, after which in a fourth step the user confirms the peaked goods, after which a stock ID sticker is printed in a fifth step, preferably on a mobile printer, for identification when loading. Said steps repeat themselves until everything is peaked, or until the collection carrier is full. In the latter case, the user notifies the collector in full and the user can start loading the goods from the collector. The placement consists of scanning the stock ID label and then the picking location

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BE2018 / 5815 where he places the stock. When everything has been cleared according to the WMS, he will be asked whether the carrier is empty for checking.

The supply from shelves, for example located on an upper floor, preferably takes place with the aid of a cart, and more preferably from a multi-storey cart. A maximum of 15 goods are collected in a container for the purpose of a lift storage system. The cart can preferably carry a plurality of said trays. The bins are pre-linked to a location thereof on the cart, preferably via a separate hand-terminal process. The provisioning starts with the scanning of a scannable identifier applied to the cart. A user is then sent to a storage location, and enters the storage location in the WMS for confirmation. The user takes a requested number of one or more goods and scans the bin in which the user places the goods. This is repeated until all bins are provided with a required number of goods.

For supplying goods in a lift storage system, suitable drawers including a suitable type of drawer are automatically requested from the lift storage system. A drawer bin can be understood as a bin suitable for being placed in a drawer of an elevator storage system. To do this, a user scans an identifier of a cart before placing a container including goods in an elevator storage system. By scanning the identifier of the cart, a suitable drawer of the elevator storage system is requested as a result of instructions from the WMS. The suitable drawer is brought to a height accessible to the user, and is slid transversely at least partially out of the elevator storage system so that the user has access to the drawer. Suitability of a drawer is determined by, among other things, the dimensions and capacity utilization of a drawer. The user is informed, for example by a message on a screen, at which position of said drawer a bin can be placed. The user then takes an empty bin (also provided with an identification means) present at said position, and the user scans the identification means from the empty bin for validation. Subsequently, the user is instructed to scan the identification means of the tray of the cart. Subsequently, the user scans said bin and places it at a newly released position of the drawer. This is repeated until all bins are intended for a drawer in the

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BE2018 / 5815 concerning the drawer. A drawer in which all intended bins are placed is also called a filled drawer. The filled drawer is then automatically replaced or pushed back into the elevator storage system.

By applying stocking in different storage locations, an actual picking process can be carried out in one go or in one flow, without the help of for example reach trucks to retrieve goods from slow-moving locations. All the supplying has already been carried out in advance.

In the specific process of stocking from storage locations including slowmovers to an elevator storage system, the actual picking is preferably carried out in one movement and a grouped picking batch arrives at a packing location, so that no goods have to be sought together during packaging.

A majority of and preferably 60% of the goods required to fulfill orders are peaked in an elevator storage system. The peaking or picking is done with the help of carts and preferably with the help of multi-storey carts in combination with trays, preferably loose (blue) trays, in which peaks are made. A picking area comprising a plurality of elevator storage systems is divided into a number of elevator groups, and preferably into 4 coupled elevator storage systems to the left and right of a corridor. The carts are moved from one lift group to another, and users, also known as pickers, stay within a notified location.

In preparation for the peaks, carts are prepared by linking bins with a fixed bake number to a location on the cart. The user scans a scannable identifier provided on the cart, and based on the available commands per priority, a proposal is made for the number of bins on the cart. Preferably, only orders with the same priority are peaked per cart. At the end the user is instructed via the WMS what the first lift group is where to peak so that the cart can already be driven to that location.

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A user who is dependent on a lift group is assigned assignments in order of priority. It is possible that carts overtake each other if the priority is higher. The user scans an identification means provided on the cart, and the required drawers are already retrieved from an elevator storage system belonging to said elevator group. The user is shown the first location at a hand terminal, and the position next to the lift storage system is displayed on the screen next to the lift storage system. The user scans the correct carrier for validation, and peaks the requested type and number of goods.

In order to prevent carts with a higher priority (for example, urgent orders for customers) from being held up by carts with a lower priority (for example for replenishing stores), these are always pulled forward by the WMS if a choice has to be made as to which of the following cart the user will start.

After scanning an identifier provided on a bin and confirming the type and number of goods, the user receives a pick sticker, which is preferably created by a label printer in addition to the elevator storage system. The aforementioned pick sticker is used later when packaging the goods. The user then places the peaked stock together with the pick sticker in the indicated bin on the cart. The user scans the carrier for confirmation.

Should a drawer in the lift storage system be picked empty, the user will be asked whether the drawer is actually empty. The moment a drawer has to be changed, the user is sent to another location in the meantime.

A continuous cycle count is obtained by confirming or correcting each time a drawer according to the WMS is empty. The cycle count is embedded in the WMS and therefore does not cost any extra time and ensures that the stock accuracy is very high. This leads to a reliable delivery rate.

When a bin gets full on the cart during peak periods, the user can report it fully. This is an exception, in principle picking orders are made in advance

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BE2018 / 5815 split by maximum volume. The user then assigns an extra bin by scanning the bin and placing the bin on the cart.

At the moment that all picking orders within a lift group have been carried out, the user is shown the height of which lift group a subsequent order must be carried out. The user already pushes the cart in the corridor to the location of said elevator group. When peak is taken from a last group of lifts to be visited within a series of picking orders, the cart is sent to a roller conveyor for depositing the peaked bins. Before the user places the bins on the roller conveyor, he scans the cart, so that the corresponding bins and unloading station are pre-reported to the roller conveyor. The user then places the peaked containers one by one, and the roller conveyor ensures that they end up in the right place.

In the case of lengths and / or semi-lengths, the stock is not placed in trays during peaks, but on so-called virtual carriers on a cart. It is therefore not necessary for the carts to be prepared for peaking lengths and / or semi-lengths. When placing on the cart, a box is scanned to identify the correct order.

Requesting drawers in an elevator storage system is a time-consuming process. In order to use a lift storage system as efficiently as possible, a user can request a second cart from the WMS at the moment that he has done all picking orders for a lift storage system in order of priority for which he can already start peaking. Thus, for the same elevator storage system, commands are already being generated to retrieve drawers for a second cart, whereby it can be emphasized that the peak for the second cart only takes place after the peak is completed for the previous cart.

If a cart is no longer available, and an employee is waiting for a user who is assigned to a cart, the employee can decide to help the user. He scans the cart, and is also assigned picking orders for that cart. The so-called co-picking is preferably permitted up to a certain pre-set time.

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If an elevator storage system requires maintenance, or there is a malfunction, then according to an embodiment with a function in the WMS, a stock of goods in the elevator storage system can be blocked. It is possible that this also includes reserved stock. In that case, the WMS looks for a replacement inventory ID, and the reservation is adjusted. If there is no replacement inventory ID, the item in question is split off from a distribution per unit to a new order. This can still be peaked at a later time when the blocking is canceled.

According to embodiments, picking takes place on a ground floor within one large picking location, with the exception of ugly goods such as ladders, wheelbarrows and washing machines. The picking order is arranged in such a way that heavy goods come at the bottom. Furthermore, there are preferably locations close to or in a shelves location reserved for goods for supplying pick locations.

Depending on the type of order and / or volume, a certain type of pick packing is used. Peak replenishment takes place in a so-called gitter box; a large metal container in pallet format. Other orders are preferably peaked on a pallet as a carrier, with a maximum of 6 different orders per pallet.

A user is assigned a command in order of priority. The condition is that there are no more open supply orders. Everything is in a location accessible from a floor. After logging in, the user takes a carrier, and subsequently required pick stickers are printed in order of location.

Picking is preferably done with a hand terminal. The user is first sent to a first pick location. He scans the location and confirms the peaked number of goods and / or boxes containing goods. He sticks a pick sticker in the gitter box. At the end of the picking round, the gitter box is taken to a consolidation location in preparation for packing at a packing location. If the item does not fit into a gitter box, this item will go to a specific packing location for replenishment of stores at the first outbound station of an elevator storage system.

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Express orders or rush orders are orders created by a customer in a store, which the customer wants to take immediately (waiting customer in the store). It can, for example, concern a few dozen orders per day, and it concerns a low number of goods, for example 1 or 2 goods. It is intended that after the creation the rush order is delivered to a front store within approximately 15 minutes, and preferably within a maximum period of 15 minutes. The rush order is automatically released in the WMS. No deliveries are made for rush orders. If it concerns a slowover, this can be peaked immediately with a picking order.

For rush orders, a special type of order is deployed and called to a user. The rush order comes with the highest priority in a waiting list of pickings to be executed in respective zones.

A user normally completes a started order before processing a rush order as the next pick order. If it takes too long (ie said duration of approximately 15 minutes, and preferably of maximum 15 minutes, is likely to be exceeded) before starting this rush order, the user will be asked to abort the started order and the rush order as first, or another user will perform the same picking.

According to an embodiment, stores are distributed over a number, for example around 30, of fixed locations. The moment a first peaked carrier or container is scanned at a packing location, a location is assigned and a destination label with barcode is created for a store. The destination label is kept separate for a while until the carrier is completely filled with goods. The user scans the destination label to confirm that he has placed the label. The user physically places the carrier on a cart, which he distributes on store pallets outside the WMS. Each subsequent carrier for the same store is scanned on this label and subsequently placed on a pallet.

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The moment that all orders are picked, the destination label is stuck on the pallet or placed as a sign that the pallet is complete and can therefore be loaded.

According to embodiments, a separate consolidation location has been set up for each packing location. Only when everything for an order is peaked from different picking locations, does the user see the orders that can be packed. He selects an order and scans the carriers or bins supplied with, for example, a hand terminal, linked to a touchscreen. He then chooses a box type, and scans the first pick sticker to indicate that he is going to package it. He confirms on the touchscreen that he has placed the goods in the box, and repeats this for all goods on the carrier or container.

At the end, the user reports the box full, and the user may decide to adjust the packaging, for example to a pallet. For each packaged box, a destination label and a bill of materials label are created and applied to the outside of the box, and for some customers also a packing slip with content information. Depending on whether it is a direct order or an order at a branch, the boxes are stacked on a roll container. There is a drop zone on a container for each store.

On every outside of the box there is a piece list label with the contents and the customer's reference. This allows the customer - without having to open the box - to see the unique content per box.

Claims (14)

CONCLUSIONS A method for removal of goods, comprising the steps of: - supplying pick locations with one or more goods from one or more storage locations, which goods are required for the fulfillment of one or more orders; - peaking said goods from said picking locations and moving the goods to one or more packing locations; - packaging of the goods so peaked at one or more packing locations; and - dispatching the goods packaged in this way for the fulfillment of one or more orders, characterized in that, before commencing the peaking of said goods from said picking locations, the supply step is first carried out for all goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of supplying is carried out in function of one or more supply orders, which supply orders comprise instructions for supplying one or more goods from one or more storage locations, wherein said supply orders can still be extended by one or several additional goods as long as a supply order has not yet been executed. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein from the occurrence of at least two storage locations, the storage locations are arranged in one or more rows, wherein at least one corridor is located along each storage location, and wherein the provisioning is carried out as a function of one or more multiple supply orders, which supply orders include instructions for supplying one or more goods from two or more storage locations located along the same corridor. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of peaking is carried out as a function of several picking orders for peaking one or more goods, which picking orders are included in it 2018/5815 BE2018 / 5815 differ that different picking locations are indicated from which goods must be spiked. The method of claim 4, wherein from the occurrence of at least two pick locations, the pick locations are arranged in one or more rows, wherein at least one pass is located along each pick location, and wherein the peaking is performed in function of several pick orders, which picking orders differ in that different picking locations are indicated from which goods must be peaked, and which picking orders further comprise instructions for peaking one or more goods from two or more picking locations located along the same corridor. A method according to claim 3 or 5, wherein if a corridor is occupied during stocking or peaking in which one or more storage or picking locations are located from which goods must be stocked or peaked, if possible first stocked or peaked from another occupied corridor in which one or more storage or picking locations are located from which goods must be supplied or peaked. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the stocking step, goods that often form the part of orders are stocked on the basis of pre-established minimum and maximum numbers present in one or more picking locations, wherein if a number of goods fall below a minimum, said goods are supplied until the pre-established maximum number is reached. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the step of supplying, goods that sporadically form the part of orders are supplied in one or more picking locations to numbers that are exactly required for the fulfillment of one or more orders. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the step of supplying, in the occurrence of two or more orders, a sequence of supplying of several goods is determined by priorities or urgency associated with the orders, wherein one or more goods for the fulfillment of an order with a higher priority or greater urgency are supplied earlier than one or 2018/5815 BE2018 / 5815 multiple goods for fulfilling an order with a lower priority or lower urgency. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein in the step of peaking, in the occurrence of two or more orders, a sequence of peaks of a plurality of goods is determined by priorities or urgency associated with the orders, wherein one or more goods for fulfilling an order with a higher priority or higher urgency are peaked earlier than one or more goods for fulfilling an order with a lower priority or lower urgency. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein goods are peaked for a specific order and then presented as a group of goods to a packing location. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in the case of a blocking of a picking location comprising goods required for the fulfillment of one or more orders, the goods are, if possible, peaked from one or more other picking locations comprising the goods, and if required Goods are missing at one or more other picking locations, the missing goods are supplied and then peaked. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the case of a replenishment order as an order, which replenishment order is an order of goods intended for further sale, goods from a high number of all are placed together in a box comprising a volume, which high number corresponds to a number that occupies at least 60% of the volume of the crate, and wherein goods with a lower number than said number or with dimensions that do not fit in said volume of the crate are packed in a folding material to be folded. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one or more of the steps of supplying, peaking and moving to one or more packing locations, packing and sending of goods are controlled by a control system, wherein goods are provided with a readable identification means and the goods in the control system are entered by reading in identification means.