The 1-Phase
Order Picking
Method

This method picks a batch of orders carried on a cart by pushing the cart through the picking area using a shortest path algorithm.  The PDA or Tablet PC issues voice commands to instruct the picker where to go, and if bay locations have light modules, the PDA or Tablet PC uses voice again to tell the operator to "STOP" when the target bay is reached.  The picker confirms correct picking by touching a red, flashing LED (light sensitive proximity switch) in a light module adjacent to the location.  If the location doesn't have a light module, the system uses voice commands to direct the picker to scan a bar code on either the location or product and to tell the picker the quantity to be picked. 

If the cart contains light modules  adjacent to the customer order locations, the picker will touch each red, flashing LED (light sensitive proximity switch) as products are placed into those locations.  For cart locations without lights, the picker will scan the cart location bar codes as products are placed into customer containers.  If the "cart"  contains a single order (e.g. a pallet on a forklift), there is no requirement to touch a red, flashing LED or scan a cart location bar code. 

Common use of this picking method are for replacement parts picking, point-of-sale replenishment of small quantities of many products and for internet order fulfillment.  

Another important use of this picking method is found in assembly line manufacturing applications where raw material components for a work cell must be picked quickly and accurately - but with an additional twist.  In assembly line applications the raw material components must be sequenced on the cart  in the same order as the work-in-process products on the assembly line.  FastFetch can force picking into sequenced locations on the cart by using a sequence number included in the download file from the WMS/ERP.

See the adjacent diagram that illustrates how this picking method works.  Click here to see an example session of 1-Phase picking in a configuration using lights on both cart and bay locations. 

This picking method can be used in multiple cart/bay configurations.  Click here to learn more.

Also see:  2-Phase Pick/Put   2-Phase Picking with Dynamic Slotting   Reverse Logistics