Remote Picking

In manufacturing facilities remote picking is used to deliver items to the work cells as the need to build a final assembly. Remote picking can also be used with a buffering system to balance the flow of product between multiple work cells. The storage area holds the materials produced in each of the zones until the next zone needs it in a work in process (WIP) application. 

Distribution centers will often use remote picking for their very slow movers.

Manufacturing’s use of remote picking allows parts to be buffered and delivered on a JIT (Just In Time) fashion to the work cells. This process often reduces inventory and reduces bottlenecks and the need for additional conveyor while increasing labor productivity because the item is brought to the operator automatically.

Distribution’s use of remote picking allows the slowest moving group of products to be stored in the least amount of space while eliminating walk and search time and extra inventory (which is especially important on slow SKU inventory levels).

The question in both manufacturing’s and distribution’s use of remote picking is to what level of automation. The highest levels of fully automated systems make sense in 24-7 operations with high and constant demands. Semi-automated remote picking makes sense at facilities that have a lower velocity, but need to cost effectively save floor space and labor. Either case, a cost justification is required to determine acquisition costs verse return on investment.

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