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Definition – Automated Storage and Retrieval System

An "Automated Storage and Retrieval System" (short: AS/RS, sometimes also "Automated small parts warehouse") is a storage system in which small-volume units such as screws or electronic parts are stored. These Systems are always automated, in…

Rack zones – bending zone

A rack can be divided into vertical zones based on the scale of an adult (average size of 1.70 m). The lowest rack area is called the bending zone. It reaches an average height of 60 - 80 cm. In the bending zone, goods with low turnover are often…

Rack zones – gripping zone

A rack can be divided into vertical zones based on the scale of an adult (average size of 1.70 m). The gripping zone starts at an average height of 60 - 80 cm and reaches up to a height of 1.40 - 1.60 m. Employees can reach the gripping zone without…

Rack zones – viewing zone

A rack can be divided into vertical rack based on the scale of an adult (average size of 1.70 m). The viewing zone starts at an average height of 1.40 - 1.60 m and reaches up to 1.80 m depending on the height. The viewing zone is the storage area at…

Cross-docking

There are different types of handling goods in the shipping area. One of these is called cross-docking and is a form of cross-connection. The most striking characteristic of this type of transhipment is that cross-docking does not involve storage.…

Just-in-time – Definition

“Just-in-time” refers to a type of delivery in which the required goods are delivered on time and in exact quantities in order to keep warehousing at the processing location as low as possible. The decisive difference to just-in-sequence…

Procurement logistics – Just in sequence

"Just in sequence" refers to a type of delivery in which the required goods are delivered to the right place at the right time, in the right quantity and of the right kind and processed immediately. The decisive difference to "just-in-time"…

Overview of person-to-goods picking

Person-to-goods picking (also: man-to-goods picking) describes a picking method in which the provision of the inventory takes place statically. In other words, the employee goes to the storage location and takes the required inventory on the spot.…

Overview of goods-to-person picking

Goods-to-person picking (also: goods-to-man picking) describes a picking method in which the provision of inventory is dynamic and automated. In this process, articles are fed directly to the picker by means of materials handling technology. The…

Single-stage order picking – order-oriented, serial picking

With order-oriented, serial picking, order items are successively processed according to orders. Either an order picker passes through all warehouse zones or an order is transferred from an order picker of a certain zone to the next order picker and…

Sorter (Packing) – Process steps

The process steps that are carried out in the course of the (sorter) packing process include order picking dispatching, batch picking, batch buffer reservation, batch buffer and packing process sorter packing. The goals of the packing department are…

Sorter – Packaging

Definition of Packing The packaging is the merging of storage units to form a complete unit. In the fields of production and technology, the term "packing" refers to the division or length division of units. It is also often used as a synonym for…

Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP System)

As an application program, an enterprise resource planning system (ERP system) supports all task areas and processes of a company, such as procurement, production, sales, accounting and human resources. With the use of standard application software…

Production data acquisition

Operating data is data from organisational and technical areas of a company. This includes order data and personnel data on the one hand and machine data and process data on the other. The accumulation of this data is called operating data…

Overview of application interfaces (APIs)

Interfaces have the task of connecting IT systems with the environment, i.e. other facilities, disciplines or subsystems. In the field ofprogrammable logic controllers (PLCs), the connection between the PLC and the environment is often established…

Inventory management

Inventory management refers to the administration, planning and control of material flows within a company or between companies, customers, suppliers or branch offices. On the one hand, it records the movement of goods and, on the other hand,…

Definition of intralogistics

The term intralogistics was created in 2004 by the "Forum Intralogistics" of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation). Since the term "logistics" is generally associated with the transport industry and freight transport, an equivalent was sought to…

The basics of warehouse planning – Determining the objectives

In the past, when planning a warehouse, the main focus was often exclusively on the resulting costs and their minimization. Today, the planning and realization of a warehouse are viewed more holistically in order to ensure lasting profitability…

The importance of material flow

According to VDI, "material flow" is the interlinking of all processes involved in extracting, processing and distributing goods within defined areas. Material flow includes all forms of the passage of work objects (e.g. materials, parts, data…

Transport management – The material flow computer

The material flow computer calculates the fastest route through the materials handling equipment in real-time as part of the transport management process. Taking into account the available facility resources, the material flow computer decides on…

The manual sort order fulfilment

Manual Sort Order Fulfilment (MSF) is a software-supported, manual sorting system. The basis is a multi-stage picking process, but compared to the use of an automated sorter, the subsequent sorting work is done by humans. The MSF is responsible for…

Single-stage picking without IT system support

Picking without IT system support requires a manageable assortment of articles, which is clearly structured according to product groups. Within a product group, storage by ascending article number ensures fast access. The entire stock of an item is…

Storage location management – The importance of EDP in warehouse organization

In modern warehouses with a certain amount of goods, the warehouse processes are usually computerized. Computer-aided warehouse organization enables more effective and economical processes. For example, by using a storage bin management system, it…

The evolution of warehouse management

Warehouse management has undergone a tremendous development from its beginnings until today. Whereas manual processes were once laboriously structured via analog media, today both the technology and the process view have fundamentally evolved The…

Definition of business processes

Business processes can be used to visualize business-relevant procedures of a company. A task that arises through business activities is partitioned into business processes. This in turn results in a fragmentation into sub-processes, whereupon the…

Definition – Contract logistics

Logistics includes all tasks for planning, controlling, providing and optimizing processes along the value chain. Contract logistics is a business segment of logistics services. It is geared towards long-term cooperation between manufacturers and…

Function of a laser scanner

An precisely focused and finely bundled laser beam is used as a light source for the laser scanner's reading system. The laser beam is deflected by a rotating polygon mirror, creating an upandlandy laser beam. This is forwarded to the barcode…

Functionality of a CCD Camera

CCD stands for Charge-coupled Device. Within a CCD camera, light-sensitive elements (CCD sensors) are mounted in the focal point of a lens system. The fast, parallel-serial scanning of the individual points (pixels) resolves a bar code to a point…

Advantages and disadvantages of pick-by-voice

Pick-by-voice, also known as pick-to-voice, is an advanced form of paperless picking. A mobile data acquisition (MDT) device is also used for pick-by-voice. However, the picker's inputs and instructions are made using voice recognition and voice…

Application of a storage location management solution

With a growing warehouse, usually not only the number of articles increases, but often a dynamic in the article assortment is created. Items are regularly removed from the assortment, substitutional items are replaced and completely new products are…

Master data

In intralogistics, master data, also known as primary data or reference data, is data that contains…

VDI 3601 – Warehouse Management Systems

In Guideline 3601 - "Warehouse Management Systems", the Association of German Engineers (VDI)…

Batch formation in picking

Batch formation during picking, also known as batch picking or multi-order picking, is a form of…

Storage and retrieval machine

A storage and retrieval machine (SRM) is a storage device with which load units can be stored,…

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The beginnings of logistics

Even before the invention of the wheel, materials were transported, handled and stored. Even then,…

Definition – Value chain

A value chain describes how value is created through a chain of activities and combined in…

Sorter (Packing) – Basics

After the picking business process, the product is passed on to the sorter (packing department).…

Lean Management

Lean management also has several sub-categories, such as lean thinking, lean production and lean…

Single-stage picking – basics

During picking, a certain quantity of articles is picked from an assortment and put together.…

Definition – Transshipment logistics

Goods handling is a function of intralogistics and takes place between the external goods flow and…

Picking – definition and picking methods

Picking stands for the assembly of goods and merchandise according to specified orders from an…

Overview of common manufacturing principles

Different principles can be applied in manufacturing. Some products are manufactured according to…

Push system and pull system in supply chains

Supply chain management refers to the value chain from the supplier to the end consumer. Depending…

Advance Shipping Notice

An Advance Shipping Notice (ASN), also advice note or avis, is a piece of preliminary information…

Modernization: retrofit in intralogistics

Term retrofit refers to the modernization of machines and equipment. It includes the terms…

Time strategies: throughput and delivery time reduction

Besides the just-in-time and just-in-sequence methods, other time strategies can be used to ensure…

Mobile and stationary loading units

Loading units are collections of goods that are transported, transhipped or stored as they pass…

Potential analysis in intralogistics

A potential analysis is a comparison of company performance with the given expectations for said…

Performance analysis in logistics

A performance analysis examines various service points in logistics for their contribution to value…

Transport strategies: Overview

Transport strategies are used to execute existing transport orders. Transportation strategies can…

Continuous conveyor / discontinuous conveyor

Both the continuous conveyor and the discontinuous conveyor belong to the conveyor technology…

Overview of linear sorter systems

The linear sorter, or shoe sorter, is an automated sorting and distribution system on which the…

Electronic Product Code (EPC)

The electronic product code EPC is an international product identification. Each product can thus…

Decision making for discontinuous conveyors

In a transport system that does not convey continuously, the decision as to whether a transport…

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