After the picking business process, the product is passed on to the sorter (packing department). However, the sorter and the downstream packing department are only available for two-stage picking. It is not required for single-stage picking, because all parts belonging to an order are taken from the warehouse, filled into packaging materials according to the order and finally packed ready for dispatch.

After picking, article information is sent to the Warehouse Management System (WMS). The WMS takes over the task of sorter control. The sorted goods are separated according to orders, packed and distributed to a certain number of destination stations including delivery bills and labels. Subsequently, they are sorted according to departure times (cut-off times).

Automation by sorter

Sorting systems can be used to automate the work steps. Which type of sorter is suitable depends on various components, such as the required buffer and the transport network. Depending on the structure of the transport network, sorters of different sizes and capacities are used at different locations.
Examples of sorting systems are:

Instead of using a fully automatic sorter, the goods can also be sorted manually. The goods are picked as a batchfor several orders, then distributed by employees to the individual customer orders and finished packed. As soon as the order is complete, the invoice is created and forwarded to the shipping department in the form of a delivery bill with the goods.

On the basis of different key figures, it is possible to measure the goalsof the sorter (packing department).
Possible goals are:

  • Create high picking tour yield
  • Achieve synchronous work progress (plan/time)
  • Let the sorting process run schedule-controlled
  • Do not allow any deviation from the specified process end

You can find more information on how to measure the targets under sorter (packaging department) – key figures.

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