Dynamic Batching for Order Picking in Warehouses

Abstract

Dynamic batch picking is characterized by combining product demand from multiple customer orders into one pick tour where new orders are continuously received. Using modern order-picking aids, updated picking instructions can be included in the current pick tours which allows pickers to be re-routed to pick for new orders even when they already started a pick tour. We develop a mathematical model for dynamic batch picking that minimizes the order throughput time of incoming customer orders. In case of new order arrivals, we can quickly re-optimize the model and determine new updated pick tours. This allows for short order throughput times and ensures that warehouse companies can set their order cut-off times as late as possible while still guaranteeing that orders can be delivered next day or in some cases even the same day

    Similar works