History and development of pick-by-light

The history of pick-by-light systems dates back to the early 1990s. The first pick-by-light displays were designed as "shift registers" and connected to a collection zone controller. Key presses were registered via a terminating resistor, evaluated, and sent back to the controller. The pick-by-light features were very limited.

At that time, communication between the PC with a 286 processor (DOS operating system) and the zone controllers was handled via numerous RS485 channels (special hardware). Due to the long cables, communication was slow and the cabling was very complex. That was back then...

Today, pick-by-light systems are designed very differently. Each display is equipped with its own microprocessor and has many diagnostic and individual functions. There are many different versions with various tasks. Communication between the controllers is based on TCP/IP. The entire process logic is LUCA-Server in the LUCA-Server and can be customized to a high degree. Unfortunately, there are still market providers who continue to use the old, unreliable technology.