Software for the Pick-by-Light system
Our Pick-by-Light system software handles the complete control of the bin displays, the workflow, and the interface with the higher-level system. It is designed differently for order picking, assembly tasks, and production support. To fulfill all these tasks, our software is highly modular and professionally structured.
Software Architecture
The LUCA Server software forms the foundation of our systems. It controls all data communication between the individual modules, interfaces, and processes. The application software was developed entirely in the high-speed programming language C++ and is platform-independent. Currently, versions are available for Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems, although the Windows versions are used much more frequently. The required computer (PC or server) is often provided by the customer. Learn more details in the article: LUCA-Server.
Software module for controlling the Pick-by-Light bin indicators
The software module for directly controlling the hardware of the Pick-by-Light bin indicators performs the following tasks:
- Communication with network-enabled pick-by-light controllers.
- Management of the physical and logical addresses of the Pick-by-Light bin displays.
- Management of logical zones, mechanisms for quantity adjustments, and key press feedback.
- Real-time maintenance and diagnostic functions for all system components.
- System configurations and the mapping of logical addresses to physical components.
What are the physical and logical addresses in the Pick-by-Light software?
Each panel display has a globally unique physical address. The controller uses this address to communicate with the panel displays. It consists of a four-character combination of numbers and letters (e.g., s5Gu or hbF8).
To enable a simple designation for each bin (e.g., as a storage location), the system software associates a logical address with the physical address, which must also be unique. The logical address can then be easily used directly in the pick-by-light system structure by the higher-level warehouse management and ERP systems.
Programs for workflow processes
Using only the application software module described above for controlling the pick-by-light components, the display panels are configured and ready for use. However, they do not light up. To make them light up, a workflow must be integrated into the computer program. There are several options for doing this:
- The warehouse management software controls the entire process itself and fully replicates the entire logic.
- Our standard process for controlling the functions is used (for more information, see: Standard Process in a Pick-by-Light System)
- We develop a software module tailored to your specific requirements for the workflow.
Depending on the data processing requirements, we support the following methods in the application workflows.
Single-Order Picking
This is also our standard procedure. Here, only one order is processed at a time. Once the application software is activated, the corresponding compartment indicators light up, and the picker confirms the items removed by pressing a confirmation button. We have various add-ons available for activating orders. Read more about single-order picking for pick-by-light in a separate article.
Multi-Order-Picking
The system software manages multiple orders simultaneously and guides employees through the picking process based on the type of order, particularly during order picking. We typically develop the computer program ourselves to handle this complex control system. Learn more in the article: Multi-Order-Picking Pick-by-Light.
Multi-user picking
Multiple pickers can work simultaneously in a picking zone. We’ll show you how this works in the article: Multi-User Picking with Pick-by-Light.
Software interface
To process order data, the pick-by-light system requires an interface to the higher-level system. There are standard interfaces and custom interfaces, which we describe in separate articles. Simple files containing the pick lists are the simplest solution. We provide specific documentation for each system. The software interface is independent of the operating system.