Software for multi-user picking with pick-by-light

Multiple employees in a pick-by-light picking zone (multi-user picking)

A pick-by-light system in a warehouse consists of many compartment displays mounted on the storage compartments. The displays show the picker the quantity to be picked directly at the storage compartment. The picker confirms the pick directly at the acknowledgment button on the compartment display.

In standard cases, picking is divided into picking zones where a single employee works. The pick-by-light software activates a single picking order (or a batch for Multi-Order-Picking).

In some situations, however, several employees are required to work with pick-by-light in the same picking zone. Each employee picks their own picking order. Here we show you the optimal pick-by-light process with multi-user picking and explain exactly how our software works.

Multi-user picking can be implemented with different visual picking systems. A related system variant is the pick-to-light system, which supports multiple users and parallel orders simultaneously thanks to its clearly structured system design.

What is the solution for multi-user picking and pick-by-light?

Order picking with pick-by-light starts with different methods. You can find out more about this in the separate article "Methods for starting picking orders with pick-by-light." Once the picking order has been started, our application software can also control the process in different ways. There are two options here: single-order picking and Multi-Order-Picking, which differ significantly in principle.

However, to simplify the topic, we will use a simple picking method to explain multi-user picking, in which all compartment indicators are activated simultaneously. This is the classic pick-by-light process (single-order picking).

So you start the picking order and activate all the relevant compartment displays. Your colleague, the second picker, does the same. What happens now? If your and his pick-by-light compartment displays light up at the same time with the same color, you will not be able to distinguish his orders from yours.

Solution 1: Each picker must be assigned their own color.

The LEDs on the displays have seven different colors, making assignment easy. When activating a multi-user picking order, the employee must first identify themselves by scanning a barcode or selecting a color.

Our tip: We always recommend that employees keep the same color at least for the whole day.

If the displays for both orders are switched on, a problem arises here if some compartments are occupied twice. In this case, removal from the storage compartment must be carried out consecutively (serialization).

Solution 2: Removal from identical storage compartments takes place one after the other.

Even though our pick-by-light displays have split LEDs (top and bottom), which theoretically allows both colors to be displayed simultaneously, the removal and display of the removal quantity must take place one after the other. To achieve this, the control system in our software is specially synchronized.

Only after the first withdrawal has been acknowledged will the second one be displayed.

In other words: After activating the second order, all shelf compartments of the first order light up, as well as the shelf compartments of the second order that do not overlap. So how is the second employee supposed to know that his removal will also be displayed later, after his colleague's removal? The answer is very simple.

Solution 3: The LEDs of the storage compartments with multiple assignments start flashing.

The flashing LEDs indicate to both employees that the second pick will follow the first. This means that the first picker must complete their pick at the flashing storage compartment more quickly so that their colleague can also make their pick. At the same time, the second employee notices from their colleague's flashing compartments that they will soon have to make a pick.

This solution is very intuitive and quick to understand.

So what happens if the second employee is faster than the first? This can happen if the first employee has to count large quantities in their storage compartments or has many more items in the picking order than the second employee.

Solution 4: If necessary, the order of withdrawals can be changed using the F key when the LEDs are flashing.

The F key can be freely configured for the pick-by-light compartment displays. We use this option in the software and change the order of the picks when the key is pressed. This allows the second employee to "bring his pick forward." In this case, the LED flashes in his color and he can complete his picks immediately.

Conclusion

Multiple employees can pick orders simultaneously in a picking zone without any problems. The synchronization of the picks is coordinated in the software of the multi-user picking process. Although 7 colors are available in the LED, we recommend from experience a maximum of 3 pickers in one picking zone. Otherwise, the optimal orientation of the pickers is no longer given and the waiting times for the picks of colleagues are too long.