Software of the Pick-to-Light system
Our software of the Pick-to-Light system takes over the complete control of the compartment displays, the process and the interface to the higher-level system. It is designed differently for order picking, assembly activities and production support. In order to fulfill all these tasks, our program is very modular and professionally structured.
Structure of the software
The LUCA-Server software is the basis of our systems. It controls all data communication between the individual modules, interfaces and processes. The application software was developed entirely in the fast programming language C++ and is platform-independent. Versions for Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems are currently available, although the Windows versions are used much more frequently. The required computer (PC or server) is often provided by the customer. Find out more details in the article: LUCA-Server.
Software module for controlling the Pick-to-Light compartment displays
The software module for direct control of the hardware of the Pick-to-Light compartment displays has the following tasks:
- Communication with the network-compatible Pick-to-Light controllers.
- Management of the physical and logical addresses of the Pick-to-Light compartment displays.
- Management of logical zones, quantity correction mechanisms and keystroke feedback.
- Maintenance and diagnostic functions for all system components in real time.
- System configurations and assignment of logical addresses to the physical components.
What is the physical and logical address in the Pick-to-Light software?
Each compartment display has a globally unique physical address. The controller can use this address to address the compartment displays. It consists of a four-digit combination of numbers and letters (e.g. s5Gu or hbF8).
To enable simple designation of each compartment display (e.g. as a storage location), a logical address is stored in the system software for the physical address, which must also be unique. The logical address can then be used directly by the higher-level warehouse management and ERP system in the Pick-to-Light system structure.
Programs for workflow processes
The compartment displays are configured and ready for use with just the application software module described above for controlling the Pick-to-Light components. However, they do not light up. For this, a sequence process must be integrated into the computer program. There are several options for this:
- The warehouse management software controls the entire process itself and completely replicates the entire logic.
- Our standard process is used to control the flow of functions (more on this in: Standard flow in a Pick-to-Light system)
- We develop a software module for the workflow process to suit your requirements.
Depending on the data processing, we support the following methods in the application processes.
Single-order picking
This is also our standard procedure. Only one order is processed at a time. Once the application software has been activated, the appropriate compartment displays light up and the picker confirms the picks using an acknowledgement button. Various extensions are available to activate the orders. Read more about single-order picking for Pick-to-Light in a separate article.
Multi-Order-Picking
Several orders are managed simultaneously in the system software and, depending on the type of construction, the employee is guided specifically during order picking. We usually develop the computer program for the complex control system. Find out more in the article: Multi-Order-Picking with Pick-to-Light.
Multi-user picking
Several pickers can also work simultaneously in one picking zone. We show you how this works in the article: Multi-user picking with Pick-to-Light.
Software interface
In order to process the order data, the Pick-to-Light system needs an interface to the higher-level system. There are standard interfaces and customer-specific interfaces, which we describe in separate articles. Simple files with the pick lists are the simplest solution. We supply special documentation for each system. The software interface is independent of the operating system.
Many years of experience in paperless picking
