Introduce increased performance and reduction in picking errors using LightPick

Ensuring accurate picking while maintaining required throughputs is challenging. Let LightPick light the way and show you how your picking process can be accelerated.

+40%

Picking Performance

Increase throughput by reducing travel time and confusion during picking. No more looking at packing sheets while picking, just pick to the light

-95%

Error Reduction

Worry-free picking. Allow your employees to pick products without hesitation allowing them to pick faster and more efficiently. Pair with our barcode scanning system for ultimate picking accuracy

1-2 Year

Return on Investment

Reliable, durable and versatile. Low power consumption and minimal maintenance make LightPick a superior investment.

+200

Cells / 1 control box

Allow LightPick to do all the heavy work by managing complex network and communication with simple control boxes that connect to each other, making cable management a breeze.

The System at a Glance

Button Display

The ideal model for quick, single-quantity picks. Displays up to 7 unique colors for multiple picking simultaneously

Button Only

Digital Display

Multi-digit display shows you the exact quantity needed to be picked. Digital displays range from 3 to 6 positions and have 2 color options to allow for indication of precise bin location.

Quantity + Button

Screen Display

Full LED display screen to indicate the quantity, location and picture of the item needed to be picked. Adjustable display view for different products and customizable display information

SCREEN + Button

What you need to know about LightPick

What is LightPick?

LightPick is a modern, light-based paperless picking system. Order information is communicated directly from the order management system and relayed to the pick stations to display the location and quantity of the goods needed to be picked.

LightPick represents a family of pick-to-light solutions. The core component is the pick blocks; these are the individual cells that correspond to a specific shelf position and indicate when and how many need to be picked. When working in multiple picking zones, shelf bays are equipped with tower lights that further help to indicate where a pick is needed, eliminating the need to search aisle by aisle. The pick blocks have a highly visible eye-catching light, and an acknowledgment button. A display and further function keys are available based on the model. The acknowledgment button is used in order to allow the picker to confirm the removal and successful pick from a specific position. This information is immediately sent back to the warehouse management system (WMS) to confirm the inventory state and queues the next order for picking while indicating that the pick has been completed successfully.

Models equipped with the function keys (+/-) allow for simple and direct correction of withdrawal quantity in the event of stock shortage or order error. Custom programmable features can also be programmed into the function keys to allow for additional features.

All LightPick components can be paired with barcode scanners or RFID readers to initiate a picking session or to confirm the end of a pick, which can be accomplished serially or in parallel.

How does it work?

The LightPick system is incredibly user-friendly and can be broken down into 4 main steps:

  1. The picking session is activated – via a barcode scanner, physical button, or automatically through a WMS
  2. The stack tower lights indicate which aisle the first pick is from and the pick blocks indicate the precise location, quantity, and any other necessary detail about the pick
  3. The picker completes the pick and confirms with the acknowledgment key
  4. The inventory change is posted immediately in the WMS and the next pick location is indicated. Over 7 unique colors are available to allow for multiple order picking simultaneously. After a full order is complete, the system indicates to the picker so they can choose when to proceed with the next order.

How does it connect to my existing system?

All that is required to run LightPick is access to the order management system via an API and power. That’s it!  The LightPick controller allows a seamless connection from the low-level pick blocks to the higher-level order management system. All the data received is processed and queued internally so inputs and outputs to the management system are minimal. The advantages of a simple and fast interface are essential to an optimal workflow and help optimize the entire flow of the operation.

The standard interface of the LightPick system is realized via TCP/IP socket. Two asynchronous TCP/IP channels are established for data transmission in both directions.

The primary channel (download) is used for the activation and deactivation of the displays. The secondary communication channel (upload) is responsible for acknowledgments, corrections, error messages, and any additional custom special messages desired.

 

What are the parts involved?

The LightPick system is composed of 4 main key components with options for additional accessories:

  • Controller (responsible for communicating between the WMS and LightPick)
  • Pick block (display varies depending on model) and acknowledgment button
  • Mounting rails with integrated BUS (pick blocks are mounted directly to the rails with internal communication and power bars)
  • Cabling between the mounting rails and controller

Accessories include stack tower lights, barcode scanners, RFID readers, Wifi controllers, and mobile shelving.

Assembly, installation, and commissioning are very straightforward and simple. LightPick was designed for a quick set-up. Since all the pick blocks are mounted directly to the mounting rails and wired internally, it becomes a plug’n-start solution as soon as it’s attached to the shelving.

The Overview

System Architecture

The overview of LightPicks architecture is quite simple. The order management system (in many cases the WMS or ERP) receives order data from an external or internal source. There is a lot of information included in this data but much of it is unnecessary for picking. LightPick’s control box extracts the necessary information and sends it out to the pick blocks to activate the picking process. The pick blocks 2-way communication channel accepts the information and displays the required information. The confirmation button sends an acknowledgment back to LightPick’s control box which updates the WMS or ERP system to keep inventory updated.

The simple system architecture of LightPick allows it to be very flexible when it comes to changing or upgrading the system if for example, more lines need to be added or if shelf positions change locations. All the system information is easily available from a computer on-site or can be accessed remotely, to keep in check with current picks or to change any system parameters in real-time.

Server

The server is the standalone computer responsible for communicating with the ERP system and the Control Box to display order information and manage inventory

Control Box

The Control Box is tasked with queuing the order data sent from the server and managing the LightPick outputs to display the data

LightPick

LightPick consists of many pick blocks that connect together to help you pick more efficiently. All accessories can be directly connected to the system and can work as standalone units or in conjunction with an existing system

The Advantages

1

Throughput

Looking at pick slips is a time waster of the past…LightPick does the searching for you and tells you exactly where to go, saving you time on the ground to pick more orders. By utilizing all colors available on LightPick, it is possible to pick multiple orders simultaneously while maintaining accurate picking

2

Error Reduction

Fewer pick errors from incorrect items being picked due to the unique bright indicator lights, and no missing removals with the assistance of the acknowledgment button. The additional function keys allow for stock adjustment so your inventory is always updated in real-time

3

Ease of Use

Bright colors and big buttons…you can’t go wrong. Training becomes as quick as the speed of light allowing for more flexibility in task allocation.

4

Versatility

Tool-free adjustment of pick block locations in the event of location changes. With the built-in wiring strips in the mounting bars, no wiring is needed to be dealt with when making swapping or changing the location of pick blocks. All models of LightPick pick blocks can be swapped in any given location allowing for maximum flexibility to changes in the future

5

Efficiency

Drastically reduces travel and search time of articles and increases the efficiency and productivity of picking orders

6

Freedom

Working with a paperless model frees up the operator’s hands allowing for greater freedom of movement and enhances their pick quality by optimizing their focus and attention

Digital Display

The digit display model is ideal when needing many quick picks at various quantities. It is equipped with an indicator light, a confirmation button, a digital display area, as well as a function key that can be custom programmed for several unique uses. You can select from a 3, 4 5, or 6 digital display area which can also indicate in separate colors additional pick information. A status indicator always tell you the status of the system and of the block, and each block can be individually replaced if damaged without affecting the rest of the line.

Screen Display

The screen display model shows you all the information you could want when tasked with a pick. It can be easily customized to show different information depending on the product and can display information such as serial numbers, batch numbers, descriptive information, and even a picture of the item. It shares in common all the additional features of the digit display model including the function button, as well as the status indicator light. As with all models, each pick block can be individually replaced in the case of any damage without affecting the rest of the line allowing for minimal downtime.

The Simple Solution for a Bright Warehouse.