Picking
The heart of the Kiva automated material handling
system is the goods-to-man picking process. The Kiva solution
was conceived and built to make item, split-case, each, and full
case picking 2 to 4 times more productive than alternative picking
methods. The solution provides world-class inventory and
order accuracy. To do this, we turned the picking process
upside down. Operators stay in work stations and the system
delivers any product to any worker at any time, resulting in lower
labor costs and shorter cycle times, all available in a fraction of
the time required to install other automated order picking
equipment. Accuracy is achieved through the innovative
station-based pick-to-light, put-to-light and scanning capabilities
which are available for all items.
Kiva makes picking a competitive advantage:
- Increase order picking productivity
- Reduce order cycle times from hours to minutes
- React quickly to changes in product or demand
- Achieve world-class accuracy
- Pick to cartons, totes and pallets
- Workers pick multiple orders simultaneously and pick each order
completely
Features of Kiva Systems Goods-to-Man Order Picking
Adjusts to Product Changes - Products are
automatically slotted based on their velocity, with fast-moving
products stored near workers. As a SKU's velocity changes, its
storage location will also change.
Inline Quality Control - Operator workflow can
include a product UPC scan, a visual inspection, or another
verification to ensure that the worker has picked the right
item.
Adapts to Worker Attributes - Work can be sent to
operators based on their individual abilities. High-value items,
for instance, can be sent only to trusted, long-term workers, or
accessible-only work can be sent to a disabled worker in a
wheelchair.
Workstations Offer Differing Capabilities - Each
workstation can have unique equipment. For example, orders
that require gift-wrapping can be sent to workstations equipped
with special packaging materials.