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Batch Construction Heuristics and Storage Assignment Strategies for Walk/Ride and Pick Systems

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  • Robert A. Ruben

    (New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico 87801)

  • F. Robert Jacobs

    (Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47403)

Abstract

The retrieval of items from storage is a chore faced by virtually every business concern. Walk/ride and pick systems are a popular method for performing this chore in many applications. When retrieval requests consist of multiple items, order pickers must travel to numerous storage locations to complete each order. When these requests are made in sufficient volume, a method of order retrieval known as batch picking is often used. Batch picking is a popular approach in the mail-order industry and is employed in industrial settings such as tool cribs and in warehouses, which service assembly line operations. Batch construction heuristics are developed and tested under three strategies for assigning storage space to individual items that have been suggested in the literature. Our results are derived from the simulation of a single hypothetical warehouse model. Specifically, we employ a model that is square in travel distance and assume the walk and pick method of order retrieval with sequential one-way travel. Sensitivity analysis is performed on workforce level and batch size. Our results indicate that the methods used for constructing batches of orders and for assigning storage space to individual items can significantly impact order retrieval efforts in warehouses of this type.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert A. Ruben & F. Robert Jacobs, 1999. "Batch Construction Heuristics and Storage Assignment Strategies for Walk/Ride and Pick Systems," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 45(4), pages 575-596, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:45:y:1999:i:4:p:575-596
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.45.4.575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Amir Hossein Gharehgozli & Yugang Yu & Xiandong Zhang & René de Koster, 2017. "Polynomial Time Algorithms to Minimize Total Travel Time in a Two-Depot Automated Storage/Retrieval System," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 51(1), pages 19-33, February.
    2. Çağla Cergibozan & A. Serdar Tasan, 2019. "Order batching operations: an overview of classification, solution techniques, and future research," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 335-349, January.
    3. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Braekers, Kris & Depaire, Benoît & Caris, An, 2018. "Increasing order picking efficiency by integrating storage, batching, zone picking, and routing policy decisions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 243-261.
    4. Yu, Y. & de Koster, M.B.M., 2007. "Optimal Zone Boundaries for Two-class-based Compact 3D AS/RS," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2007-034-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    5. Wagner, Stefan & Mönch, Lars, 2023. "A variable neighborhood search approach to solve the order batching problem with heterogeneous pick devices," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 304(2), pages 461-475.
    6. Stef Moons & Katrien Ramaekers & An Caris & Yasemin Arda, 2018. "Integration of order picking and vehicle routing in a B2C e-commerce context," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 813-843, December.
    7. Hong, Soondo & Johnson, Andrew L. & Peters, Brett A., 2012. "Batch picking in narrow-aisle order picking systems with consideration for picker blocking," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 221(3), pages 557-570.
    8. Petersen, Charles G. & Aase, Gerald, 2004. "A comparison of picking, storage, and routing policies in manual order picking," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 11-19, November.
    9. Hsieh, Ling-Feng & Huang, Yi-Chen, 2011. "New batch construction heuristics to optimise the performance of order picking systems," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(2), pages 618-630, June.
    10. Fangyu Chen & Yongchang Wei & Hongwei Wang, 2018. "A heuristic based batching and assigning method for online customer orders," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 640-685, December.
    11. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Caris, An & de Koster, René B.M., 2018. "Designing efficient order picking systems by combining planning problems: State-of-the-art classification and review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 1-15.
    12. de Koster, M.B.M. & Le-Duc, T. & Roodbergen, K.J., 2006. "Design and Control of Warehouse Order Picking: a literature review," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2006-005-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    13. Hong, Soondo & Kim, Youngjoo, 2017. "A route-selecting order batching model with the S-shape routes in a parallel-aisle order picking system," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 257(1), pages 185-196.
    14. de Koster, Rene & Le-Duc, Tho & Roodbergen, Kees Jan, 2007. "Design and control of warehouse order picking: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 182(2), pages 481-501, October.
    15. Zheng Wang & Jiuh‐Biing Sheu & Chung‐Piaw Teo & Guiqin Xue, 2022. "Robot Scheduling for Mobile‐Rack Warehouses: Human–Robot Coordinated Order Picking Systems," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(1), pages 98-116, January.
    16. Gu, Jinxiang & Goetschalckx, Marc & McGinnis, Leon F., 2007. "Research on warehouse operation: A comprehensive review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(1), pages 1-21, February.
    17. Kuhn, Heinrich & Schubert, Daniel & Holzapfel, Andreas, 2021. "Integrated order batching and vehicle routing operations in grocery retail – A General Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search algorithm," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(3), pages 1003-1021.

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