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A Grouping Genetic Algorithm for the Order Batching Problem in Distribution Warehouses

Author

Listed:
  • Sören Koch

    (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

  • Gerhard Wäscher

    (Faculty of Economics and Management, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg)

Abstract

Order picking is a warehouse function that deals with the retrieval of articles from their storage locations in order to satisfy certain customer demands. Combining several single customer orders into one (more substantial) picking order can increase the efficiency of warehouse operations. The Order Batching Problem considered in this paper deals with the question of how different customer orders should be grouped into picking orders, such that the total length of all tours through the warehouse is minimized, which are necessary to collect all requested articles. For the solution of this problem, the authors introduce a Grouping Genetic Algorithm. This genetic algorithm is combined with a local search procedure which results in a highly competitive hybrid algorithm. In a series of extensive numerical experiments, the algorithm is benchmarked against a genetic algorithm with a standard item-oriented encoding scheme. The results show that the new genetic algorithm based on the group-oriented encoding scheme is preferable for the Order Batching Problem, and that the algorithm provides high quality solutions in reasonable computing times.

Suggested Citation

  • Sören Koch & Gerhard Wäscher, 2011. "A Grouping Genetic Algorithm for the Order Batching Problem in Distribution Warehouses," FEMM Working Papers 110026, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:mag:wpaper:110026
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pan, C-H. & Liu, S-Y., 1995. "A comparative study of order batching algorithms," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 691-700, December.
    2. Sebastian Henn & Gerhard Wäscher, 2010. "Tabu Search Heuristics for the Order Batching Problem in Manual Order Picking Systems," FEMM Working Papers 100007, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Economics and Management.
    3. Van Nieuwenhuyse, Inneke & de Koster, René B.M., 2009. "Evaluating order throughput time in 2-block warehouses with time window batching," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(2), pages 654-664, October.
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    7. H. Donald Ratliff & Arnon S. Rosenthal, 1983. "Order-Picking in a Rectangular Warehouse: A Solvable Case of the Traveling Salesman Problem," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(3), pages 507-521, June.
    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. Sebastian Henn & Sören Koch & Karl Doerner & Christine Strauss & Gerhard Wäscher, 2009. "Metaheuristics for the Order Batching Problem in Manual Order Picking Systems," FEMM Working Papers 09020, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Faculty of Economics and Management.
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    Keywords

    Warehouse Management; Order Picking; Order Batching; Genetic Algorithms;
    All these keywords.

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