Fewer Shifts, More Orders Processed, Virtually Error-Free

Pick-to-Light & Put-to-Light Systems

A Bright Spot in Customer Order Fulfillment

Pick-to-light and put-to-light systems offer sophisticated picking technology in an intuitive, user-friendly package. You can simplify the picking process for high-volume item fulfillment, reducing the potential for human error. Integrated with existing warehouse management systems (WMS), pick-to-light helps streamline operations and maintain real-time inventory control.

Pick and Put-to-Light systems guide operators to SKU locations using LED displays for picking or placing items, significantly speeding up the process. This efficiency allows for more orders to be processed in fewer shifts with minimal errors.

What’s the difference between put-to-light systems?

A pick-to-light system directs the picker to the SKU location for order fulfillment. The pick slot lights up and indicates the pick amount. The picker then confirms the pick by pressing a button, ensuring accuracy, greater inventory control, and order fulfillment efficiency.

A put-to-light system guides operators to SKU locations, ensuring precise item placement into bins or containers for order packing or replenishment. These systems are invaluable for efficient and accurate stocking and restocking activities, and maintaining optimal inventory management.

This integration also facilitates easier system management, allowing for quick adjustments and monitoring of performance metrics --Ultimately delivering increased operational efficiency and productivity.

Key Benefits of Pick-to-Light Systems

Increased pick & put accuracy
Improved productivity
Fast training & adoption
Real-time inventory tracking
Flexible & scalable

Apex automation specialists can help identify the best application to meet your inventory and processing goals. Contact us today to speak with an automation expert.

talk to an expert

Light-Guided Picking Technology Features & Capabilities

When choosing your pick-to-light or put-to-light system, consider your operational needs, such as order volume, product types, distribution complexity, flexibility, and scalability to adapt to changing demands. The main features of your system will include:

Color-Coded & Detailed Displays - Operators can quickly identify the pick or put zones and respond accurately to the instructions, ultimately reducing errors and speeding up the process.
Scanners—Verify item accuracy via barcode matching, updating stock counts in real-time. For put systems, the scanner can trigger corresponding light modules for precise location guidance.
Real-Time Data Analytics - Monitors and analyzes picking activities to optimize workflows and reduce bottlenecks.
IoT Integration - Connects devices across the warehouse to streamline operations and enhance system communication, improving overall efficiency.
Customization - Remember that your system will be tailored to fit your specific warehouse layouts, product types, and operational needs, ensuring flexibility and scalability for different business models.

Apex is your go-to source for picking automation solutions for your order. With over 150 years of combined automation technology experience and thousands of successful project implementations, our team is ready to meet all your service needs.

FAQs: Put- & Pick-to-Light Systems

Let the Apex team help clarify common queries about put- and pick-to-light systems.

How do put- and pick-to-light systems improve warehouse efficiency?

Answer: These systems reduce the time spent searching for items by using visual signals to guide operations. This streamlined process decreases picking errors, increases order processing speed, and reduces training time for new employees.

What facilities benefit the most from light-guided systems?

Answer: Warehouses handling high volumes of small to medium-sized orders, such as e-commerce fulfillment centers and retail distribution, benefit significantly from these systems due to their efficiency in managing vast and varied inventories.

Are there different types of displays used in these systems?

Answer: Yes, these systems can use various displays, including simple LED lights, alphanumeric displays, or even touch screens that provide additional information and interaction options to the user.

How are errors minimized?

Answer: The systems minimize errors by providing clear, unmistakable visual cues directly at the item’s location, ensuring that the correct item is picked or placed. Operators often confirm each action by pressing a button or scanning a barcode, which helps to verify the accuracy before proceeding.

What are the installation requirements for these systems?

Answer: Installation generally involves setting up the light modules, sensors, and software integration with the WMS. The complexity can vary depending on the warehouse size and the system's specific customization.

What is the typical ROI period?

Answer: The return on investment can vary, but many businesses report seeing efficiency improvements and error rate reductions that lead to an ROI within 1 to 2 years of implementation.

Can these systems be customized for different operational needs?

Answer: Absolutely, put/pick-to-light systems are highly customizable. They can be adapted to different warehouse layouts, item sizes, and operational strategies to meet specific business requirements.

What training is required for staff using these systems?

- Answer: Training for these systems is typically straightforward and quick, as the guidance system's intuitive design and visual nature simplify the learning process. Most workers can become proficient within a few hours.

Get a quote