The daily necessity of this system in a facility also means meeting increasingly stringent service level agreements and striving for operational excellence in the face of higher order volumes and time constraints. To address these demands and optimise efficiency, automated technologies have emerged as a compelling solution to streamline material flow and improve productivity.
By leveraging advanced technological capabilities in the sorting processes of numerous operational functions like receiving, picking, packing, sortation, consolidation, and shipping, businesses can improve their performance, reduce operational costs, and meet the ever-growing expectations of today’s market.
Applications of Sortation Systems
There are various applications of sortation technologies in the logistics industry.
Receiving, Put-Away and Cross-Docking
In the receiving process, these technologies enable efficient return processing by sorting items for either restocking or putaway. They also facilitate put-away operations by removing cases from trailers and sorting cartons by SKU, enabling streamlined palletisation before storage. Additionally, they support cross-docking operations, ensuring the timely consolidation of just-in-time inventory for active orders.
Order Picking
During the picking process, sorters are instrumental in optimising productivity and reducing order cycle time. By routing cartons or totes to the appropriate zones, these technologies enhance split case or mixed case picking, allowing order fulfilment selectors to focus solely on orders within their designated zones.
Packing
Sorters also play a crucial role in the packing stage. They enable the consolidation of multiple tote orders at a single pack station, streamlining the packaging process and enabling shipment in the same carton. Furthermore, sorting technologies can route split case orders to specific packing tasks based on the required shipping container type, such as polybags, cartons, or gift wrapping.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sortation for Shipping
In shipping applications, sorters provide flexibility and efficiency. They can categorise orders according to carrier/service methods like LTL or small packages. Sorters are instrumental in the primary level for initial segregation or even secondary sortation as per operational requirements. Moreover, sorting technologies enable the consolidation of full case picks, or consolidate multiple e–commerce orders having similar destinations or main orders. Sorters are also used for conveying split case picks into the same lane, allowing for palletisation together or direct loading onto trailers. Sorters also find applications in the staging process for routing and holding items as per material flow requirements.
Overall, sorting technologies offer invaluable support in order picking, sorting, staging, transportation, warehousing operations, streamlining processes, improving productivity, and enhancing overall efficiency in the logistics industry.
Benefits of Sortation Automation Systems
- Increase overall efficiency, throughput and productivity
- Eliminate errors, damages, pilferages and mis-sorts
- Provide seamless process flow integrating into various steps & functions
- Process high volumes and varieties of products while accommodating varying demand fluctuations & peaks
- Improve Accuracy
- Space optimisation
- Reduce labour costs and overall operating expenditure
- Faster order processing with lower cost/order
- Safe and ergonomic workflows and environment
Additional Functions of Sortation Automation Systems
- Regulating the movement of products between different functional areas and within them
- Effectively managing workflow processing to ensure efficient operations.
- Scanning barcodes to enable accurate tracking and accountability of products
- Seamlessly integrating with inventory storage and order picking sub-systems for smooth coordination
- Featuring a modular design that allows for easy reconfiguration to adapt to future needs
- Facilitating traffic management and load distribution to optimise the flow of goods throughout the facility
Sortation Technologies
As there are multiple applications of sorting, different types of technologies are available in the market. L-A-C Logistics Automation being the UK’s leading systems integrator has a wide range of sortation automation solutions for every business need. L-A-C offers a diverse range of advanced sorting systems. Designed to optimise sorting processes and enhance operational efficiency in every function discussed above, these solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, from small-scale operations to large distribution centres.
