Education

We are committed to educating our customers and providing you with the resources and tools necessary to fully understand the material handling industry. This area will continue to grow and develop, so be sure to check back often for new links and information.

To Get the Right Answer, Ask the Right Question
When a warehouse manager suspects poor system performance, the first step is typically to check the real data. Unfortunately, more than 50% of the time, system performance is measured incorrectly. Data is only as good as the methods used to calculate it; if something is measured the wrong way, the results will be wrong. This may lead to the justification of system changes, or even an entirely new system, based on imprecise data. Learn some of the common mistakes made when measuring system performance.

Lights, Voice, Action!
Presented at ProMat 2007, this presentation provides an overview of several new technologies available today that may be used to replace yesterday’s paper picking methods. Includes variables such as entry fee, training, safety, flexibility, productivity, accuracy, and where each technology is best applied.

Finding a Better Way
Unlike the rest of the material handling industry, storage and order picking for lighter weight, bulkier goods has not changed much in the last 20 years. Industries such as apparel and footwear distribution have seen many advances in conveyance and sortation, but the conventional approach to storage and picking is still high-bay shelving and RF. We have now developed a new version of our horizontal carousel system designed specifically for lighter weight and bulkier items.

Crossing Into New Territory
It has been more than twenty years since the Vertical Lift Module (VLM) was introduced into the material handling industry. In that time, we’ve seen a variety of enhancements, ranging from larger tray sizes to heavier capacities. All of these enhancements have been small changes to existing features, but this machine has now evolved into its next generation - the multi-bay VLM. This new version builds upon all of the existing benefits of a single-bay machine - increased productivity, improved picking accuracy, better employee ergonomics, valuable floor space recovery, enhanced security, better employee retention, reduced shrinkage and improved house keeping with a fully enclosed system - and takes it to the next level.

I Can Integrate This System Myself...Or Can I?
It’s always tempting to do your own integration. After all, how hard can it be? You already know what the system should do - it’s just a matter of getting everything installed in the right order. And if you don’t have the time to do it, the hardware manufacturer will have a project manager that can take care of it. However, there is much more to consider here than just installing everything in the correct order.

Webcast: The New Paradigm for WCS: The Software-Managed Material Handling System
What is the difference between a software-managed and a software-controlled material handling system? A software-controlled system simply executes transactions as required by the WMS. A software-managed system not only handles those transactions, but efficiently plans and routes the work through the system in the course of the day. It continuously optimizes the many operations that a WMS is not equipped to handle. This presentation describes the key features of a software-managed material handling system and outlines the benefits of bringing a new level of software-management to the distribution process.

Webcast: Marketing specified it, engineering designed it and manufacturing built it...why doesn't it work?
Productive, business centric distribution systems are the result of carefully considered data analysis, concept development, project planning, and the application of appropriate technologies. This, coupled with well-executed operational integration, leads to successful distribution solutions. We examine the steps required and the resulting outcome when a proper design and execution are in place.

Curbing Your Maintenance & Repair Costs
Do maintenance and service play a role in your operations as you run your material handling equipment? Do you adhere to the service schedule recommended by the manufacturer? If not, you may be costing yourself a lot more money – both in repair costs and downtime – than is necessary.

Why Your Material Handling System May Not Be Performing As Expected
Integrated order fulfillment systems are the result of careful planning and countless hours of analysis and design. A major step in this process is understanding your universe of SKUs in terms of the frequency of hits and the associated cubic velocity. How often an item is picked and replenished is a key factor influencing the performance of your overall system.

The Benefits of Modular Horizontal Carousel Design
Over the years, horizontal carousels have proven one of the most reliable and cost effective means of storing products, as they achieve high pick rates with excellent cube utilization. The size and use of carousel systems varies significantly, from small stockroom applications and hand picking point-of-use items to large fully integrated systems moving thousands of boxes per day in a fully automated, highly sophisticated design. As a result of value engineering, horizontal carousel systems have evolved throughout several permutations to achieve a very flexible and versatile product.

Why Continuous Slotting Is So Critical
Anyone would agree that slotting (the ideal placement of products in a warehouse) has an enormous effect on the productivity of a distribution center. In a typical picking system, it can mean the difference between 60 and 200 lines per man hour pick rates. Many integrators, consultants, and warehouse professionals spend considerable time deciding how to slot warehouses. In most cases, this effort is part of a new system design or a reaction to a new storage or picking technology. Although everyone recognizes the value of slotting at these times, few continue the process after the initial effort.

The Pitfalls of Averages
“I have a good handle on my operator productivity, but some days we just can’t get everything out the door, and other days I send people home early”. Is this your frustration? It’s possible that the answer you’re searching for is hidden in the numbers.

The Secret to Success in Your Next Material Handling Project
Think about your last DC project, whether it was purchasing a piece of equipment or designing an entirely new material handling system. Were your expectations met? Was the project completed on time and on budget? Do you trust that your vendor will provide you with the customer service and support that you’ll need down the road? If not, you may have overlooked a critical factor in the vendor selection process. More than simply finding the least expensive option or which company can get the job done the fastest, vendor selection has a great deal to do with the approach to the relationship.

Overcoming the Challenges of Split Case Picking
Split case picking generally accounts for a small percentage of warehouse revenue, but a large percentage of order picking labor. This gives distribution companies two choices: get more efficient in split case picking or get rid of it. We’ve had numerous conversations with executives from major distributors discussing ways to eliminate slower moving split case SKUs. In almost every instance, the sales and marketing benefits of a large line card trump operational productivity. So that leaves one option – get better!

The Next Generation of Vertical Storage
Over the years, vertical storage systems have proven very beneficial in saving space and providing an efficient means of storing and retrieving goods. However, design limitations have restricted use to specific types of applications. In the last few years, significant advances have been made in both vertical carousel and vertical lift module technology which make these systems a viable option for a much larger range of applications.

Bridging the Gap: Bringing together order execution and material flow control in a real time environment
Although the Warehouse Control System (WCS) concept has been expanded over time to include features that help to optimize facilities (tote routing, wave planning, buffer management, etc.), it has its limitations. A WCS provides little, if any help if you do not have an automated system. An entirely new class of software has been introduced that is designed to "bridge the gap" between your existing inventory control/WMS software and the movement of material throughout your facilities. This revolutionary concept restructures the traditional software hierarchy, bringing together all facets of order execution and material flow control in a real time environment.

Finding Balance in Manufacturing, Assembly, and Processing Operations: Using Carousel Buffer Systems to Efficiently Plan Operations
Manufacturing output doesn’t always parallel assembly schedules; inventory availability may not match building or processing timelines. If the capability to manufacture product exceeds the ability to assemble it, then the excess manufactured product must be stored so that it’s available when assembly is ready to accept it. Fortunately in the business world, material handling systems can manage these imbalances for us and help us achieve production and delivery schedules.

Choosing the Right Picking Technology for Your Operation
In the ever expanding market for order fulfillment technologies that deliver improved performance, higher accuracy, and greater return on investment, several technologies have emerged as practical options and are being implemented much more frequently. Light-directed, voice-directed and wireless picking systems are all technologies available today. But how do you know which one is right for your facility?

Making Your DC Work Harder
When it comes to material handling, what is the one major truth that many distribution companies are not willing to admit? Their material handling equipment, the system they spent millions of dollars on, is under utilized. Unlike manufacturing, distribution is influenced by seasonal fluctuations. We use the excuse that capacity must be in place for the holiday season to explain away the fact that our equipment is not functioning at full capacity throughout a large part of the year. However, the true reason for this under utilization is the fact that the software that controls order execution on the distribution floor does not provide the appropriate functionality. In response, we over-automate.

MHIA Glossary
An excellent resource - provides hundreds of material handling industry terms and definitions.

Material Handling Industry Research
Research provided by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). Includes a material handling equipment manufacturing history and forecast, market analysis by industry segment, and several useful links.

MHIA Bookstore
This online bookstore shares a wealth of professional and educational materials for the material handling industry.

AS/RS Standards
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved safety standards for Automatic Storage / Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) related technologies: Horzontal Carousel Material Handling and Associated Equipment, Storage/Retrieval Machines and Associated Equipment.

Order Picking Technologies (PDF)
A summary of the various order picking technologies available and the benefits of each (includes an overview of pick to light, horizontal and vertical carousels, vertical lift modules, static shelving, flow rack, pallet pick, and more).

Improving Split/Broken Case Operations (PDF)
A presentation on improving split and broken case picking, addressing labor, cost and accuracy issues. Covers what data is important to analyze and gain insights into selecting the best technology solution.

Analysis of Issues Affecting Bearing Life in Top and Bottom-Driven Horizontal Carousels
Questions have often been raised regarding the issue of bearing life in top vs. bottom drive horizontal carousels. A closer examination reveals that bearing life is dependent on a variety of factors.

AS/RS Application, Benefits and Justification in Comparison With Other Storage Methods: A White Paper
This White Paper has been written to demonstrate the application, benefits and justification of AS/RS crane-in-aisle based technology. It uses a comparison for a given solution to a VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) man aboard industrial truck solution for a given application. This comparison considers the application criteria, the layout of the two solutions, the strengths and weaknesses of each, the capital costs, the operational costs and the economic justification. © MHIA AS/RS Product Section.

AS/RS Application, Benefits and Justification in Comparison With Other Storage Methods: A White Paper - Replenishment System for Distribution Center
This White Paper has been written to demonstrate the application, benefits and justification of AS/RS crane-in-aisle based technology. It uses a comparison of an AS/RS solution to a VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) man aboard industrial truck solution for a given application. This comparison considers the application criteria, the layout of the two solutions, the strengths and weaknesses of each, the capital costs, the operational costs and the economic justification. It is a follow-up to a similar White Paper completed in 1999 (see above). © MHIA AS/RS Product Section.