What is a Put-to-Light System?

Put-to-light is a semi-automated order-picking method that increases operator throughput by using light sources to place items in containers. One of these semi-automated picking solutions, including pick-to-light, voice-picking systems, and RF scanners, is your best option for minimizing order processing mistakes. These solutions are designed to enhance efficiency. 

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Put-to-light systems, sometimes called sort-to-light and pick-to-light in reverse, use LED light-emitting diodes to direct operators where to place the products and how much to put into each package and container or drawer on the shelf. Put-to-primary Light aims to efficiently and accurately sort items into the containers employed to ship orders.

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For effective pick-to-cart operations, put-to-light solutions can be deployed on selecting shelves or carts. According to how put-to-light operates, each container has a corresponding light. The display at the appropriate place indicates to the operator where and how much inventory to leave.

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Put-to-light systems are easy to implement & operate, and that's why it is used in multiple applications. These are widely used in order fulfillment because of their accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. It holds a bunch of features that we have listed in the below sections:

• Get different scanning options

• Simple implementation & easy to access

• Receive better productivity

• Grab better flexibility in low maintenance

• Multi-color displays

• Integrated with the advanced technologies

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Related: Types of Warehouse Management Systems

Benefits of Put-to-Light Systems

The semi-automated put-to-light method comes with several benefits. These consist of the following:

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Agility

When choosing orders-Put-to-light speeds up the concurrent preparation of several orders. After sorting the things into various containers, the operator deposits the precise amount of commodities shown on display. This picking flexibility reduces order cycle times, which improves logistical service.

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Less picking errors

Warehouse pickers' decision-making is automated via put-to-light and pick-to-light systems, reducing the likelihood of picking errors brought on by manual management.

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Traveling off the operator is optimized

The semi-automated picking method makes it easier to prepare orders as workers may fill one or more requests with all the required items in a single trip through the warehouse.

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Leveraged Effectiveness

Put-to-light systems are often arranged according to your current work area, which helps to reduce walking and therefore increases efficiency. Additionally, your put-to-light system follows the sequence if it needs to go through various work zones, minimizing time. Some pick-to-light systems can also be mounted on conveyor systems or mobile carts, enabling one operator to complete an order via several warehouse zones.

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Decreased labor cost

Among the highest costs in warehouse operations is using conventional order-picking techniques. But when you put technologies in place for less walking, faster order fulfillment, and higher order accuracy, these things result in one significant advantage for your warehouse: lower labor expenses. This is a natural outcome of more productivity and manufacturing, but it deserves special attention. Your pick-to-light system will quickly generate a profit.

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No paper is used

It's significant to emphasize the advantages of a cashless picking method, which are related to the benefit of greater efficiency. In other words, your operators save time by skipping the step of looking through paper records.

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Related: How to Use a Warehouse Bin System for Best Results?

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What Is Pick To Light System?

Order-fulfillment technology is pick to Light and aims to increase picking precision and effectiveness while reducing labor expenses. Pick to Light, a notable paperless picking, placing, sorting, and assembly system uses alphanumeric displays and buttons at storage places to direct your personnel.

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Pick the light system is widely used in warehousing operations. The system is famous as an excellent tool for increasing productivity and efficiency. It is used for ease to use access. Depending on the warehousing needs, a business can implement the standalone systems. Analyzing productivity and producing pick rate reports will be accessible through this.

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Pick-to-light systems are:

• Straightforward yet reliable solutions to simplify your warehouse picking processes.

• Boosting productivity.

• Efficiency.

• Picking accuracy while lowering costs.

How Does Pick to Light Work?

In a warehouse, pick-to-light systems vary slightly, but the most common technology operates as follows:

1. The item barcodes on temporary and reusable holding containers, such as shipment cartons, are scanned by operators.
2. An operator-guiding route is then illuminated on the system's alphanumeric display (often made of LED lights), directing them to the designated storage spot. The algorithm then advises which things should be chosen and in what quantity.
3. After selecting the item(s) and putting them in the concentrate, the operator confirms their selection by pressing a button.
4. Until all things have been selected and deposited in appropriate holding containers, the system keeps doing this and lighting each region for choosing.

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Additional choices can be available depending on the pick-to-light system. Select to Light frequently features an acknowledgment key and a computerized readout in contrast to the LED display to provide more thorough instructions and alternatives. For instance, the system you choose may let staff members record simple information, like changes in pick size; alternative methods might record specific instructions, order quantities, zone directions, and other details.

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Related: 6 Main Types of Warehouse Storage Systems

What is the Difference between Pick to Light and Put to Light? 

The supervisor's role during the process is where the moderately automated epic-to-light and put-to-light systems diverge most. Pick-to-light entails removing the number of products specified by the containers, whereas put-to-light involves the operator placing the item in boxes or drawers.

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Because both picking systems include LED displays on the picking shelves and are intended to expedite order fulfillment while minimizing mistakes, they must be corrected. Both systems also need sophisticated software to control the operators' usage of RF scanners and LED displays.

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Put-to-light is the opposite of a pick-to-light method. By simply reversing the flow, put-to-light systems will direct operators to arrange arriving items in a retail shop, whether grouped as client orders or organized in any other way.

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In high-density regions, where units are moved more often, they offer a superior return on investment since it takes the operator less time to find the correct item thanks to the visible lighting system.

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Conclusion

Both large and small warehouses may greatly benefit from pick-to-light systems. You can choose any of them best on productivity, ergonomic rates, and competitiveness. To get accurate results, implement something that matches the requirements. Choose one based on the necessary parameters. 

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Recommended: What Is Voice Picking? Pros And Cons Explained

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