Velocity-Based Stowage Policy for Semi-Automated Fulfillment System

Online retail fulfillment is increasingly performed by semi-automated systems in which inventory stored mobile pods that are moved robotic drives. In this paper, we develop a model explores the benefits of velocity-based stowage policies for systems, also known as systems. The decide to replenish with received inventory. Specifically, account velocity units being stowed. By stowing higher (lower) on pods, expect increase heterogeneity pod velocities. Greater velocities can yield greater reduction travel distance from storage pod. Reducing decreases number drives needed system maintain certain throughput rate (Yuan, 2016). We analyze an M-class policy. stow each class onto dedicated class; then has its own zone, where zones ordered based stationary pick and stations. characterize it depends skewness demand distribution across sku assortment, size classes. find most benefit policy be achieved two or three For representative distributions, two-class achieves 75% maximum possible travel-time reduction, three-class improves 90%.