Slotting: where each article should live in a pallet warehouse
Which pick slot should each article get — so pickers walk less and bend less?
Drag to rotate, scroll or pinch to zoom. The schedule below plays the plan; hover a bar for details. Plan computed with a Timefold model.
The planning question
A wholesale pallet warehouse with 8 wide aisles: three pick levels at the bottom of the racks (the top one needs an order-picker lift), reserve pallets above, goods out at the dock doors. Today the articles are stored by article number.
How we plan it
Timefold assigns articles to slots against a full day of real orders, so the effect on walking distance is measured, not estimated.
What the plan shows
| KPI | Optimized plan | Comparison: today's slotting |
|---|---|---|
| walking per day (km) | 50.5 −14 | 64.5 |
| metres per order | 84 −24 | 108 |
| picks at ergonomic height (%) | 60 +35 | 25 |
| bending & reaching (min) | 77 −139 | 216 |
Decisions
- pick slot per article
Constraints
- slot size and weight limits
- heavy goods on low levels
- articles ordered together close to each other
- limited number of moves per night
Objective
short walks per order, fast movers near goods out, many picks in the ergonomic zone
Questions
How often should slotting be re-done?
Typically weekly or with seasonal changes; the model can limit the number of moves so re-slotting fits into one night shift.
Which data is needed?
Article master data (size, weight), the slot list and order history.
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