Picking and order fulfillment
According to my statistics, picking and order fulfillment consume 54 percent of the cost in the average healthcare distribution center. Below are some best practices to control cost in this area.
Profiling/slotting (ABC zoning) It goes by various names but, regardless of the moniker, profiling is a prerequisite to efficient fulfillment operations. Best-in-class distribution centers ensure that high-velocity SKUs are placed in convenient, easy-to-reach areas to minimize pick times.
Automation/systems There is a great deal of technology available to assist the order-picking process including technologies like pick-to-light and voice-picking. The key is to select the appropriate level of automation and systems to accurately and efficiently fill orders.
Many of these systems must interface with bar codes and bar code standards (GS1 standards) especially in the medical device supply chain. This enhances visibility across the many handoffs in the end-to-end supply chain.