Conversion Possibilities of Storage Zones of Distribution Warehouses in Case of Changing Structures and Volume of Order Picked Products

Abstract

The paper examines a warehouse system which is including some storage buildings and divided into storage zones based on product groups in case of changing structure and volume of order picked products. The products of a commission are collected from different zones of different storage buildings. Warehouses are through-stores: loading in is completed on one side and only the order picking is completed on the other side. The inner structure of warehouses and types of products provide the possibility of relocation and conversion of different zones in case of changing structure and volume of commissions to reduce order picking work and cost, and improve productivity. This study presents a mathematical description of an order picking system taking the structure of commissions, location of zones, conversion possibilities of different product-zones and deterministic and stochastic changing order picking demands into consideration. The paper presents an optimisation process to determine location of different storage zones.