How a station works
- The system releases an order and requests the source tote from storage.
- A shuttle or robot retrieves the tote and delivers it to the station port.
- The screen shows the source load, the item, the quantity and the destination tote, often with a shelf map.
- The operator scans, picks, enters or confirms the quantity, and confirms.
- The source tote returns to storage or moves to the next station; the order tote moves on when complete.
What the software must coordinate
- Retrieval sequence so the next tote arrives before the operator needs it.
- Several open orders per station, each with its own destination tote.
- Exceptions: shortages, damaged items, wrong barcode.
- Return of partially used totes to storage.
These are storage, execution and control decisions at the same time. In Kulmen, the station screen and the shuttle that feeds it run on one platform. See fully automated warehouses.
When it pays off
GTP suits sites with many order lines, small to medium items and limited space or labour. Operators walk far less, and every pick is guided and checked.