Pick-to-light technology is widely accepted as a means of improving the speed and accuracy of order fulfillment. With a pick-to-light strategy, light modules with numerical displays are placed adjacent to product locations. Picking areas are typically divided into zones, and a picker is assigned to handle all picking tasks within a zone. Zones operate like independent work cells on an assembly line.

When a tote representing a customer order arrives in a picking zone—often on a conveyor—the picker scans a barcode on the tote to signal that the tote has arrived. At this point, numerical displays in the zone show the quantities of the various products that should be picked and placed into the tote.

After completing a pick, the picker confirms the pick with a “touchless” proximity switch by waving his hand near a flashing light on the light module. This “touchless” proximity switch eliminates problems caused by mechanical buttons that wear out.

• Uses a light-sensitive proximity switch to confirm picks rather than a mechanical button
• Optionally supports displays of text and graphics on a monitor within each zone