This fulfillment methodology involves selecting items from storage and placing them into designated buffer areas prior to the packing process. In distribution centers employing this system, an associate retrieves a product from its location and temporarily stages it nearer the packing station. This staging ensures a readily available supply of items for subsequent order fulfillment steps. For example, an item ordered by a customer is retrieved and placed in a bin near the packer, streamlining the process when the packer is ready to fulfill that order.
The strategic advantage of this approach lies in its ability to enhance throughput and reduce bottlenecks within the fulfillment workflow. By decoupling the picking and packing functions, facilities can optimize resource allocation and minimize idle time. Historically, fulfillment centers have sought methods to improve order processing speed, and this system is a proven method of making tangible improvements to efficiency.
