A Polling-Based Dynamic Order-Picking System considering Priority Orders. (24th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ran, Wenxue; Liu, Sen; Zhang, Zhe
• Other Names: Natella Roberto Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Complexity. Volume 2020(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-24
• Subjects: Chaotic behavior in systems -- Periodicals; Complexity (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; 003
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/4595316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2787

Abstract

Abstract : Nowadays, how to offer extremely fast response to customer orders has become a major challenge for warehouse management, especially in e-commerce. Due to the time urgency aspect of some "VIP" orders that need priority processing, one of the most important issues for logistics distribution centres is how to improve the VIP order-picking priority without reducing the common order-picking efficiency. With this consideration, this article put forward a new priority polling model to describe and analyse this problem. We divide orders into priority and common categories according to their time urgency. A mathematical model is established for such a system by applying polling theory, a probability generating function, and an embedded Markov chain. Numerical analysis shows that this priority polling-based picking system can improve the picking efficiency and is well suited to practical operations.