Goods to Person (G2P)(GTP)
Goods To Person, known in the industry by both (G2P) and (GTP), defines a broad array of systems used to automate the storage and retrieval of a product. G2P technology increases efficiency and reduces labor in order fulfillment by bringing goods or materials to workers rather than requiring workers to locate and retrieve the goods.
The goal of goods-to-person (GTP) automation is to streamline the process, reduce the time and labor needed to pick and pack orders, ensure order accuracy by ensuring that correct products are selected, and increase overall order fulfillment.
This goods to person picking method combines various warehouse technologies to move, store, and deliver products to the pickers. G2P automation reduces walking and movement required of fulfillment operators and increases picking productivity to 250 to 350 picks per person.
Goods-to-person (GTP) systems include several options, such as:
- Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS): These systems operate under computerized control and use robots or other automated devices to automatically place and retrieve items from defined storage locations within the warehouse. In an order fulfillment operation, when an order is received, the system retrieves the required items and brings them to a picking station where a worker can pick and pack them.
- Automated conveyor systems: These are material handling systems used to transport items from one place to another within the warehouse and can be configured to bring items to a picking station where they can be picked and packed by a worker.
- Automated guided vehicles (AGVs): These are small, self-navigating mobile robots used to transport raw materials, works-in-process, and finished goods along pre-determined paths in manufacturing and distribution facilities. They can be configured to bring items to a picking station where a worker can pick and pack them.
- AMR-based robotic G2P/GTP solutions: These G2P/GTP solutions go beyond traditional goods-to-person solutions by combining families of robots with different capabilities to work together to cost-effectively store, pick orders and move products fast and efficiently in a warehouse facility.
Goods to person (GTP) automation is valuable for improving efficiency and accuracy, especially when combined with voice picking technology and other material handling automation solutions. It can help reduce the time and effort required to pick and pack orders and improve the accuracy and speed of order fulfillment.
Create Your Warehouse Automation Design Plan Before Selecting Technology
If your company is considering the benefits of implementing a GTP picking system, it is critical to take a warehouse design-first approach to analyze, select and justify the right mix of technologies.
For the best outcomes, work with an independent warehouse automation integrator with in-depth industry and technology expertise to evaluate the available technologies and identify the right solution for your specific operations.
You’ll achieve the highest efficiency when the GTP system and all other warehouse technologies are integrated and synchronized by a top-tier warehouse execution and control system (WCS-WES) software platform.
Numina Group Goods-to-Person Consulting
If you’re interested in learning about goods-to-person technologies and other warehouse automation solutions, the Numina Group can help. As a leading warehouse automation design consultant, software developer and independent systems integrator, Numina Group has over 40 years of experience defining, designing, and implementing highly profitable automated warehouse systems.
We offer consultative warehouse design services to identify the right lean processes for your operations. We help you turn your design into reality by combining the power of RDS™ WCS-WES, our real-time warehouse control and execution software with cutting-edge material handling technologies.
Our automated warehouse solutions enable companies to increase productivity by 50% or more, reduce labor costs by 30% to 70%, and increase order accuracy to 99.9%.
Learn More
Solution: RDS Warehouse Automation Solutions
Blog: Cost and Performance Benefits Offered by the Latest G2P Warehouse Robot Solutions
Blog: Goods-to-Person Solutions for DCs of all Sizes
