Category: View All

  • Combining Voice & Robotics to Gain Maximum Efficiency

    Combining Voice & Robotics to Gain Maximum Efficiency

    Combining Voice & Robotics to Gain Maximum Efficiency

    Jennifer Maloney
    September 14, 2020

    At the Numina Group, we work with many diverse technology tools to design the most efficient and cost-effective warehouse automation solutions for our clients.

    Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), in particular, have proven to be a highly efficient tool for e-commerce fulfillment operations. AMRs can also deliver significant value in more complex fulfillment operations.

    Read how Northshore Care Supply combined AMRs and voice-directed picking, resulting in a 100% productivity improvement.

    NorthShore Care Supply, a leading distributor of personal care products, was experiencing a “good” problem to have – double-digit annual sales growth – pushing fulfillment operations to the limit.

    With sales growing by 30% a year and a lease set to expire in the former facility, Adam Greenberg, President, realized it was time to “move into a facility with an infrastructure that can scale up to handle many times our current sales volume as our brand awareness increases.”

    Solution

    NorthShore worked with the Numina Group to create a system-directed warehouse solution using software and AMRs with growth in mind. Numina Group’s Real-time Distribution Software (RDS™) warehouse execution and control system batches the orders to generate the highest pick density in a zone with the least amount of travel for the robots and the order pickers.

    Results

    Among the benefits, NorthShore has transformed its operations with:

    • Accelerated throughput, by leveraging AMRS to quickly move payloads up to 700 pounds through the DC
    • System-directed processing of 3,500 orders per day, using a fleet of six AMRs
    • Fast, accurate voice-directed picking of full case and item level products
    • Capacity to manage throughput in one shift – with the option to add a second shift at a later date
    • Safety

    Download the Modern Material’s Handling System Report on the right to learn how NorthShore, together with the Numina Group, designed and implemented the best solution for their operations.

    To learn how we can help you achieve better processes and a rapid ROI, fill out a contact us form.

  • Committed to Supporting our Customers during this Critical Time

    Committed to Supporting our Customers during this Critical Time

    Committed to Supporting our Customers during this Critical Time

    Jennifer Maloney
    April 7, 2020

    At Numina Group, we’re committed to go the extra mile and make a positive impact on our customer’s success, especially during this critical time.

    Last week, a major computer distribution center client contacted us requesting a software change to our RDS™ Warehouse Execution and Control System

    This customer was experiencing a huge increase in order volume, especially laptop computer and equipment for home offices along with hospitals, federal and state government medical centers for co-vid 19 testing services.

    Our client needed the ability to identify and prioritize the medical/healthcare order to ensure they are processed first and shipped the same day. 

    Our VP of Software Development re-arranged his schedule and got to work that evening to make this software enhancement happen ASAP.

    He increased the speed of the RDS Order Wave Release software to a 15-minute cycle and changed the logic to allow RDS to identify and prioritize the critical healthcare orders ahead of standard orders.

    Results: Our customer stated the changes worked exceptionally well and the critical medical orders are getting prioritized, picked packed and shipped on-time, same-day!

    We’re all in this together, adapting to the challenges so we all emerge stronger than ever. Numina Group remains bullish on the USA due to our strong work ethic and can do attitude!

  • AMR Batch Picking Solution

    AMR Batch Picking Solution

    AMR Batch Picking Solution

    Jennifer Maloney
    March 30, 2020

    Numina Group joins forces with Waypoint Robotics to launch Innovative Autonomous Batch Cart Order Fulfillment Solution

    AMRs REDUCE OPERATOR WALK TIME AND FATIGUE

    WOODRIDGE, IL, March 9, 2020 – Numina Group and Waypoint Robotics have teamed up to create a powerful autonomous batch order automated order picking solution. Numina Group’s Real-time Distribution Software, RDS™ BatchBot voice picking application integrates with Waypoint Robotics’ Vector Autonomous Mobile Robot, (AMR) to provide an innovative, highly efficient order picking solution. 

    The RDS automation module uses pick-by-voice commands to direct operator zone movement and picking tasks while coordinating the Waypoint Vector AMR batch cart movement throughout the distribution center (DC). 

    The AMRs, using the Kingpin technology, efficiently pick-up and move carts with heavy and/or large quantities of orders, allowing the operators to focus on the high value order picking duties. 

    The Vector AMR Kingpin connects and drops carts quickly, resulting in higher hourly throughput per cart, and a more efficient pick, pack, and ship operation.

    The solution simultaneously coordinates both the Waypoint AMR and order picking to eliminate wasted operator walk time and fatigue caused by manually pushing carts with up to 600 pounds of products throughout the DC. 

     

    RDS directs the Vector AMR with Kingpin pick and drop technology, so the pick carts automatically move to each shelf or rack location. At pick completion 

    RDS directs the AMR to transport the finished carts to packing workstations. 

    Vector, combined with RDS BatchBot, provides higher order fulfillment efficiency, reducing labor costs by 40% or more compared to a manual cart picking process.

    “Numina Group’s RDS Warehouse Execution and Control Software Suite now includes a new BatchBot Module to optimize, manage and track (AMR) activities,” explains Numina Group CEO Dan Hanrahan. 

    “The new software module extends the capabilities of our RDS Pick-by-Voice picking solution so both the workers and the autonomous batch cart movements are coordinated throughout pick and pack. 

    The BatchBot module includes order release and prioritization, cartonization pick to carton, put to light order consolidation, and labor and order tracking performance metrics reporting.” 

    “Waypoint’s Kingpin is the first of its kind dual-use module that enables Vector and MAV3K AMRs to automatically load and unload payloads as well as hitch and transport carts of all sizes,” says Waypoint Robotics CEO, Jason Walker.

    “Now you don’t have to dedicate a robot for one task or another – with Kingpin you can do both. This combined with Numina Groups RDS order fulfillment automation suite creates a powerful but easy to use solution to improve worker productivity and safety by reducing the heavy lifting.” 

    About Numina Group:

    Numina Group is a top-tier integrator for improving and automating warehouse operations through a family of cutting-edge warehouse automation system solutions managed and controlled by RDS™, our top tier WCS-WES Platform. 

    The Numina Group partners with clients to define, design, and implement material handling and order fulfillment process improvements enhanced by automation technologies that optimize distribution practices to gain improved profitability. Learn more about our warehouse design services.

    Numina Group

    10331 Werch Drive

    Woodridge, IL 60517

    630-343-2622

    info@numinagroup.com

    https://numinagroup.com/

    @pickpackship

  • Numina Group MODEX 2020 Booth Features

    Numina Group MODEX 2020 Booth Features

    Numina Group MODEX 2020 Booth Features

    Jennifer Maloney
    March 30, 2020

    Numina Group’s Warehouse Technologies and Software Showcased at Modex 2020 – Booth #7006

    Numina Group, a leading independent warehouse systems integrator, will demonstrate several of their key technologies including pick by voice, pick and pack to light and two exclusive print and apply labeling solutions integrated into the same highly automated pack line. 

    Numina’s One-Step-Plus™ and X-Press PAL™ solutions streamline pack and ship by auto applying a combination packing sheet and shipping label to reduce 35 seconds of labor from every parcel shipment. Numina Group’s automation is managed by RDS™ a highly scalable Real-time Warehouse Execution and Control Software Platform, WES-WCS.

    Technologies to be demonstrated at Booth # 7006 include:

    1. One-Step-Plus Print and Apply Labeling– Automates 8.5×11 packing sheet under a removable shipping label and manifesting
    2. X-Press PAL Print and Apply Labeling – Automates 4×6 packing slip under shipping label
    3. RDS™ Pick-by-Voice – Batch pick process
    4. Print, Fold, Insert Pack Automation – Auto-insert pack sheets into open cartons
    5. Put-to-Light Order Consolidation – Directs picking with light indicators 

    RDS Pick by Voice technology is speaker-independent, requiring zero voice training combining voice commands/responses and hands-free Zebra RS5100 camera based barcode scanning.  

    RDS Voice supports pick to carton batch carts, fork trucks, and conveyor picking. RDS also includes optimized order release and cartonization logic. RDS’s voice pick and pack validation technology provides a single-touch, highly accurate means for a new or temporary operator to be productive in minutes. 

    RDS Voice works seamlessly on the Zebra TC52 or WT6000 Android mobile computers.

    Auto Print Fold Insert (PFI) prints, folds, and automatically inserts from one to seven 8.5″ x 11″ packing sheets in to multiple height and carton sizes. PFI eliminates the bottleneck of manual order documentation with insertion of packing sheets, return labels, promotional materials, coupons, and other requirements as needed. 

    PFI™ technology can scale from 10 to 50 or more CPM operations to reduce 30 or more seconds of labor from every shipment.

    One Step Plus™ Print-and-apply labeling uses a Zebra ZE500 Print Engine to auto-apply a combination full 8.5” x 11” packing sheet and shipping label to full case or re-packed mixed SKU cartons to reduce 30-45 seconds of labor per parcel shipment.  

    The system is ideally suited for high volume E-com and B2B order fulfillment applications that require a full 8.5” x 11” packing sheet such as Medical device manufacturers, hospital suppliers, and retailers providing e-commerce order fulfillment services for Amazon, Walmart, Target, Wayfair, QVC, and others.

    X-Press PAL™ Print and Apply Labeling auto applies one or more 4” x 6” pack slips under a removable 6” x 8” shipping label. X-Press Pal pack and ship automation includes inline scan, weigh, dimension with automatic application of packing slips and shipping labels. X-Press Pal provides a flexible, scalable solution to automate packing slips, compliance, carton content and shipping labels. 

    Put-to-Light Order Consolidation Put wall order consolidation technology essentially sorts by lights and allows parallel batch order picking across multiple pick zones. At the order consolidation area, operators scan and put the batch picked SKUs to order consolidation shelf positions at a rate of 400 to 500 items per hour. 

    Put-to-light is a highly efficient and cost effective way to batch pick hundreds of orders throughout the DC, gaining 30% to 50% higher productivity than discrete order picking.

    Combining the RDS Pick-by-Voice and a Put-to-Light Order Consolidation Wall (Put Wall System) allows a zone-based batch cart picking strategy that increases picking density and reduces the pickers walk time by concentrating their work within an assigned zone. 

    The process directs the operators in each zone to batch pick all required items. Orders that require items from multiple zones are picked and put into an order consolidation tote. At the same time, orders that have all the required items within the zone are picked and packed directly to a shipping carton. 

    Numina Group’s Real time Distribution System (RDS) is the industry’s most complete and scalable Warehouse Execution and Control System (WES-WCS). 

    RDS is a modular, high-performance warehouse software platform that controls and manages a wide array of automation technologies to streamline the entire pick, pack, and ship order fulfillment operation. RDS interfaces to virtually every ERP/WMS.

    RDS Order Fulfillment Automation Modules Include:

    • Interfaces to and bolts-on automation to virtually every leading ERP-WMS systems
    • Cartonization, order release, and work balancing across zones
    • Pick by voice – batch cart, fork truck, and conveyor picking
    • Pick-to-light picking & put-to-light order consolidation
    • Labor tracking and reporting across all operations
    • In-line scan, weigh, dimensioning (SWD), and order vision audit
    • Conveyor control and high-speed Sortation
    • Pack sheet print and insertion automation
    • Print-and-apply labeling tunnels for multi-sided application of pack slips, pack sheets, shipping labels, compliance, ASN, UCC, Hazmat Labels at 15-60 CMP per line

    Warehouse Design Process Improvement Services:

    • Facility selection & sizing
    • Value stream mapping
    • Process improvement & technology evaluation services
    • SKU slotting and profiling
    • Material handling system design
    • Conveyor, ASRS, robotics and high-speed returns and order fulfillment sorting
    • Turnkey system distribution center design and implementation

    About the Numina Group – Numina Group bring 30+ years of expertise in software, warehouse design and implementation of automated warehouse and distribution practices. We provide a full range of services from define, design and implementation.  For further information contact:

    Jen Maloney Numina Group Marketing Director jmaloney@numinagroup.com  (630) 343-2622

  • Visit Us at Booth #7006 @ Modex 2020

    Visit Us at Booth #7006 @ Modex 2020

    Visit Us at Booth #7006 @ Modex 2020

    Jennifer Maloney
    November 24, 2019

    March 9-12, 2020 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center

    Numina Group will be demonstrating our innovative solutions at Modex, one of the Manufacturing, Distribution, and Supply Chain Industries’ largest and most prestigious trade shows.  

    Experience a hands-on demo of our voice-driven picking solution – pick an order right in our booth. RDS Voice-Directed Order Fulfillment Suite accelerates peformance and streamlines pick, pack & ship operations.

    Numina Group’s Real-time Distribution Software (RDS) bolts-on order fulfillment automation for new and existing WMS or ERP to reduce labor and gain higher DC profitability. 

    Seeing is believing – We will also be running our pack and ship technology, including:

    Unveiling RDS Voice-Directed Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Technology – Real-time Distribution Software (RDS) Voice-directed Picking optimizes batch order picking for carts transported by the latest generation autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) throughout multiple pick zones. 

    RDS™ Voice picking combines AMR’s and operator movement and picking tasks into a unified system that directs both the picker’s duties and the AMR cart to eliminate walk time and the non-value work and fatigue caused by operators manually pushing carts between zones and movement to the pack and ship area.

    Software is Key to gaining efficiencies in Distribution Operations.

    Talk to our knowledgeable sales engineers about how our powerful, scalable software will deliver perfect order fulfillment practices while leaning up your operations. Order flow throughout the pick, pack, and ship operations becomes a continuous, integrated process resulting in reduced labor, improved order accuracy and shorter delivery windows.

  • IFDA Distribution Conference

    IFDA Distribution Conference

    IFDA Distribution Conference

    Jennifer Maloney
    September 27, 2019

    Visit Numina at IFDA – Booth 1048 – Oct 27-29, 2019.

    Please join Numina Group at the IFDA Distribution Solutions Conference October 27-29, 2019  hosted by the International Food Service Distributors Association in Orlando, FL.

    IFDA DSC is the premier annual event on the industry calendar where leaders in operations, transportation, and technology gather with renowned speakers and innovators to chart the future of food-service distribution. 

    Numina Group will be at the IFDA Distribution Conference in Booth 1048 to offer solutions to help you meet distribution challenges of today and tomorrow. 

    Numina Group offers software and automation for frozen, dry, and refrigerated warehouses. Numina’s RDS Real-time Distribution Software combines voice technology with real-time control of material handing in distribution to provide unique solutions to pick, pack, and ship temperature-sensitive deliveries. 

    Food and beverage distribution can be particularly challenging because warehouses are faced with a variety of demands, including climate-controlled temperatures, best by dates, and FDA, USDA and ECP regulations.

    Pack and ship automation is a top consideration when investigating ways to modernize and optimize order flow in a DC. When comparing your options, it is critical to invest in a solution that includes the right mix of automation technologies – including automatic weight and vision audit, carton dimension measurement software, and technology to automatically print and apply packing sheets and shipping labels.

    Food manufacturers and distribution operations must meet stringent requirements on product quality and freshness along with the ability to stay up to date on food tracking and food safety regulations. 

    Accurate, real time warehouse software is essential for ensuring safety for food products. RDS Voice technology captures lot, serial, and sell by date and directs operators to pick and pack directly into temperature controlled containers or coolers.

    We’ll work with you to determined the optimal warehouse design process improvements and technologies designed to take unnecessary steps out of your operation and reduce your bottom line.  

    See us at IFDA in booth 1048, or if you can’t make the show, give us a call.  We’re happy to set up an on-site consultation to learn more about your operation and brainstorm solutions to make you more profitable.

     

  • WERC

    WERC

    WERC

    Jennifer Maloney
    September 27, 2019

    WERC – Grapevine, Texas – October 24th, 2019 Booth F4

    Join Numina Group at the North Texas WERCouncil Warehousing Resource Convention in Grapevine, Texas – Thursday, October 24, 2019

    You are invited to attend the North Texas WERCouncil – 18th Annual Warehousing Resource Convention! The North Texas WERC Warehousing Education and Research Council is planning a one-day convention on Thursday, Oct 24th in Grapevine, Texas.  It is the can’t miss Texas Warehouse Planning Event of the Year – “Best Little Warehousing Show in Texas!”

    Why Attend?

    Successful 18 years running

    Major Players in DFW attend every year 

    Only $25 to attend

    Smaller convention hall = more networking

    run raffle and giveaways all day

  • Parcel Forum

    Parcel Forum

    Parcel Forum

    Jennifer Maloney
    June 5, 2019

    Numina Group will exhibit at Parcel Forum in Dallas, TX October 28 – 30th .

    Parcel Forum 2019 is the only conference dedicated to professionals who are responsible for shipping, warehousing, packaging, distribution, and delivery of parcels.  Stop by Parcel Forum Booth #419 to learn about pick, pack, ship automation solutions that accelerate distribution performance.

    Stop by Numina Group’s booth to discuss how our RDS™ Warehouse Execution and Control Software, a Tier 1 WES-WCS, automates the pick, pack, and ship order fulfillment process. RDS is packed with advanced software modules, including order release, cartonization, pick-to-light, and voice picking that will deliver instant value to your operation.

    The RDS Voice Picking Solution, North America’s leading speaker-independent voice technology, streamlines order picking, unifies pick, pack and ship into a single process, and includes a full family of high performance automated pack sheet and print and apply labeling solutions, eliminating distribution bottlenecks.  

    Numina Group first performed a warehouse design study to determine the best investment and whether voice picking was the best means to increase the productivity in the order fulfillment operation. During the design study, Numina Group’s engineers collaborated with the company’s logistics executives and operation’s team. 

    The team reviewed the current picking and store delivery processes and then defined and flowcharted leaner processes that would streamline and improve the picking operation. The team looked at a few technologies, but it was quickly apparent that voice-directed picking had the fastest ROI.

    RDS™ Software Automation Modules Include:

    • Order Release Optimization
    • Cartonization, Wave Release, Work Zone Balancing
    • Pick by Voice – Smart Batch Cart, Fork Truck, Pick to Conveyor
    • Pick to Light
    • Put and Pack to Light Order Consolidation
    • Order Fulfillment and Returns Sorters
    • Labor Tracking and Reporting
    • Inline Scan-Weigh-Dimensioning (SWD) with Vision Audit
    • Conveyor Controls and High Speed Sortation
    • Pack Sheet Print and Insertion Automation
    • Print and Apply Labeling for Pack Slips, Pack Sheets, Shipping Labels, Compliance, ASN, UCC, HazMat
    • Interfaces to virtually every WMS/ERP System
    Define & Design Engineering Services:
    • Facility Selection & Sizing
    • Value Stream Mapping
    • Process Improvement Design Services
    • Turnkey Distribution Center Implementation & Automation
    Evaluation, Selection and Integration
    • ASRS
    • Robotics
    • Racking System Design
    • Material Handling System Design
    • Conveyor and Sorting System Integration
    • WES-WCS Integration and Implementation
  • Visit Booth S4237 at Promat 2019

    Visit Booth S4237 at Promat 2019

    Visit Booth S4237 at Promat 2019

    Jennifer Maloney
    March 5, 2019

    April 8-11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place

    Promat is one of the Manufacturing, Distribution, and Supply Chain Industries’ largest and most prestigious trade shows. Numina will be demonstrating our innovative warehouse automation software and technologies that are proven to increase distribution profitability in hundreds of customer operations

    Experience a hands on demo of our zero-training voice-driven picking solution – pick an order right in our booth.

    Seeing is believing – We will also be running our pack and ship technology, including: 

    1. Cartonization software
    2.  Single-touch pick-and-pack direct to the shipping carton
    3. Automated pack conveyor
    4. In-line weight audit 
    5. Print-fold-insert packing sheets, print-and-apply labeling
    6. Automated manifesting and application of shipping labels

    Software is key to gaining efficiencies in distribution operations.

    Talk to our knowledgeable warehouse engineers about how our powerful, scalable software will deliver perfect order fulfillment practices while leaning up your operations. 

    Order flow throughout the pick, pack, and ship operations becomes a continuous, integrated process resulting in reduced labor, improved order accuracy and shorter delivery windows.

    Register at http://www.promatshow.com to receive Free admission to ProMat exhibits.

  • Visit Numina Group at MODEX 2018 – Booth #B3519

    Visit Numina Group at MODEX 2018 – Booth #B3519

    Visit Numina Group at MODEX 2018 – Booth #B3519

    Jennifer Maloney
    April 4, 2018

    Numina Group Presents Its Family of Warehouse Automation Technologies at MODEX 2018 – Booth #B3519

    Numina Group, a leading independent warehouse system integrator, will demo several key technologies including their One-Step-Plus™, which auto applies a combination packing sheet and shipping label, reducing 35 seconds of labor from every shipment. 

    Also featured is Numina’s RDS™ Top-Tier Real-time, Warehouse Execution and Control Software Platform, WES-WCS. Numina Group’s President, Dan Hanrahan, will be presenting a Modex Education Seminar on how to future-proof your business titled “Automation to Boost Productivity in the Last 100 Feet of Distribution” Tuesday, April 10th from 11:15-12:00 in Theater D.

    Woodridge, IL April 4, 2018

    Technology to be demonstrated by Numina Group at Modex Booth #B3519 includes:
    1. One-Step-Plus™ Print and Apply Combination Pack Sheet and Shipping Label
    2. RDS™ Voice Picking System
    3. Print, Fold, Insert Pack Automation
    4. Put to Light Order Consolidation

    One Step Plus™ Print and Apply labeling systems auto apply a combination full packing sheet and shipping label. This technology reduces 35 seconds of labor per shipment. The system is ideally suited for high volume continuous distribution operations shipping E-com orders for retail giants such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Wayfair, QVC, and many more.

    Pick by Voice technology validates picking steps using a combination of voice commands/responses and hands-free two dimensional barcode scanning. Voice picking can be used for both batch and conveyor picking, and is combined with cartonization logic to support single touch pick to carton applications. 

    Advanced speaker-independent voice technology virtually eliminates operator training time, having new pickers productive in minutes. This technology will also be demonstrated at Numina Group’s booth.

    Auto Print Fold Insert (PFI) technology accurately prints, folds, and places one to ten 8.5″ x 11″ printed sheets into cartons ranging from 4″ to 30″ in height. PFI is ideal for operations seeking to automate insertion of packing sheets, return labels, promotional materials, coupons, and new product announcements. PFI™ technology reduces 35 seconds of labor from every order and can be used to automate over 30 cartons per minute.

    Put to Light Order Consolidation Put wall order consolidation technology allows a single operator to perform 500+ item scans and puts per hour. Put to light provides a highly efficient and cost effective means to simultaneously pick orders across all of the DC’s pick zones and gain 30% to 50% higher productivity. 

    Combining voice-driven picking with put-to-light technology allows both single-zone picking direct to the shipping carton and simultaneously sweeping items across all of the warehouse zones to consolidation totes.

    Numina Group’s RDS WES-WCS warehouse automation software is the industry’s most complete and scalable top-tier warehouse execution and control system. It’s a modular, high-performance platform with a full family of software modules that control and manage a wide array of automation technologies to streamline the entire pick, pack, and ship order fulfillment operation.

    RDS™ Order Fulfillment Automation Modules Include:
    – Cartonization, Wave Release, Work Balancing
    – Pick by Voice – Batch Cart and Conveyor Picking
    – Pick to Light Order Picking
    – Order and Labor Tracking and Reporting
    – Put to Light Order Consolidation
    – In-line Scan, Weigh, Dimensioning (SWD) and Vision Audit
    – Conveyor Control and High Speed Sortation
    – Pack Sheet Print and Insertion Automation
    – Print and Apply Labeling of Compliance, Pack Sheets, ASN, UCC, HazMat, and Shipping Labels
    – Interface to leading WMS/ERP Systems

    Define & Design Engineering Services:
    – Facility Selection & Sizing
    – Value Stream Mapping
    – Process Improvement Design Services
    – SKU Slotting and Profiling
    – Material Handling System Design
    – Conveyor and Sorting Systems
    – Turnkey System Integration

    About the Numina Group – Numina Group has over 30 years of experience providing a full range of services from consulting, to warehouse design, to implementation of automated warehouse and distribution centers. To learn more about Numina Group, visit their website at www.numinagroup.com.

    For further information contact:
    Jen Maloney
    Marketing Coordinator
    Numina Group
    jmaloney@numinagroup.com
    (630) 343-2622

Skip to content