Signage plays an important role in the warehouse. If the order picker clearly knows what is where, he can carry out his work faster. When picking an order, an employee spends about 20 per cent of the time just looking for products. So there is still room for profit here.
Avoid symbols
Signage is now often provided using signs with numbers, letters or symbols. When searching for a location number, it is better to use letters and numbers, as these follow a logical sequence for people. With a symbol, it is unclear what order is being used. Research shows that a letter works best, as knowledge of the alphabetical order speeds up the search. It is often decided to omit certain letters (which look very similar) from the alphabet to reduce the likelihood of errors. For example, the letters F and O are often omitted, as they bear a strong resemblance to E and Q.
Determining font size
The size of the text is also a key factor in reducing search times. The correct font size depends entirely on the order picker’s location. According to signage manufacturer JEKA, the following formula can be used: font size in centimetres = reading distance / 200. So, if the order picker is at a reading distance of 200 metres, a minimum font size of 1 centimetre must be used.
Chunking information
It is also important to establish a logical location number. Experience has shown that so-called ‘chunks’ work best. The numbers and digits are broken down into small chunks, so that the brain can process them more quickly. A fixed order is often used for this. Unit 1 denotes the building, unit 2 the corridor, unit 3 the section number, unit 4 the level and unit 5 the subdivision (in the case of shelving). The full location number could therefore be AA 001 03 BB 02. The individual chunks are never longer than three letters or digits.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
