Warehouse Operations Flashcards

Which slotting strategy places high-velocity SKUs closest to shipping docks to minimize travel time?

Answer: Velocity-based slotting

Velocity-based slotting positions fast-moving items near outbound docks to reduce picker travel distance and increase throughput.

What is the primary purpose of a warehouse management system (WMS) directed putaway?

Answer: To automatically assign optimal storage locations to inbound inventory

WMS directed putaway uses rules-based logic to assign the best storage location for each incoming item based on velocity, weight, size, and product family.

In a pick-to-light system, what triggers the light display at a pick location?

Answer: A barcode scan of the order or tote

Scanning the order or tote activates the corresponding pick-to-light displays, directing the picker to the correct location and quantity.

What does 'cube utilization' measure in a warehouse context?

Answer: The percentage of available cubic storage space that is actually used

Cube utilization is the ratio of occupied cubic space to total available cubic space, indicating how efficiently vertical and horizontal storage is used.

Which receiving practice involves inspecting only a statistical sample of inbound goods rather than every unit?

Answer: Acceptance sampling

Acceptance sampling uses statistical methods to inspect a representative sample, balancing quality assurance with receiving speed.

A warehouse operates two 10-hour shifts per day, 5 days per week. If 4,000 units are shipped per week, what is the average hourly throughput?

Answer: 40 units/hour

Total operating hours = 2 shifts × 10 hours × 5 days = 100 hours; 4,000 ÷ 100 = 40 units per hour.

What is the main advantage of using wave picking over discrete order picking?

Answer: It batches similar picks together to reduce travel and increase picker efficiency

Wave picking groups orders with common pick zones or carriers into scheduled waves, reducing redundant travel and allowing better labor balancing.