Why Companies are Upgrading to ROIP Gateways for Critical Communications
📅 July 28, 2025
In a current environment of e-commerce that relies almost exclusively on speed and accuracy of fulfilment of orders, they are not negotiable. Customers demand promptness with a perfect service and the warehouses are under pressure of handling a vast number of orders in a shorter turnaround time. Pick to Light technology is changing this here.
Pick to Light solutions are quite possibly one of the most effective warehouse automation systems to date and have been assisting e-commerce companies streamline the way they pick orders, minimize error and maximize productivity, without having to replace their current infrastructure.
Pick to light technology: What is it?
Pick to Light system is an order picking method involving semi-automated system in which alphanumerical LEDs lights are placed on shelves or stocking units to assist the order picker. As an order is triggered, lights are displayed to indicate the specific locations and the number of items to be picked and help warehouse workers to smoothly make the process of picking.
The operator verifies the pick by a tap on the keyboard or a barcode, which is in real time updates the system. This is the paperless system that is hardly dependent on the human element and has a tremendous impact on the decrease of human mistake and the rise of picking speed.
What is the Mechanism of a Pick to Light System?
A standard Pick to Light solution will have the following steps:
- Order Entry: A command is entered at the warehouse management system (WMS).
- Location Activation: There will be a signal sent by the system to switch on the LED lights on the storage racks on the SKUs.
- Guided Picking: The personnel headed to the illuminated position, selects the specified amount and clicks a confirmation button.
- Order Completion: After items have been picked the system completes the order and records the information.
This method of visual guidance is simple enough to use, scalable, and compatible with the currently installed warehouse automation software.
Key Benefits of Pick to Light Solutions
- The Pick Speed is Faster
The operators do not have to manually scan items and read paper lists. Since there are visual cues that direct them, the pick times are highly minimized.
- Improved Accuracy Levels
The errors caused by misreading or misplacing bin locations and quantities are reduced since employees are guided on the correct monitored locations of each bin and the number of volumes to collect. In well administered systems, accuracy rates can be as high as 99.9 percent.
- Faster Training
The Pick to Light systems are self explanatory and do not need much training. Even the temporary and seasonal workers can be productive in the short period.
- Real Time Inventory Tracking
All picks are capture in real time keeping stock records at par and minimizing stock differences. - Lower Costs of Operations
Pick to Light technology saves money in the long run by decreasing rework, mis-picks, and necessity to monitor the process constantly.
E-commerce Fulfilment Use Cases
E-commerce companies normally carry large SKU numbers as well as a small orders dispatch. This makes manual method of order picking very difficult.
Pick to Light systems make this process easier by:
- Advanced Batch picking of large orders
- Parallel efficiency through zone picking
- Guided sorting of returns processing
- Seasonal peak managements through rapid hiring of seasonal labourers
Another example would be that a fashion e-commerce pick case can allow the picker to move fast with fast moving SKUs such as t-shirt or accessories and not have to stop and cross-check pick lists–reducing the time per order to a fraction of its original value.
Warehouse Automation integration
Solutions Pick to Light can be integrated in a larger strategy of automation in the warehouse. They may be binixed with:
- Automatic items movement by conveyor belts
- Dual-layer verification barcode/RFID readers
- Hybrid man-machine operations carried out with the help of robotics
- Complete control of inventory by use of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
This modularity enables enterprises to grow their automation progressively and at low cost.
Pick to Light vs Traditional Picking Methods
| Feature | Manual Picking | Pick to Light Technology |
| Speed | Moderate | High |
| Accuracy | 90–95% | 99.9%+ |
| Training Time | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 days |
| Paper Dependency | High | None |
| Real-Time Updates | No | Yes |
| Suitable for Scaling | Limited | Highly scalable |
Factors to consider before use of Pick to Light Systems
There are several benefits associated with Pick to light systems, however; businesses must take into account:
- SKU Volume: Suitable in low-SKU, high-volume area or well zoned warehouses)
- Initial Investment: It begins with initial financial input in lights, controllers, and integration.
- Software Compatibility: Will have to fit well with your WMS or ERP software.
- Scalability of the system: Make sure it will be able to grow with the increase of system products and orders.
Real World Impact: Case Study Examplory
One of the major electronics online stores has adopted the Pick to Light technology in its local distribution facility. The outcomes after 3 months came as:
- 45 percent upgrade in pick rate
- 80 per cent decreased picking errors
- 60 percent decrease in onboarding new employees
- 12- month ROI
The results of this show the effectiveness of specific automation but not to the extent of complementing the workforce.
Future of Pick to Light in Warehouse
Ware house automation is gaining supremacy, especially in e-commerce which is constantly expanding. What is already seen are developments of Pick to Light Next-gen solutions that come fitted with features such as:
- Faster installing and flexible lights that are wireless
- Audio and visual interactive voice-assistance
- Analytics dashboards to streamline the routes of pickers and zone performance
The goal? Warehousing that is smarter, quicker and leaner to suit the contemporary demand.
Conclusion
Pick to Light technology has ceased becoming a welcome addition but a strategic requirement of e-commerce companies that aspire to grow, efficiently. It is transforming the operation of fulfilment centres throughout the world due to its capacity to lower human effect and enhance productivity as well as automating warehouses.
A tangible ROI, easily measured in one, two or even three years, awaits you whether running a small scale warehouse, multi zone operation or otherwise: Pick to Light solutions are a win across the board. Smart picking now makes your warehouse an entirely different place. Change your warehouse on the ground.
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