Product slotting is a complex problem. It involves many input factors and goals (which are sometimes at odds with each other). Traditional slotting solutions require customized models, extensive engineering, measurement, and data collection, and can be quite costly.
Lucas Dynamic Slotting uses AI to eliminate the time-consuming engineering and manual modeling required for traditional warehouse slotting systems. Lucas makes it smart, simple, and dynamic so you get the benefits of re-slotting as often as you want.
Easily import data with Lucas’s EAI technology and let Lucas do the work with AI and advanced algorithms versus creating complex rules and formulas. Dynamic slotting can even use “What-If” mode to provide slotting recommendations for user-specified SKU or slot locations.
What are some of the direct benefits can expect?
- Increase productivity 5-20%
- Increase picking accuracy
- Improve worker ergonomic and safety
- Reduce picking and replenishment costs
- Improve warehouse space utilization
- Reduce inventory damage
Many foodservice DCs have maxed out their productivity gains and travel savings through process design and improved slotting. Lucas Dynamic Slotting gives them an additional edge by:
- Eliminating the need for manual engineering and measurement
- Using AI to create a robust slotting model, learn the spatial characteristics of the DC, and predict task time based on activity-level data captured in the DC.
- Utilizing machine learning to adapt to the DC and evolve as conditions change, providing continuous optimization.
Lucas applies advanced machine-learning algorithms to recommend the best locations for inventory based on SKU velocity, SKU affinity, product/slot information, pick paths, and other data. System-generated recommendations identify product moves that offer the biggest potential payback.
The solution generates powerful results dynamically, including:
- Proactive slotting moves in advance of changing conditions using historical and forecasted order data, and machine learning to accurately predict future SKU demands
- Avoiding mispicks due to similar products being placed next to each other with Lucas Similarity Detection
- Optimizing both vertical (travel distance) and horizontal (level/golden zone)
- Providing an ROI estimate based on labor savings
- Displaying heatmaps which provide intuitive and interactive visualizations of current slotting conditions
