Analysis of the impact of storage parameters and sizes of orders for choice of order-picking method

The paper presents six ways to move a warehouseman during order picking process. Ratliff and Rosenthal in 1983 developed an efficient algorithm for determining the optimal route. It’s use in practice, however, involves the need to implement the relevant computer system. It is not always profitable. Among others this is the reason why in practice simpler ways of moving forklift trucks in the warehouse are still in use. Author verifies the effectiveness of heuristics and based on the the simulations results suggests selection of an appropriate order picking method depending on the parameters of the warehouse and the size of order lists.