Online retail is growing. Consumers are very willing to make their purchases online. A large selection, uncomplicated ordering options and fast deliveries as well as anywhere and anytime availability are encouraging more and more people to shop online. The option to return goods free of charge also plays a major role. This allows customers to examine their purchased products for longer than is possible in traditional stores. However, returns management is also one of the biggest challenges in e-commerce. First of all, returns mean lost sales and additional costs. In the fashion industry in particular, the returns rate is over 50 percent, which makes improved returns handling with the use of efficient, scalable solutions necessary.

Optimized order processing: Fulfillment Factory
With the Fulfillment Factory concept, SSI Schaefer offers a modular system for optimizing order picking processes and order and returns processing - particularly suitable for e-commerce applications. This enables the processing of a constantly changing composition of orders in any combination. At the same time, thanks to the concept, orders can be sorted and sequenced with high dynamics in a small space. Returns can be integrated and immediately transferred back into the sales process. The Fulfillment Factory thus enables high throughputs with simultaneous processing of B2C and B2B orders from a single system and is therefore interesting for various products such as cosmetics, clothing, household appliances, toys and other consumer goods. The concept guarantees shop-friendly and customer-friendly delivery.

High performance in a small space
The Fulfillment Factory essentially consists of overhead conveyor technology components, which means that the available space can be used effectively. Floor space can remain free, as storage and sorting systems are arranged above the operational areas. The Fulfillment Factory can be easily retrofitted into existing distribution centers as a stand-alone solution. Other advantages include the flexible use of building structures, interfaces to existing warehouse systems and simple integration into existing IT systems.

Adaptable in use: The SSI Carrier is suitable for flexible omnichannel distribution. © SSI Schäfer

Simple accumulation, buffering, distribution and sorting
The load carriers of the integrated overhead conveyor system are equipped with RFID transponders or barcodes. This prevents errors and achieves a high level of reliability. For a load range of up to 3 kg, the SSI Carrier is characterized as a modular system for the parallel processing of multiple distribution channels. The core element is the primary load carrier - an internal roller adapter - which can accommodate, reliably transport and identify different secondary load carriers such as clothes hangers or bags, depending on requirements. The solution is supplemented by a circulating and accumulating conveyor, diverters and ergonomic workstations. The carrier combines five functions in one drive system: transporting, accumulating, distributing, buffering and sorting. Returns go directly into the dynamic buffer, where they can be picked again immediately for a follow-up order. During cross-docking, the goods are stored directly in the dynamic buffer. From there, the bags are prioritized for new orders and moved to the batch buffer. A suitable solution for just-in-time or same-day delivery.

The matrix sorter sorts the load carriers in order to generate customer orders from the chaotic batches in an orderly sequence. To do this, entire lines are retrieved from the batch buffer and run through one or more sorting stages. The orders can then be packed in sequence at the packing stations or processed further in the desired order.

The SSI Mover pocket sorter is used for e-commerce with heavier goods weighing up to 10 kg. It is particularly suitable for automatic buffering and sequencing in the automotive, electronics and food industries. The system makes use of gravity and is therefore cost and energy efficient.

Simple integration and intelligent software
Ergonomic feeding and packing stations are the interfaces to your existing processes. This is why the Fulfillment Factory can be connected to manual warehouses as well as to an automated warehouse. User-friendly software for controlling and monitoring all functions is an integral part of the Fulfillment Factory. It consists of the Wamas logistics software developed by SSI Schaefer.