By using Hänel lean lifts, HT Connect has found the perfect e-commerce logistics solution for itself and benefits from fast and reliable order processing and warehouse organization. In the Hänel vertical lifts, 95 percent of all items offered in the store are organized systematically and in a space-saving manner. By utilizing the entire height of the hall, more than 10,000 items are stored in the lean lifts on a minimal footprint. The wide range of different products is organized in matching boxes and stored in height-optimized Hänel multifunctional containers in the lift.

Optimum integration of the lift control system

The Hänel MP 14 N microprocessor controller in HostData mode is connected to the JTL ERP system. This direct integration of the lift controller enables optimum logistics processes. The higher-level ERP system manages articles, stocks, orders and customers. After an order is received in the online store, an order is created in the ERP system and transferred to the warehouse. System-controlled parallel pre-positioning takes place at each lift system to increase picking speed. The interaction between the ERP system and intelligent lift control is the basis for fast, flexible and efficient goods processing at HT Connect. At the beginning, the order is recorded on one of the barcode scanners directly below the MP-14-N control system and thus started in the system. The extractor in the Hänel lean lift then automatically brings the required multifunctional containers to the removal area one after the other. In this way, up to four Hänel lean lifts in each lift network simultaneously provide the items to be picked at an ergonomic removal height. This parallel pre-positioning on all six lift units enables large order quantities to be processed in the shortest possible time.

Reliable identification thanks to Pick-o-Light-Vario

Confusion-free identification of the requested article thanks to the Hänel Pick-o-Light Vario. © Hänel/Marks

The Pick-o-Light-Vario system supports employees with guided and efficient pick-by-light picking. The relevant storage location on the container is marked by a light spot directly during picking, avoiding any confusion. In addition, the quantity and storage location are shown to the user on the display of the MP-14-N controller. In this way, all items can be removed from the lifts quickly, safely and at an ergonomic height and assembled directly on the adjacent roller conveyor. Each completed order item is acknowledged at the control system, booked in the ERP system and stored in the red order box. Meanwhile, the next item is automatically prepared in the lift. Once all items of an order from the first lift group have been processed, the order box is transferred to the other lift groups for completion via the middle roller conveyor.

Scalable picking performance thanks to parallel pre-positioning

A high picking performance that can be flexibly adapted to the order volume is a decisive advantage for the seasonal order situation at HT Connect. Parallel pre-positioning at each lift system enables orders to be processed quickly. For an additional increase in picking performance, two employees even work on each lift system during the peak season with correspondingly high order volumes. As soon as the orders have passed through the Hänel picking warehouse, they are forwarded to the packing line and then dispatched to the customer.