Inefficient walking patterns are one of the biggest hidden costs in warehouse operations. When pickers follow suboptimal routes, it results in longer pick times, higher labour intensity and unnecessary congestion. Improving warehouse picking is not just about speed, it’s about smarter movement.
Why warehouse picking needs rethinking
Traditional picking processes often rely on static routes or outdated assumptions about item locations. As order volumes grow and product assortments change, these patterns quickly become inefficient. This leads to extra steps, overlapping routes and longer shift times, all of which reduce productivity and increase cost.
How RFID and data improve picking flows
With RFID technology, warehouses can track the real-time movement of goods and pickers. By analysing this data, Mieloo & Alexander identifies inefficiencies in walking routes, pick timing and item positioning. The result: warehouse picking based on actual flow, not assumptions.
RFID tags are attached to bins, pallets or pick trolleys. Fixed readers or mobile devices register movement automatically. This data feeds into dashboards and heatmaps that show how pickers move and where time is lost. It’s the foundation for data-driven warehouse optimisation.