Best Practices for Optimizing Automated MFCs and EFCs

Equally important is the software controlling the automation system. E-grocery is one of the most demanding and complex e-fulfillment applications and not all software can meet the basic requirements or even enable optimization. The software must be able to track and manage orders through manual and automated picking processes, and manage inventory and fulfillment based on expiry and best-by dates. Additional features such as ability to manage products that require various forms of weight capture, track fast-moving inventory, easily reconfigure bins during replenishment, and buffer orders in the automation system can also be valuable when shifting from startup to optimization. 

A final issue that can set the stage for effective optimization is determining which products are fulfilled through automation and which are picked manually. Instead of using broad product categories to decide, the best practice is to evaluate each SKU based on criteria specific to the automation system. These criteria include size of the product, temperature requirements, replenishment schedule/cadence and cubic volume velocity. As you gain experience with the system, you may find some products in the automation can be more efficiently picked manually or vice versa, but you’ll be refining the initial strategy rather than overhauling it. 

Optimizing for Productivity and Performance
If you’ve done the work upfront, the period following implementation can be focused on optimization rather than dealing with surprises, such as unanticipated exceptions or excessive spoilage caused by poor inventory management. We are working with grocers today to implement the following optimization strategies: 

• Streamlining replenishment: Changes to upstream processes can improve space utilization and productivity in MFCs and EFCs. Instead of breaking down cases at the MFC before loading product into the automation system, automation-ready bin sleeves can be prepared at the central distribution center (CDC) to enable faster, space-efficient replenishment with minimal product handling. As the number of distributed fulfillment centers grows, economies of scale possible at the CDC further enhance the value of this strategy. 
• Data-driven process optimization: Just because a product was identified as being picked from the automation system during the design phase, doesn’t mean that it will always be the case. Seasonal demand and other factors can change a product’s cubic volume velocity, which can be identified through regular analysis of data from the system. There may also be opportunities to improve speed and productivity by using system data to develop advanced slotting strategies or fine-tune picking processes. What would be the effect, for example, if produce was sold by piece instead of weight or loaded into the system in pre-weighed packages? Working with your automation provider to analyze system data beyond orders-per-day or orders-per-hour can often uncover opportunities to improve productivity and reduce fulfillment times. 
• Enhancing consolidation and staging: Consolidation usually doesn’t pose too many challenges when e-grocery services are limited to store pickup. But when grocers add home delivery, or delivery to other stores, space devoted to consolidation can get congested and it can be difficult to coordinate consolidation across the various modes being supported. In smaller sites, simple enhancements such as adding flow racks can have a positive impact. Larger sites may consider additional technology, such as a shuttle system, to sequence and consolidate ambient, chilled and manually picked components of an order and synchronize consolidation with complex pickup and delivery schedules. Order consolidation has been somewhat overlooked in discussions about e-grocery fulfillment, but it is becoming a critical capability as consumer expectations shift to shorter fulfillment times.

We are entering a very exciting stage in the evolution of e-grocery. Focusing on optimization both in the planning and operations stages of an e-grocery fulfillment center will help grocers adapt to changing consumer behaviors and reduce order fulfillment costs.