Planning of Order Picking Processes Using Simulation and Genetic Algorithm in Multi-criteria Scheduling Optimization

In profit-oriented environments, such as warehousing, the minimization of labor costs, and thus the flexibility of labor force is an increasingly important issue. Such an operating policy requires effective capacity planning methods to determine the number of personnel and equipment per activity and scheduling procedures to define the sequence of tasks by considering their strict deadline. In the following, the use of a discrete event simulation model for multi-criteria scheduling optimization of order picking activities in a warehouse with genetic algorithm (GA) is presented. The operative planning system consists of a database, a discrete event simulation model, an application for capacity estimation and a scheduling algorithm. The system was designed to support operative warehouse management personnel in order picking process scheduling and planning.