Put-to-light plays starring role in e-commerce distribution

Modern Materials Handling

Oct. 2, 2007

Making it big requires excellent behind-the-scenes support, especially in the realm of e-commerce. Trans World Entertainment, a leading specialty retailer of entertainment software, operates nearly 1,000 stores throughout the United States. In addition, they've been building a successful on-line business.

But, the put-to-light system the company had been using since 2000 in its Carson, Calif., e-commerce distribution center was no longer going to be supported by the original provider. So, the retailer looked to improve productivity throughout the put-to-light, labeling, manifesting and shipping processes.

Trans World decided to stick with put-to-light, but went with an upgrade. The updated system has cable-free light module hardware design and advanced software to improve sortation performance. To enable the put and manifesting technologies to work as a single solution, the company installed a new shipping system.

Solution sequel

“This [combination] provides the speed and accuracy needed to support our online business,” says project manager John Traver. “It provides a Web-based portal that allows quick and effortless access to shipping information and operational performance. The major gain in operational efficiencies has provided us added capacity within our existing infrastructure to handle the expected growth of our online business.” The solution quickly optimized the login, scan and put process. It has also enhanced print capabilities of packing slips, shipping labels, and domestic and international documents. It has increased time and efficiency while reducing the opportunity for print delays. The new systems also established improved communication routines that use a database read and write method. The risk of missing orders has been minimized by using a record checking routine that alerts staff to issues before the batch hits the shipping floor.