In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, organizations are under pressure to move goods faster, more accurately, and with greater efficiency. Traditional picking methods, where employees walk long distances to retrieve items, are increasingly difficult to sustain as order volumes rise and labor shortages persist.
Goods-to-Person (GTP) systems offer a proven solution. By automating storage and retrieval, these systems bring inventory directly to the operator at a workstation. Workers no longer waste time traveling between aisles. Instead, they remain in a safe, ergonomic environment focused solely on accurate picking.
This shift does more than increase efficiency. It transforms the warehouse into a more productive, scalable, and resilient operation; exactly what modern supply chains require.
How Goods-to-Person Systems Work
At the core of every GTP system is automation that manages storage, movement, and retrieval. Items are stored in high-density systems such as Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), shuttle systems, or carousels. When an order is placed, the system identifies the required items and delivers them directly to a picking station.
This process reduces travel time to near zero and ensures operators handle only the final step: selecting and verifying the item. Advanced software integration, such as warehouse management systems, orchestrates the process to ensure inventory accuracy and seamless order fulfillment.
The result is higher throughput, consistent accuracy, and an operation designed to adapt quickly to changing business demands.
KPI Solutions’ Approach to GTP Integration
KPI Solutions does not believe in one-size-fits-all warehouse automation. Each facility has unique needs based on its order profiles, SKU mix, labor market, and physical layout. That’s why we begin every project with a consultative process, aligning system design with long-term business goals.
Our GTP solutions often combine:
- Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS): High-density storage with fast retrieval speed.
- Shuttle Systems: Multi-level, high-speed transport of totes or trays.
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs): Flexible robotic transport to connect storage and picking zones.
- Conveyors and Sortation Systems: Continuous, high-speed product movement across the facility.
All these technologies integrate seamlessly with control software and existing equipment, creating a unified, high-performance system. From concept and installation to lifetime services, KPI Solutions ensures each solution delivers immediate and long-term value.
The Benefits of Goods-to-Person Systems
Adopting GTP creates measurable improvements across multiple areas of warehouse performance:
- Productivity Gains: Eliminating worker travel increases pick rates significantly.
- Improved Accuracy: Automated retrieval minimizes human error, reducing costly mistakes and returns.
- Optimized Labor: With fewer employees required for higher output, businesses can address labor shortages more effectively.
- Scalable Growth: Modular design allows easy expansion as order volumes grow.
- Enhanced Safety and Ergonomics: Bringing goods to the worker reduces repetitive strain and workplace injuries.
These advantages translate directly into stronger financial performance. Lower operating costs, faster order cycles, and higher customer satisfaction all contribute to a more competitive and resilient supply chain.
Where Goods-to-Person Systems Deliver the Most Value
Goods-to-Person systems can be applied across industries where speed and accuracy are critical. Examples include:
- eCommerce and Retail Fulfillment: High order volumes and rapid shipping demands make GTP essential for competitive service levels.
- Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG): Complex SKU assortments benefit from efficient, accurate picking.
- Manufacturing: GTP supports just-in-time delivery of components, keeping production lines running smoothly.
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Accuracy and traceability are critical, making GTP a strong fit for compliance-driven industries.
KPI Solutions has implemented goods-to-person strategies in a wide range of environments, always tailoring the system to the business’s unique requirements.
