Article: Optimal order-to-lane assignments in an order accumulation/sortation system.

1. Introduction

Improved distribution centers are needed worldwide to respond to increased competition and to an increased emphasis placed on time-based service; that is, service defined as the throughput time to provide the customer with the product. According to the Vice President of the Industrial Sector Division at IBM, the impact of time-based service on a distribution center is 'smaller order sizes and more frequent deliveries' (Howell, 1993). A response to the paradigm of competing on time-based service has already emerged: the increased use of information technology (Gustin, 1993). The use of scanners and radio-frequency (RF) terminals is quite common in ...

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