A methodology to solve the Order Batching Problem

The order picking process is, perhaps one of the most costly operation within any warehouse, compared to the other main activities shipping, storage and receiving stages. Therefore, this work proposes a methodology that combines an optimization algorithm with a simulation model to perform the picking process. This resolution approach has different stochastic and deterministic variables which must be taken into account to produce a more robust solution of the problem. The optimization algorithm produces an initial solution of some deterministic parameters which feeds the simulation model together with some stochastic variables (e.g. picking time of each article) to produce a more robust solution.