The logistics lexicon -
informs from A to Z

Automation involves mechanizing and computerizing procedures in a process.

A payment advice note is the advance notification of the receipt of goods. However, a payment advice note should not be confused with the delivery documents for a goods receipt, which arrive together with the delivery of the goods. The advice note arrives an agreed time before the delivery.

The station principle means that "stations" are set up in picking systems with container conveyor technology to connect the individual picking zones in order to divert picking containers. This means that no waiting bins obstruct the main flow of traffic.

A barcode represents certain data. It can contain different types of information. It is often a number that enables the items to be uniquely identified. The barcode consists of an arrangement of black bars and light gaps in which the data to be stored is encoded. Different encodings are possible for this. Scanners are used to read the barcode.

A batch combines almost several orders into an ordered set (list) of orders. In contrast to the interactive processing of programs, the orders combined in a batch are processed without interruption by operator input. For this reason, all the data required to execute the jobs must be available at the start of the batch run.

Batch picking is a form of two-stage picking. Requirements from several individual orders are combined in batches, i.e. in a batch. The goods are then consolidated according to order.

A container holds goods in any form, such as piece goods or bulk goods. Containers have various subdivisions, e.g. boxes, cartons, display cases or other protective packaging. There are also different uses for containers, e.g. they are used as conveying aids, means of transportation or as an aid for provision at the point of use.

With paperless picking, the warehouse management software transmits all the information required for picking to the people in the warehouse, e.g. via the pick display. Employees do not need any paper for the picking process, even with batch picking. The picking displays, which are controlled by the warehouse management software, can be monitors, displays or radio terminals, for example, and can be attached to stationary shelves or mobile on a picking trolley.

An inventory is the stock of products in a warehouse or in production.

A stock difference is an "unintentional" deviation between the stock on hand and the book inventory.

Inventory management is a cross-functional, company-wide task of planning, monitoring and controlling inventories. This affects material-related processes such as development/design, procurement, logistics, production and after-sales.

Movement data are key figures such as the number of shipping pallets per day or the number of picking orders per day that characterize the material flow.

Block storage refers to a form of storage in which the storage units, which can be pallets, crates or cartons, are not directly accessible but are stacked one behind the other in blocks.

A C-conveyor is a vertical conveyor, i.e. a continuously running floor conveyor. It is used especially where a continuous material flow and space-saving conveyor technology are essential.

With chaotic storage, the items do not have a fixed storage bin allocation.

As a rule, a database is a computer-stored collection of data. A large amount of data is stored and managed in a database in a structured way. Special query languages help to find information, change it or link it to the content of other databases.

Distribution logistics, also known as sales logistics, includes the planning and monitoring of all processes for the flow of goods and information between the production company and the customer. Distribution logistics fulfills all the tasks involved in preparing and ultimately carrying out the distribution of goods.

With double-deep storage, two storage units are stored double-deep/behind each other in the same shelf compartment. This saves an aisle and therefore also a storage and retrieval machine and results in a lower investment.

EAN is the abbreviation for European Article Number and the former name for GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

E-fulfillment covers the complete order processing or the entire logistics process from ordering via the Internet, payment, storage and transport through to delivery of the goods.