Artificial Intelligence: DHL algorithm makes e-fulfilment more effective

DHL Express has implemented sortation robots to increase productivity and service quality at the company’s service centres in Miami, Florida.

DHL Supply Chain has announced it is aiming to optimise e-fulfilment for online shops with IDEA, its own plug and play software solution, using algorithmic analysis and data science for picking routes and warehouse staff allocation. To meet challenging e-commerce needs, especially during COVID-19, DHL Supply Chain is increasingly relying on intelligent, IT-based forecasting and analysis tools to optimise warehousing and processing of online orders for major e-sellers.

“The COVID crisis has shown us that unforeseen volume fluctuations for individual products can put enormous stress on supply chains. Lack of clarity regarding stock levels and incorrect data on availability can lead to bottlenecks for individual products and then delays in delivering to end customers,” explains Markus Voss, CIO & COO at DHL Supply Chain. “We are working with our customers – large online stores and retail companies – on more stress-resilient, reliable algorithms and tools to better anticipate demand fluctuations, optimise the allocation of manpower and thereby accelerate the throughput of goods and order cycles.”

“Our IDEA analysis tool is one of our many answers to these e-commerce challenges,” says Dietmar Steins, EVP Solutions Design at DHL Supply Chain. “With its algorithm, this ‘artificial intelligence’ solution helps optimise picking routes within the warehouse. Orders are also clustered logically, which helps optimise picking by our colleagues in the warehouses. The integrated, intelligent task planning can also optimise workload distribution for warehouse staff and help prioritise more time-critical shipments. Moreover, IDEA reduces error rates as well as the time required for employee training.”

Overall, the IDEA algorithm can improve order-picking processes in DHL-operated warehouses. The costs involved are comparatively low since the software, developed by DHL, is aimed to be compatible with most traditional warehouse management systems and can be integrated into existing IT infrastructure. In its first commercial deployments, the solution is said to have reduced distance traveled by warehouse employees by up to 50% and increased productivity of individual DHL locations by up to 30%.

DHL Supply Chain reportedly developed and designed the IDEA software solution specifically for use in e-fulfilment warehouses. The company employs a dedicated team of some 350 developers, engineers and solutions designers to develop and optimise warehouse logistics processes on behalf of its clients.

Source: DPDHL