Warehouse Automation Glossary
Clear, concise definitions of the terminology used across modern fulfillment, robotics, and warehouse orchestration.
Warehouse Automation Methods and Picking Models
Terminology describing how inventory, people, and robots interact within warehouse fulfillment workflows.
- Person-to-Goods (P2G)
- A warehouse model where autonomous robots take goods from the person doing the picking or putaway of returns to reduce unnecessary walking and boost productivity. With the P2G model, the inventory remains in one location and does not move.
- Goods-to-Person (G2P)
- A fulfillment approach where conveyors, shuttles, storage-and-retrieval systems, or similar technologies move inventory to a workstation for picking or packing. G2P systems often rely on fixed infrastructure and may require facility modifications to expand or reconfigure over time.
- Robots-to-Goods (R2G)
- A warehouse automation model where autonomous robots travel directly to inventory, complete picking and other inventory tasks, and move work forward with minimal human intervention. Because inventory remains in place, R2G provides flexible access to stock while helping operations scale without fixed infrastructure or major facility modifications.
Warehouse Automation Technology and Infrastructure Terms
Core automation technologies, software platforms, and system architecture components used to connect, coordinate, and scale warehouse operations.
- AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot)
- Self-navigating robots that move throughout a warehouse using onboard intelligence, sensors, and software rather than fixed guidance paths. AMRs can adapt to changing workflows, layouts, and operational priorities in real time.
- AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle)
- A warehouse vehicle that follows predetermined routes using wires, markers, magnetic tape, or similar guidance systems. Unlike AMRs, AGVs generally operate on fixed paths and are less adaptable to changing warehouse conditions.
- AS/RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System)
- An automated system that stores and retrieves inventory from high-density storage locations using cranes, shuttles, or robotic mechanisms. AS/RS solutions are commonly used to maximize storage density and reduce manual handling.
- WMS (Warehouse Management System)
- Software that orchestrates warehouse operations, including inventory management, order processing, and labor allocation. A strong WMS integrates well with robotics platforms.
- API (Application Programming Interface)
- A set of protocols enabling communication between software systems that is essential for connecting robotics platforms with existing WMS or ERP tools.
- System-Directed Labor
- An operational model in which software dynamically assigns work to employees and automation resources based on priorities, inventory availability, location, and workload conditions. The goal is to keep work flowing efficiently while reducing idle time and bottlenecks.
- Warehouse Orchestration
- The real-time coordination of people, inventory, workflows, and automation systems to optimize the movement of work across a warehouse operation. Effective orchestration helps maintain flow, balance workloads, and respond dynamically to changing operational demands.
Key Warehouse Metrics and Performance Indicators
Operational measurements used to evaluate fulfillment efficiency, productivity, accuracy, and warehouse performance.
- Units Per Hour (UPH)
- A standard productivity metric that tracks how many units an associate or system can pick, pack, or process in one hour. Often used to benchmark performance before and after automation.
- Lines Per Hour (LPH)
- The number of order lines fulfilled per hour. Each line may represent a unique SKU or item type in an order.
- Mission Time
- The total time it takes for a Locus Robot to complete a mission from order release to fulfillment. Reducing mission time is a common goal of warehouse automation.
- Putaway Mission Time
- The time it takes for received goods to be put away and made available for picking. Efficient receiving and putaway processes, often supported by autonomous robots, can shorten this window.
- Throughput
- The total volume of units, lines, or orders processed within a specific timeframe. Throughput is one of the most widely used measures of warehouse performance and operational capacity.
- Throughput Capacity
- The maximum volume of units, lines, or orders a warehouse can process within a given timeframe. Capacity planning often focuses on ensuring throughput can scale during peak demand periods.
- Order Accuracy
- A measurement of how often customer orders are fulfilled without errors, including incorrect items, quantities, or shipments. Improving order accuracy is a common objective of automation and process optimization initiatives.
Warehouse Operations, Layout, and Supporting Concepts
Common warehouse management practices, fulfillment strategies, facility layout concepts, and automation deployment models.
- Zone Picking
- An order fulfillment strategy where the warehouse is divided into zones, and workers or robots pick items only within their designated areas.
- Batch Picking
- A method where multiple orders are picked simultaneously to maximize efficiency. Often paired with automation to minimize redundant travel.
- Wave Picking
- A fulfillment strategy that releases groups of orders to the floor at scheduled intervals based on factors such as carrier cutoff times, order priority, or labor availability. Wave picking helps coordinate labor and maintain consistent workflow throughout a shift.
- Putaway
- The process of moving received inventory from receiving docks to storage locations. Optimized putaway is critical to ensuring fast, accurate picking later.
- Replenishment
- The movement of inventory from reserve storage locations into forward pick locations to ensure products remain available for fulfillment. Efficient replenishment helps prevent stockouts and workflow disruptions.
- Slotting
- The strategic placement of inventory within a warehouse to optimize travel time and picking efficiency. Frequently re-evaluated in high-SKU or seasonal environments.
- Pick Path
- The route traveled by a worker or robot through the warehouse while completing picking tasks. Optimizing pick paths helps reduce travel time and improve productivity.
- Travel Time
- The amount of time workers or robots spend moving between tasks, inventory locations, or workstations. Because travel can account for a significant portion of labor activity in traditional fulfillment operations, reducing travel time is a primary objective of warehouse automation.
- Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS)
- A flexible automation model where companies subscribe to robotic systems on a monthly or usage-based basis. This enables operational expenditure versus capital expense, minimizes upfront investment, and supports easier scaling.
- Digital Twin
- A virtual representation of a physical warehouse or workflow that can be used to simulate improvements or test automation strategies before physical deployment.
- Exception Handling
- The process of managing non-standard or error-prone tasks such as damaged items or out-of-stock SKUs. Automation platforms are increasingly supporting these workflows with AI and real-time alerts.
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