Deployment in Fürth
Mercedes-Benz's Fürth logistics centre has set new standards for high-performance picking with the introduction of NIMMSTA's Industrial Smart Watch. With the ambition of increasing process efficiency and freeing employees' hands during picking, the NIMMSTA technology has added lustre to these objectives. In the small parts warehouse (KTL) alone, 44 employees pick every day, spread over three levels and with over 80,000 storage locations at the site. Two thirds of the output volume is handled in the KTL alone. Up to 35,000 orders come in every day from a total of 550 customers, some of them with priority rush orders.
The introduction of Smart Watches in January 2022 marks a significant step towards process optimisation and has revolutionised work: hands remain free, processes are faster and interaction with the warehouse management system is direct and precise.
''A wave of enthusiasm arose when the Smart Watches were tested by five people at a time during the trial phase. The positive feedback spread like wildfire, so that every employee in the KTL and the centre parts warehouse was quickly equipped with a NIMMSTA Watch''
Martin Schmidt, Process Control at Mercedes-Benz
Reducing errors
IAs part of multi-order picking, the logistics staff at Mercedes-Benz always pick five orders at the same time, which significantly increases productivity. In the first step, the containers are pre-equipped from A-E, i.e. container A and the corresponding code are married. The employee then receives information on the Smart Watch about the storage location, the removal quantity and the container in which the items are to be picked. To maximise accuracy, an error message appears on the Smart Watch display in the event of an incorrect scan. This must then be confirmed either via the touch display or via the trigger.
Additional acoustic and visual feedback helps to immediately draw the employee's attention to the error. This multi-stage feedback process minimises errors and increases picking precision.ack-Prozess minimiert Fehlgriffe und erhöht die Präzision des Kommissionierens.
Zero passage
If, according to the system, a storage compartment is empty after picking, this information appears on the Smart Watch display with two options: ‘Confirm’ or ‘Correct’. Employees can confirm that this information is correct directly on the back of their hand, which means that the compartment will be refilled later, or if there are still goods in the storage compartment, a correction can be made using a numeric keypad with the correct quantity.
Too little stock
In cases where the stock is insufficient for a picking order, the Smart Watch allows the employee to enter the correct quantity directly. A numeric keypad is opened via the ‘F2’ function button. This can mean that the stock is marked for a partial delivery or that a repeat order is initiated. This direct interaction avoids delays and the workflow is maintained despite stock shortages.
More process efficiency
Picking process redefined: The Smart Watch not only enables employees to pick efficiently, but also provides support for goods receipts and stock transfer orders. The employee repeatedly completes a goods receipt or putaway during picking orders. An empty storage compartment is specified by the WMS and the storage location is then married to the goods.
The freedom of the hands and the performance of the NIMMSTA Smart Watch quickly proved to be indispensable. Even hard-to-read barcodes are no longer a problem, which is perceived by the employees as a significant time saving. Martin Schmidt, process controller, emphasises that all processes have run more smoothly and efficiently since the switch to NIMMSTA.
The initial reluctance to introduce a new product quickly gave way to a wave of enthusiasm when the Smart Watches were first introduced in small test groups. The positive response spread quickly and soon every employee in the KTL and the centre parts warehouse was equipped with their own Smart Watch.
Other locations
The success of this technology is not limited to Fürth. The Smart Watch is also used in the logistics centres in Cologne, Hanover, Mainz and Reutlingen, where it has led to significant improvements in the picking, incoming goods and stock transfer processes. The use of NIMMSTA at Mercedes-Benz is an impressive example of how advanced technologies can transform entire areas. By continuously improving and adapting to the needs of a modern logistics centre, Mercedes-Benz is not only confirming its leading position in the market, but also paving the way to a smarter, more efficient future.
