Auslagerung
Also: Auslagerungen, Warenauslagerung, Lagerauslagerung, Auslagerungsprozess, Auslagerungsvorgang
AI-generated
Retrieval refers to the physical process by which goods or load units are removed from a storage area and transferred to a downstream process – such as picking or shipping.
Key facts
- Retrieval encompasses both the physical removal of goods from their storage location and the system posting in the warehouse management system.
- It can be carried out manually by warehouse staff or fully automated by conveyor systems and driverless vehicles.
- The sequence of retrievals is controlled by picking strategies such as FIFO or LIFO, which are selected according to the type of goods and the storage system used.
- Throughput – measured in retrievals per hour – is a key planning and design criterion for automated warehouse systems.
What is retrieval?
Retrieval refers to any targeted removal of a product, container, or load unit from a defined storage location. The term encompasses both the physical transport from the storage position to the handover point and the corresponding posting in the warehouse management system (WMS). The retrieval process is only complete when the system posting and the physical goods movement are in agreement. This distinguishes retrieval from a simple removal without system confirmation, which would result in inventory discrepancies.
How does retrieval work in practice?
A fundamental distinction is made between manual and automated retrieval. In manual processes, the warehouse employee receives a retrieval order – often via handheld scanner, pick-by-voice, or augmented reality glasses – and removes the goods independently. Automated systems such as high-bay warehouses, carousel racks, or automated guided vehicles (AGVs, AMRs) carry out the retrieval autonomously as soon as the WMS triggers a corresponding order.
The sequence of retrieval orders is controlled by picking strategies. Common strategies include:
- FIFO (First In, First Out): The first goods stored are the first to be retrieved – relevant for items with a best-before date.
- LIFO (Last In, First Out): Useful for non-perishable goods and certain storage types such as drive-in racking.
- Chaotic storage with system-controlled retrieval: The WMS selects the optimal storage location based on criteria such as travel time or weight.
In automated warehouses, retrieval throughput – measured in retrievals per hour – plays a central role in the dimensioning of the system. Bottlenecks frequently occur at handover points between automated and manual areas.
What factors matter when making a selection?
When planning or optimizing retrieval processes, several factors should be taken into account. First, throughput requirements: how many retrievals must be handled per hour during peak periods? Second, the product structure: heavy, bulky, or refrigerated items place different demands on the system than small parts. Third, system integration: the WMS must be able to prioritize retrieval orders cleanly and process confirmations in real time, so that downstream systems such as ERP or TMS receive reliable inventory data.
Whether a manual, semi-automated, or fully automated solution makes sense depends heavily on order volume, number of SKUs, space constraints, and budget. There is no universally superior option – the decision must always be made on a system- and company-specific basis.
Related terms
- AGV
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) refers to driverless transport vehicles that automatically move goods in warehouses and production environments. They follow predefined or sensor-controlled routes without a human driver.
- AKL
An Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully mechanized storage system for bins, trays, or cartons that automates the goods-to-person process using aisle-captive storage and retrieval machines or shuttles.
- AMR
AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a driverless, self-navigating transport robot that moves goods within a warehouse without any fixed installed infrastructure. It orientates itself independently using sensors and digital maps, and dynamically avoids obstacles.
- Akustische Kommissionierung
Acoustic order picking is a paperless picking method in which warehouse employees receive pick instructions via voice and confirm each step using spoken responses. Both hands remain free throughout the actual picking process.
- Auftragsabwicklung
Order fulfillment refers to the complete process from receiving a customer order through to its successful delivery and invoicing. It encompasses all operational and administrative steps required to fulfill an order on time and without errors.
- Auftragsart
The order type classifies an order according to its process logic and thereby determines which workflows, priorities, and rules apply in the warehouse management or ERP system. Typical examples include customer order, stock transfer, return, or sample order.
- Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays the real environment in real time with digital information such as text, graphics, or 3D models. In intralogistics, AR primarily supports picking, maintenance, and the onboarding of new employees.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking is a logistics method in which goods are transferred directly from inbound to outbound transport at a transshipment point, without going through conventional put-away and storage.
- Cross-Docking
Cross-docking refers to a goods handling process in which items are transferred directly from inbound receiving to outbound shipping without interim storage. The goal is to reduce throughput times and avoid warehousing costs.
- Hochregallager
A high-bay warehouse is an automated storage facility with racking from approximately twelve meters in height, where stacker cranes automatically store and retrieve pallets.
- Kommissionierung
Order picking is the process of assembling individual items from warehouse stock to fulfill a specific customer order — the most labor-intensive step in the warehouse.