A storage assignment simulation model for optimizing processes in an e-commerce warehouse of a fashion supply chain

The wide spread of e-commerce and in general B2C systems brought new challenges to supply chains which had to reconsider part of their systems whilst maintaining the same goal: a high level of customer satisfaction. One of the main functions affected by these challenges is the logistics activity, including warehouse management and transports. Indeed, they now have to face higher orders at the same time, to manage picks demand in specified periods, to increase journeys for reaching various customers geographically dispersed. Optimization and synchronization are essential. To this end and according to the steps of the Deming Cycle, this paper presents the case of a warehouse located in northern Italy whose storage activity was firstly simulated and then successfully implemented so as to optimize the picking activity and consequently the subsequent processes of the outbound flow. Improvements were assessed through determined key performance indicators, monitored before and after the implementation of the new strategy.