Major pick-to-light software version update manages larger data sets with greater speed and features advanced filtering, functionality, and security
WAUKESHA, WI (September 21, 2023) — Matthews Automation Solutions, a provider of warehouse automation and software, announces the new release of their leading pick-to-light software, Lightning Pick Version 8.0. This version features a completely new Operations Manager module with an updated user interface (UI) platform, advanced filtering, faster real-time messaging, encryption between the UI and server, and manages larger sets of data with increased speed.
Pick-to-light systems are used in distribution centers, omnichannel fulfillment centers and production facilities to improve material handling tasks like order picking, kitting, assembly, and sorting. Lights mounted to shelves, racks, carts, workstations and other surfaces visually direct employees to the right products or parts required to complete an order or job. Along with the light devices and related hardware, software is required to receive orders from the customers’ WMS, ERP, MES, or other host software, then manage and optimize the physical tasks with lights.
Introduced in 1998, Lightning Pick was the first Windows-based pick-to-light software available in the United States. The Windows platform was more user-friendly and cost effective than previous generations of this technology. This enabled more companies to adopt light-directed systems and apply them to a wide range of processes within their operations. A fully versioned product, Lightning Pick effectively manages small installations to enterprise-class, multi-site solutions. Today, Matthews’ Lightning Pick has one of the largest number of live pick-to-light systems in North America, with over one million lights installed.
Lightning Pick Version 8.0 highlights include:
- Version 8.0 represents a major move forward for the product with more streamlined processes, auto refreshing, improved search capabilities and filter/report sharing.
- Operations Manager has been re-platformed from .NET 4 to .NET 6 in accordance with Microsoft’s long-term roadmap.
- Encryption between the server and the user interface (UI).
- Advanced user interface filtering, similar in functionality to the popular Microsoft 365 platform, is ideal for both new and expert users.
- The Operations Manager framework makes it easy to add in custom GUI screens and functionality specific to end users.
- Lightning Pick can now accept and return JSON in addition to XML, giving users additional flexibility.
- Lightning Pick provides workplan wizards and other easy-to-use wizards to automate and streamline new implementations and expansions.
“For 25 years, Lightning Pick has been developed with the latest Microsoft technologies. Version 8.0 advances this methodology by delivering significantly advanced performance, functionality, and security for our customers’ light-directed systems,” stated Mike McManus, General Manager of Matthews Lightning Pick.
Lightning Pick software drives the performance of order picking and fulfillment for many global Fortune 500 brands in retail, ecommerce, third party logistics (3PL), pharmaceutical, medical, grocery and convenience, cosmetics, vitamins and nutraceuticals, and more. Plus, production applications for automotive, agricultural, electronics and other discrete manufacturing industries.
Part of Matthews Automation Solutions, Lightning Pick is the best-of-breed solution for pick-to-light, put walls, pack-to-light, picking carts and other light-directed picking, sorting, and material handling systems that boost omnichannel order fulfillment speed and accuracy.
About Matthews Automation Solutions
Global brands partner with Matthews Automation Solutions - a division of Matthews International - for innovative material handling technologies and proven vertical industry expertise. Matthews’ best-in-class warehouse automation brands – Compass Engineering, Lightning Pick and Pyramid – deliver agile, integrated applications. Our recognized picking systems which include pick-to-light, put walls, and picking carts, drive speed and accuracy in order picking and order sortation tasks. Advanced Warehouse Execution Software (WES) integrates and synchronizes islands of automation and balances work for optimum throughput, material flow and real-time process visibility. Combined with our new collaborative robot technologies, Matthews delivers innovative systems that maximize your order fulfillment processes today, and tomorrow.
Contact
Lynn Drewicz
Marketing Manager
262-250-2169