Sortation system handles flat and hanging goods together

The design of the hanging pouch system allows sortation of hanging and flat goods simultaneously, making it ideal for multichannel fashion retailers wishing to combine several elements of an order.

SDI Group says the speed of the system will allow retailers to extend the picking window.

The overhead sortation system features a carrier bag or pouch - allowing both hanging garments and boxes to be stored in dynamic picking loops. They can be accessed rapidly, whenever an order is called off by the WMS. The bags are transported by the overhead technology to automatic packing stations.

The MonaLisa incorporates a number of patented designs that deliver ‘world class’ speed for the cycle of overhead storage, product access and transportation to packing stations, says SDI Group.

The company has also developed software to drive the MonaLisa, which allows retailers to see in real time how their merchandise is being accessed and sold. This gives visibility of trends in their distribution centre work requirements, helping to improve predictability for stock forecasting.

A further important advantage is that the MonaLisa uses scaleable technology, allowing retailers to start small and expand the solution as their business grows.

Gordon Smith, CEO of SDI Group said: "The MonaLisa, and its accompanying software, is a compelling product for multichannel fashion and apparel retailers. Many tasks carried out in efulfilment are no different to picking for store distribution at different times of the year but the challenge is to combine them into a single solution. Etailers, however, generally offer a large number of SKUs, so the buildings holding them cover a large area. This requires a system such as The MonaLisa to bring that stock out faster or to make it available in a pre-packed buffer.

"We have already won our first orders for the MonaLisa in Germany and the customer feedback so far has been extremely positive. Clearly the MonaLisa will deliver performance and efficiencies that will make UK multichannel fashion retailers smile.”