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) — Mathews 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 the largest number of live pick-to-light systems in North America, with over one million lights installed.
- 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.”
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.
Lightning Pick was introduced in 1998. Today, Lightning Pick has the largest number of live pick-to-light systems in North America, with more than one million lights installed.
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ABOUT MATTHEWS AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS
Global brands partner with Matthews Automation Solutions to increase distribution and order fulfillment speed, accuracy and efficiency. Matthews’ broad portfolio of best-of-breed solutions—including leading material handling automation brands Compass, Lightning Pick and Pyramid—offers warehouse execution software, controls, pick-to-light, put walls, order finishing systems, autonomous mobile robots and more. Combined with 25 years of industry experience and proven integration with other material handling systems, Matthews delivers agile and scalable applications throughout the supply chain. Matthews Automation Solutions is a Matthews International company, servicing customers from two North American locations.
