Motion-Mining® in fashion logistics

Process analyses with Motion-Mining® at HUGO BOSS

In winter 2017, HUGO BOSS AG joined forces with MotionMiners GmbH to test our Motion-Mining® technology for analyzing manual work processes. HUGO BOSS is the first company from the fashion industry to have used this technology to evaluate its potential for itself. As part of the joint project, the putaway process at the Wendlingen location was analyzed for the B2C sector (e-commerce).

Two questions were considered as part of the project. Firstly, three storage carts were compared with each other with regard to the handling effort involved and ergonomic aspects. Secondly, the general sequence of the current system-guided putaway process was analyzed and evaluated on the basis of key figures. In order to answer these questions, movement data of the employees:ines and storage carts were recorded with the help of sensors over a period of four weeks. A test group was formed from employees who participated in the recording of the processes during their daily work.

By randomly selecting a sensor set, the recording was completely anonymous, so that no employee reference could be established. Selected storage carts were used on different days.
The following key figures were determined from the recorded data using Motion-Mining® technology: Travel times (with and without trolleys), clearing times, other handling times (for the most part, these are accounted for by search and sorting times), as well as waiting times and special processes. In addition, the time and effort involved in handling the storage carts was also determined. Of particular interest here was how often the trolley has to be moved by the employee(s) in the course of a storage process and what effect the weighing has on the handling heights and process times.

Thus, an objective database was created on the basis of which the storage process could be evaluated. This database was supplemented by manual observations. Based on this database, a utility value analysis of the storage carts was created, from which a preferred cart type could be derived from an ergonomic and performance-based point of view. This was supplemented by suggestions for improvements in the design and use of the carts. For the storage process, we were also able to measure the unproductive part of the search and sorting times that result from system-guided storage. On this basis, we were able to draw up a recommendation for a change in the putaway process. With these recommendations, HUGO BOSS carried out initial tests to adjust the ergonomics of the putaway carts. Likewise, a change in the putaway process is being evaluated to further improve productivity in the process.