Solutions to Improve Picking Quality for EDEKA Südwest

Solution Space

You will find all information regarding the goal, the requirements and the potential partner profile. 

Target 

EDEKA Südwest is looking for solutions that can significantly improve the reliability and transparency of the picking process by making deviations visible much earlier than today. The goal is to reduce mispicks, lower store-level complaints, decrease rework effort and ultimately generate a measurable positive operational impact. 

To achieve this, the solution space is intentionally left open. Relevant directions may include: 

• technology-based approaches (sensing, vision, analytics, digital assistance), 
• process-based approaches (workflow adjustments, checks, confirmations), 
• human-centered approaches (behavioral nudges, task design, guidance), 

Hybrid approaches that combine these dimensions are equally welcome. Any solution that can reliably reduce picking deviations and generate operational value is in scope. 

Solution Requirements 

These requirements serve as orientation. Not all criteria must be fully met from day one. 

Functional Requirements - the solution should: 

• detect or prevent picking deviations (wrong item, wrong quantity, wrong roll container) as early as possible, ideally during the pick 
• thus provide real-time or near-real-time feedback that enables pickers to correct deviations  
• improve picking accuracy in a measurable and sustained way 
• support traceability of picking actions to enable root-cause analysis 
• work reliably across a high number of SKUs (30,000+) 
• operate reliably under warehouse conditions (non-cooled) including variable lighting, high movement, occlusion, temperature fluctuations or dust 

Operational Requirements - the solution must: 

• work within the physical constraints of the existing warehouse environment (aisles, racks, roll containers, lighting, pace, gloves, noise) 
• be intuitive enough for fast adoption by warehouse staff with minimal training 
• keep additional workload or friction low (allow process adjustments if ROI-positive) 

Technical Requirements 

• work either alongside or instead of the current pick-by-voice workflow. The solution may enhance the existing workflow or replace it with an alternative picking assistance method 
• connect to EDEKA Südwest’s existing warehouse / order management system via a documented interface (API or similar) 
• be system-agnostic to allow a future transition to the new national warehouse system without significant reintegration effort 
• support secure and compliant data transfer if data needs to be sent into EDEKA Südwest systems (e.g., encrypted API calls or local on-device processing) 
• GDPR-compliant handling of any worker-related or camera-based data 

ROI Requirements - the solution should deliver a positive net ROI, considering the cost of the solution itself and the operational benefits it generates through: 

• fewer store complaints 
• less rework 
• fewer replacement deliveries 
• more stable, predictable processes 

Partner Requirements 

Partner Requirements – the solution provider should: 

• have an initial customer base or pilots in place, ideally in logistics, retail or related operations 
• demonstrate operational stability, indicating the company can support a large corporate customer and growing data volumes 
• be open to an iterative pilot and co-development, including adapting the solution to EDEKA Südwest’s warehouse environment and processes 
• be able to collaborate in German or English; a DACH-based presence is a plus but not mandatory 
• ensure GDPR-compliant handling of data and follow standard enterprise security practices 
• provide transparent cost and impact information to support an ROI evaluation