The ABC Method for Reducing Avoidable Paths
The ABC method basically describes the classification or grouping of all articles in an assortment with regard to their access frequency. On the basis of the classification a distribution of the articles can be made into three zones (ABC). The aim is to identify articles with a high access frequency, so-called "fast-moving items" (A articles), and to place them as close as possible to the picking base. In particular, this saves long driving and walking distances to the articles. "Medium movers" (B articles) and "slow movers" (C articles) are accordingly stored further away from the base station. The boundaries between ABC groups can be selected by the customer, but an orientation to the so-called Lorenz curve is suitable: