Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for selectively advancing items in a picking schedule are described. Embodiments may include a pick scheduler configured to determine that available labor exceeds labor needed to perform a picking process during a time period of a picking schedule. From items not scheduled to be picked during that time period, the pick scheduler may identify candidate items that are candidates to be picked during that time period. Each candidate item may improve a performance metric of the picking process. The pick scheduler may, for each of multiple candidate items, determine that advancing that item to the time period is expected to improve a shipping metric. The pick scheduler may, in response to determining that the expected shipping metric improvement of a particular candidate item is greater than that of other candidate items, generate an instruction to pick the particular candidate item during the time period.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for validating item placement. An item is placed on a platform. A load cell is configured to measure weight applied to the platform. Placement of the item in a correct one of a plurality of container positions on the platform is verified. The verification is based at least in part on a positional requirement associated with the item, a weight associated with the item, and the weight detected by the load cell.