Picking work support system, picking work support method, and program

Abstract

To enable a worker to determine an efficient work procedure before starting a picking work.SOLUTION: A picking work support system includes: a position specification part that specifies a position of a worker during a picking operation; a work information generation part that generates work information indicating a content of a picking work performed by the worker; a position prediction part that predicts a transition in the position of the worker during a picking work based on the work information and the position of the worker during a picking work identified by the position specification part; and a congestion information generation part that generates congestion information for a storage area based on the transition in the position of the worker during a picking work predicted by the position prediction part, wherein a new worker who newly starts a picking work provides the congestion information to a mobile device to be used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking operation support system, a picking operation support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for allowing workers to avoid picking work in crowded areas in a workplace. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-322026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above technology is related to processing after the worker arrives at the storage location of the item to be picked, and it is not known whether the storage location is congested until the worker actually arrives at the storage location of the item to be picked. Furthermore, even if the worker is able to avoid congestion for the time being, the next storage location they head to may also be congested. Therefore, the above technology may result in wasted travel time for the worker. If travel time is wasted, it may take longer to complete the picking work, reducing work efficiency.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such technical problems, and has an object to enable a worker to determine an efficient work procedure before starting a picking work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of workers use portable devices for picking work, and identification information included in the recognition codes attached to the plurality of items are used. , and divided into multiple areasa storage unit that stores storage positions of the plurality of items in a storage yard; a position specifying unit that specifies a position of the worker during picking work based on the storage positions of the items for which the worker during picking work has acquired the identification information from the recognition code using the portable device; a work information generating unit that generates work information indicating the content of the picking work to be performed by the worker; a position prediction unit that predicts a change in the position of the worker during picking work based on the work information and the position of the worker during picking work specified by the position specifying unit; and a position prediction unit that predicts a change in the position of the worker during picking work based on the change in the position of the worker during picking work predicted by the position prediction unit. Regarding the number of workers present in each of the plurality of areas a congestion information generating unit that generates congestion information; ,before A picking operation support system is provided that provides the congestion information to the portable device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, the change in the position of the worker during the picking operation is predicted, and congestion information of the storage yard is generated based on the predicted change in the position of the worker during the picking operation. , mobile This allows workers to determine the most efficient work procedure before starting picking work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a picking operation support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a storage area for items. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of work information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining prediction of a change in the position of a worker. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of congestion information. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a position identification process. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a work information generation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A picking operation support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The picking operation support system 100 is a system that improves the overall work efficiency of picking operations (shipping operations) performed by a plurality of workers in a warehouse or the like.

[0011] First, a schematic configuration of a picking operation support system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the picking operation support system 100.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the picking operation support system 100 includes a management device 10 and a portable device 20. For ease of understanding, Fig. 1 shows one portable device 20. However, the picking operation support system 100 includes multiple portable devices 20 according to the number of workers.

[0013] The mobile device 20 includes a smart device 30 and a scanner 40. The smart device 30 and the scanner 40 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless connection.

[0014] The smart device 30 is wirelessly connected to the management apparatus 10 via a network 90. ​​The network 90 is, for example, the Internet or an intranet.

[0015] The management device 10 includes a communication unit 11 for performing wired or wireless communication, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12 for performing various arithmetic processing, and a storage unit 13 for storing a database for storing various information, various programs, etc. The storage unit 13 is a memory, a hard disk, or other known storage device.

[0016] The management device 10 is, for example, a computer that functions as a server, but may also be installed in a cloud environment. In other words, its physical form is software and a database. Therefore, the management device 10 may be installed either inside or outside the warehouse. The management device 10 may also be a virtual server that can be realized by virtualization technology.

[0017] Each of the multiple workers carries the portable device 20 for use in the picking work. The portable device 20 may be attached to a cart or the like used by the worker. In such a case, it can also be said that the worker carries the portable device 20.

[0018] The smart device 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable display.

[0019] The smart device 30 includes a communication unit 31 for wireless communication, a CPU 32 for performing various calculation processes, a storage unit 33 for storing databases for storing various information, various programs, etc., and a display 34 for displaying various information. The storage unit 33 is a memory, a hard disk, or other known storage device.

[0020] The scanner 40 is used to inspect the items P picked by the worker.

[0021] 1, various items P stored in a warehouse or the like are each assigned an identification code 41. By scanning the identification code 41 with a scanner 40, it is possible to read the identification information contained in the identification code 41. The identification information read by the scanner 40 is transmitted from the smart device 30 to the management device 10.

[0022] The scanner 40 and the management device 10 may be connected via a network 90, and the identification information may be sent directly from the scanner 40 to the management device 10.

[0023] The identification information includes information about the product P to which the recognition code 41 is attached. The information about the product P is, for example, a product name, a product code, etc., and is information that can identify the contents of the product P. Note that, instead of including this information directly in the identification information, information for identifying the information may be included in the identification information.

[0024] The recognition code 41 may be an optical recognition code such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or a color code that expresses coded information by changing color. It may also be a code that expresses information by a character string or a graphic. In FIG. 1, a barcode is shown as an example of the recognition code 41.

[0025] Furthermore, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) medium that stores identification information in an IC chip can also be used as a type of recognition code 41. When an RFID medium is used, the mobile device 20 is provided with an RFID reader instead of the scanner 40.

[0026] The scanner 40 may be integrated with the smart device 30. In other words, a mode in which the smart device 30 has the function of the scanner 40 and the function of an RFID reader may also be employed.

[0027] Next, the functions of the management device 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the management device 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a storage site S for an item P in a warehouse or the like. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of work information. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining prediction of changes in the location of a worker. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of congestion information. Note that FIG. 2 shows a part of the functions of the management device 10 as a block diagram, and each block does not necessarily mean a physical configuration.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the management device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 13, a position identification unit 12a, a position prediction unit 12b, a congestion information generation unit 12c, and a work information generation unit 12d.

[0030] The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various information to and from the plurality of portable devices 20. In the following, of the plurality of portable devices 20, the portable device 20 used by the worker currently performing picking work will be described as portable device 20a, and the portable device 20 used by a new worker who is about to start picking work will be described as portable device 20b.

[0031] As described above, the storage unit 13 has a database that stores various types of information. The information stored (memorized) in the database includes, for example, the storage location of the item P in the storage site S, the identification information of the recognition code 41 attached to the item P, the device information assigned to each of the multiple portable devices 20, the location of the worker currently working, shipping information that is a shipping order for the item P, and work information that indicates the content of the picking work to be performed by the worker. In other words, the work information is work instructions for the worker.

[0032] The position specifying unit 12a specifies the position of the worker performing the picking operation based on the storage position of the item P for which the worker performing the picking operation has acquired identification information from the recognition code 41 using the mobile device 20a.

[0033] First, the storage locations of the items P will be described using an example in which various items P are stored in a storage site S shown in FIG.

[0034] In this embodiment, the storage site S is divided into four areas, area 1 to area 4. Each area has a plurality of storage spaces for items P. The storage spaces are formed, for example, by shelves, containers, etc. A storage space number (1 to 45) is assigned to each storage space for each area.

[0035] For example, the storage location of item P stored in storage space 5 of area 2 is "2-5," and the identification information of item P and the storage location "2-5" are stored in advance in memory unit 13 in association with each other. Similarly, the storage locations of all items P stored in storage site S are stored in memory unit 13 in association with their identification information. The association of the identification information of item P with the storage location is performed, for example, when the item is put into storage.

[0036] When a worker picks up an item P and scans the recognition code 41 attached to the item P with the scanner 40, the identification information contained in the recognition code 41, together with device information assigned to the mobile device 20a being used, is transmitted from the smart device 30 to the management device 10. The device information assigned to the mobile device 20a is stored in advance in the memory unit 33 of the smart device 30.

[0037] When the location specifying unit 12a acquires the device information and the identification information via the communication unit 11, it refers to the database in the memory unit 13. Then, it specifies the storage location of the item P corresponding to the acquired identification information as the location of the mobile device 20a corresponding to the acquired device information, i.e., the location of the worker using the mobile device 20a. In other words, since the item P whose storage location is "2-5" has been picked, it is considered that the worker is located at storage location "2-5," and so the location specifying unit 12a specifies the worker's location as "2-5."

[0038] The position identifying unit 12a associates the identified worker position with the equipment information and stores it in the storage unit 13. The position identifying unit 12a identifies the worker position every time it acquires equipment information and identification information, so the worker positions stored in the storage unit 13 are updated according to the progress of the picking work. This makes it possible to grasp the position of each worker during the picking work.

[0039] When a request to start picking work is received from the portable device 20b used by a new worker who is about to start picking work, the position prediction unit 12b predicts the subsequent shift in the worker's position based on the work information corresponding to the worker currently performing the picking work and the worker's position identified by the position identification unit 12a. The prediction of the shift in the worker's position is performed for all workers currently performing the picking work.

[0040] The following description will be given taking as an example worker L who is performing a picking operation based on the operation information shown in FIG.

[0041] The work information is displayed, for example, on the display 34 of the smart device 30. Therefore, the worker performing the picking work can check information about the items P to be picked (product code, product name), the quantity to be picked, storage location, orderer, work completion deadline, etc. in the order of picking (order of item numbers in FIG. 4).

[0042] The worker L performs the picking work starting from item P with item number 1 in the work information. Here, the time required for the picking work for each item number is known in advance as data from past work results. Therefore, the position prediction unit 12b can predict the progress of the work of the worker L based on the time required for the picking work for each item number.

[0043] For example, if the time when the request to start picking work is received from mobile device 20b is "8:30" and worker L's location is "4-35," it is assumed that worker L is located in area 4 at the time "8:30," and that he or she has completed picking work up to item number 3.

[0044] 5, the position prediction unit 12b determines that the position of the worker L at time "8:30" is Area 4. Then, the position prediction unit 12b determines the position of the worker L thereafter based on the work progress prediction result predicted from the work information.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows the prediction result of the position prediction unit 12b, which indicates that worker L will be located in area 4 from time "8:30" to time "9:30", and in area 2 from time "9:40" to time "10:00".

[0046] In Figure 5, between the time "9:30" and the time "9:40", the area where worker L is located changes from area 4 to area 2. This means that the picking operation of item number 8 shown in Figure 4 is predicted to be completed between the time "9:30" and the time "9:40".

[0047] In Fig. 5, the time interval for predicting the worker's position is every 10 minutes, but the time interval for predicting the position can be changed as appropriate.

[0048] The congestion information generation unit 12c generates congestion information for the storage site S based on the change in the position of the worker during the picking operation predicted by the position prediction unit 12b. The congestion information is displayed on the display 34 of the smart device 30, for example.

[0049] As described above, the position prediction unit 12b predicts the transition of the positions of all workers who are performing picking work. By superimposing all of these prediction results, congestion information is generated. Congestion information can be generated even if there is only one worker performing picking work.

[0050] As an example, Figure 6 shows congestion information for a case where a request to start picking work was made from mobile device 20b at 8:30, and as shown in Figure 3, there are three workers in area 1, three workers in area 2, zero workers in area 3, and four workers in area 4.

[0051] In Figure 6, the presence or absence of hatching indicates that at time "8:30," Area 1, Area 2, and Area 4 are crowded with many workers, while Area 3 has few workers (area information). Also, the predicted busy periods for each area until time "10:00" are shown. The number of workers required to be present in the same area to be considered "congested" can be changed as needed.

[0052] 6, areas 1 to 4 are shown in order of least number of workers as of the time "8:30" (area order information). Specifically, in FIG. 6, area 3, which has no workers, is shown at the top, followed by areas 1 and 2, which have three workers, and area 4, which has four workers, is shown at the bottom.

[0053] The order of Area 1 and Area 2, which have the same number of workers, is displayed in ascending order of the numbers assigned to them. However, it can also be set to display in ascending order of numbers. In other words, whether the order is ascending or descending can be changed as needed. Also, various rules can be set as needed for the display order using the sort function.

[0054] The work information generating unit 12d generates work information indicating the content of the picking work to be performed by a new worker who is about to start a new picking work.

[0055] Specifically, when the work information generation unit 12d receives a request to start picking work from the mobile device 20b, it generates work information based on the shipping information stored in the memory unit 13 and the congestion information generated by the congestion information generation unit 12c.

[0056] By using congestion information to generate work information, it is possible to determine an efficient work procedure that allows picking work to be performed while avoiding congested areas.

[0057] That is, the work information generating unit 12d generates work information so as to provide work instructions for performing picking work in order from the least congested area in the congestion information.

[0058] For example, in the case of the congestion information shown in FIG. 6, work information is generated so that work instructions are given to perform picking work in order starting from area 3, which has the fewest workers.

[0059] As described above, the time required for the picking operation of item P is known in advance as data, so the area where work will be performed next after area 3 will be an area where congestion can be avoided when the picking operation in area 3 is completed. The work order for the remaining two areas is determined in the same way.

[0060] The picking order (picking order information) for multiple items P stored in the same area can be determined based on, for example, at least one of the work completion deadline, item name, and orderer. The picking order information is not limited to this, and various rules can be set appropriately using the sorting function.

[0061] For example, in the work information shown in Fig. 4, the picking order for multiple items P in the same area is determined in the order of the store numbers of the orderers. In other words, in the work information shown in Fig. 4, the picking order information is determined based on the orderers.

[0062] The work information generation unit 12d associates the generated work information with device information of the mobile device 20b used by the new worker and stores it in the storage unit 13. In addition, the work information generation unit 12d transmits the generated work information together with congestion information to the mobile device 20b of the new worker.

[0063] Furthermore, when the work information generating unit 12d acquires a start area indicating the area where the first picking work will be performed, which is input from the portable device 20b used by the new worker, the work information generating unit 12d updates the work information based on the start area.

[0064] New workers usually pick items in the order of the item numbers in the work information provided along with the congestion information. However, for some reason, it is possible that the area where the new worker starts picking may be different from the area instructed in the work information.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, the worker can input the start area from the smart device 30, thereby arbitrarily determining the area where work will start.

[0066] When the work information generation unit 12d receives the start area, it updates the work information so that the work instructions are to perform picking work in order starting from the area input as the start area. The work order for areas other than the start area and the picking order for multiple items P stored in the same area are determined by the same process as when the work information was first generated.

[0067] If the start area selected by the worker is the same as the area where the first picking work will be performed in the initially generated work information, the work information may not be updated to reduce calculation processing costs.

[0068] The work information generation unit 12d associates the work information updated in response to receiving the start area with the device information of the mobile device 20b used by the new worker and stores the updated work information in the storage unit 13. That is, the work information initially stored in the storage unit 13 is updated to work information based on the start area. The work information generation unit 12d also transmits the updated work information to the mobile device 20b of the new worker.

[0069] The work information generating unit 12d may generate work information only when it receives the start area, rather than when it receives the picking start request. In this case, when the congestion information generating unit 12c generates congestion information, only the congestion information is sent to the new worker's mobile device 20b. This reduces the computational processing cost.

[0070] Alternatively, a new worker may be prevented from selecting the start area. In this case, the work information generating unit 12d generates work information upon receiving a request to start a picking operation, and the work information is not updated thereafter.

[0071] Next, a procedure for identifying the location of a worker who is performing a picking operation will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the location identification process executed by the management device 10.

[0072] In step S101, the worker performing the picking operation uses the scanner 40 to scan the identification code 41 attached to the picked item P.

[0073] In step S102, the smart device 30 receives the identification information transmitted from the scanner 40.

[0074] In step S103, the smart device 30 transmits the device information and the identification information to the management apparatus 10.

[0075] In step S104, the management device 10 receives the device information and the identification information.

[0076] In step S105, the management device 10 (position specifying unit 12a) specifies the position of the worker who is performing the picking work, and stores the position in the storage unit 13.

[0077] Next, a procedure for generating task information to be provided to a new worker will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the task information generation process executed by the management device 10.

[0078] In step S201, a new worker who is about to start a picking operation inputs a request to start the picking operation into the smart device 30.

[0079] In step S202, the smart device 30 transmits a request to start the picking operation to the management apparatus 10.

[0080] In step S203, the management apparatus 10 receives the picking operation start request transmitted from the smart device 30.

[0081] In step S204, the management device 10 (position prediction unit 12b) predicts the transition of the positions of all workers during the picking work.

[0082] In step S205, the management device 10 (the congestion information generating unit 12c) generates congestion information.

[0083] In step S206, the management device 10 (the work information generating unit 12d) generates work information to be provided to the new worker, and stores it in the storage unit 13.

[0084] In step S207, the management apparatus 10 transmits the work information and the congestion information to the smart device 30.

[0085] In step S208, the smart device 30 receives the work information and congestion information transmitted from the management device 10.

[0086] In step S209, the new worker inputs the start area into the smart device 30.

[0087] In step S210, the smart device 30 transmits the start area to the management device 10.

[0088] In step S211, the management device 10 receives the start area transmitted from the smart device 30.

[0089] In step S212, the management device 10 (the work information generating unit 12d) updates the work information to be provided to the new worker and stores it in the storage unit 13.

[0090] In step S213, the management apparatus 10 transmits the updated work information to the smart device 30.

[0091] In step S214, the smart device 30 receives the updated task information transmitted from the management apparatus 10.

[0092] The main effects of the picking operation support system 100 configured as above will be summarized below.

[0093] The picking work support system 100 of this embodiment includes portable devices 20 (20a, 20b) used by multiple workers for picking work, a memory unit 13 that stores identification information contained in recognition codes 41 attached to each of multiple items P and the storage locations of each of the multiple items P in a storage area S, a position identification unit 12a that identifies the location of the worker performing the picking work based on the storage location of the item P for which the worker performing the picking work has obtained identification information from the recognition code 41 using the portable device 20a, a work information generation unit 12d that generates work information indicating the content of the picking work performed by the worker, a position prediction unit 12b that predicts the change in the location of the worker performing the picking work based on the work information and the location of the worker performing the picking work identified by the position identification unit 12a, and a congestion information generation unit 12c that generates congestion information for the storage area S based on the change in the location of the worker performing the picking work predicted by the position prediction unit 12b, and provides the congestion information to the portable device 20b used by a new worker who is about to start picking work.

[0094] According to this, the change in the location of the worker during the picking work is predicted, and congestion information for the storage site S is generated based on the predicted change in the location of the worker during the picking work. The congestion information is then provided to the portable device 20b used by a new worker who is about to start picking work. Therefore, an efficient work procedure can be determined before the new worker starts picking work.

[0095] In other words, the new worker can proceed with the work in an efficient manner that avoids congestion as much as possible. From the perspective of the workers already performing picking work, this means that the new worker is less likely to interfere with their work. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the overall work efficiency of the picking work of multiple workers can be improved.

[0096] The picking operation support system 100 provides operation information to the portable device 20b used by the new worker, as well as congestion information.

[0097] This allows new workers to decide on work procedures by taking into consideration not only congestion information but also the content of the work they will be doing.

[0098] The storage site S is divided into a plurality of areas, and the congestion information includes area information indicating an area among the plurality of areas with fewer workers.

[0099] This allows a new worker to determine the starting area where he or she will begin work after determining which areas have fewer workers.

[0100] The congestion information includes area order information that indicates a plurality of areas in order of the number of workers.

[0101] This allows a new worker to determine the starting area where he or she will begin work after determining the area with the fewest workers among multiple areas.

[0102] When the work information generation unit 12d acquires the start area indicating the area where picking work will be performed first, input from the portable device 20b used by the new worker, it updates the work information based on the start area and provides the updated work information to the portable device 20b used by the new worker.

[0103] This allows an efficient work procedure to be determined depending on the starting area where a new worker will begin work.

[0104] The work information includes picking order information that indicates the picking order of the multiple items P to be picked.

[0105] This allows the worker to perform the picking work in a picking order that is most efficient for the work.

[0106] The work information generating unit 12d generates picking order information based on at least one of the work completion deadline, the item name, and the orderer.

[0107] This allows the picking order to be determined according to the priority given to the situation.

[0108] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0109] For example, in the above embodiment, the management device 10 is the entity that executes the location identification process and the task information generation process. However, a configuration in which the smart device 30 is responsible for some or all of the functions of executing the location identification process and the task information generation process may also be adopted.

[0110] Furthermore, the various programs of the picking operation support system 100 may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 100 Picking work support system 10 Management device 11 Communications Department 12 CPU 12a Location identification part 12b Position prediction section 12c Congestion information generation unit 12d Work information generation section 13 Storage section 20 Mobile devices 20a Mobile devices 20b Mobile devices 30 Smart Devices 31 Communications Department 32 CPU 33 Storage section 34 Display 40 Scanner 41 Recognition Code 90 Network L worker P Goods S Workshop

Claims

1. Portable devices that are used by multiple workers for picking work, a storage unit that stores identification information of the recognition codes attached to each of a plurality of items and the storage locations of each of the plurality of items in a storage facility that is partitioned into a plurality of areas; a location identification unit that identifies the location of the worker who is performing the picking operation based on the storage location of the item for which the worker has obtained the identification information from the recognition code using the portable device; and a work information generation unit that generates work information indicating the details of the picking work to be performed by the worker; a position prediction unit that predicts a change in the position of the worker during the picking operation based on the work information and the position of the worker during the picking operation identified by the position identification unit; a congestion information generation unit that generates congestion information regarding the number of the workers present in each of the plurality of areas based on the change in the positions of the workers during the picking operation predicted by the position prediction unit; and Equipped with providing the congestion information to the mobile device; Picking work support system.

2. The picking operation support system according to claim 1, providing the work information and the congestion information to the mobile device; Picking work support system.

3. 3. The picking operation support system according to claim 1, The congestion information includes area information indicating an area among the plurality of areas where the number of workers is small. Picking work support system.

4. The picking operation support system according to claim 3, The congestion information includes area order information indicating the plurality of areas in order of the number of workers. Picking work support system.

5. The picking operation support system according to claim 3 or 4, the work information generation unit, upon acquiring a start area indicating the area where the picking work is to be first performed, input from the portable device, updates the work information based on the start area; The updated work information is provided to the mobile device. Picking work support system.

6. 6. A picking operation support system according to claim 1, The work information includes picking order information indicating a picking order for the plurality of items to be picked. Picking work support system.

7. The picking operation support system according to claim 6, The work information generation unit generates the picking order information based on at least one of a work completion deadline, an item name, and an orderer. Picking work support system.

8. A picking operation support method executed by a computer of a picking operation support system, a step of storing identification information of the recognition codes attached to each of the plurality of items and storage locations of each of the plurality of items in a storage facility partitioned into a plurality of areas; a step of identifying a location of the worker who is performing the picking operation based on the storage location of the item for which the worker has obtained the identification information from the recognition code using a portable device; predicting a change in the position of the worker during the picking operation based on work information indicating the content of the picking operation to be performed by the worker and the position of the worker during the picking operation; generating congestion information regarding the number of the workers present in each of the plurality of areas based on the predicted change in the positions of the workers during the picking operation; providing the congestion information to the mobile device; A picking operation support method including:

9. A program executable by a computer of a picking operation support system, a step of storing identification information of the recognition codes attached to each of the plurality of items and the storage locations of each of the plurality of items in a storage facility partitioned into a plurality of areas; a step of identifying a location of the worker who is performing the picking operation based on the storage location of the item for which the worker has obtained the identification information from the recognition code using a portable device; a step of predicting a change in the position of the worker during the picking operation based on work information indicating the content of the picking operation to be performed by the worker and the position of the worker during the picking operation; generating congestion information regarding the number of workers present in each of the plurality of areas based on the predicted changes in the positions of the workers during the picking operation; providing the congestion information to the mobile device; A program that causes the computer to execute the above.

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