Throughput time distribution analysis for a one‐block warehouse

We develop discrete time models for the throughput time distribution of orders arriving to a one‐block warehouse. The models accommodate single‐ or multi‐line orders, and we show how to use them to determine the optimal batch size, given a desired probability of on‐time order fulfillment. Experiments suggest that the optimal batch size is slightly higher than one would choose if minimizing average throughput time.