Direct answer. Goods-to-person (GTP) is an order-picking method in which an automated system, shuttle, stacker crane or robot, brings the product to the operator's fixed station, so they do not need to walk the aisles to find an item. It is the opposite of classic picking, known as "person-to-goods," where the operator walks the warehouse on foot.
The principle in brief
In a goods-to-person system, storage and the preparation station are physically separated: loads (bins, cartons, sometimes pallets) are stored in a dense, automated zone, then transported to one or more fixed stations where the operator picks the requested item without leaving their station. In France, the best-known example is the Skypod system from French unicorn Exotec, where shuttle robots move vertically within the racking to bring bins to the preparation stations.
This approach mainly aims to reduce operators' walking, often the most time-consuming part of classic picking, and to densify storage at height. It differs from pallet-transport robots such as AMRs or autonomous pallet trucks, which automate moving a load from point A to point B without necessarily reorganizing the entire preparation station.
This glossary entry is intentionally short: it defines the term for quick reference. For a full explanation, types of goods-to-person systems, comparison with classic picking, costs and return on investment, see our dedicated pillar article.
FAQ
What is the difference between goods-to-person and person-to-goods?
In goods-to-person, an automated system brings the product to the operator, who stays at a fixed station to prepare orders without moving. In person-to-goods (classic picking), it's the opposite: the operator walks the warehouse aisles to fetch each item to be prepared.
Does an autonomous pallet truck do goods-to-person?
Not directly: an autonomous pallet truck like our robot transports pallets from one point of the warehouse to another, without changing how the preparation station is organized. Goods-to-person instead refers to automated storage systems that bring the product to a fixed, dedicated preparation station.
Related terms
Stacker crane · Conveyor · AMR · Fleet manager · RaaS · Order picker (machine).
To learn more: our full guide to goods-to-person.
Automating your pallet flows
The autonomous pallet truck does not replace a goods-to-person installation, but can complement your flows by automating pallet transport between storage areas and preparation stations. To discuss this, discover the robot or contact us.
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