When was the last time you evaluated your order picking strategy? If you've expanded operations or changed up your SKU mix, you're probably overdue.
If you’ve never changed your order picking method, this article is definitely a must-read. We’ll explain the five most popular order picking methods – plus a new contender – so you can decide which one is best for your operation.
For those who are 100% certain they're using the optimal order picking strategy, check out our article about How to Improve Order Picking Speed and Accuracy.
Also known as single order picking, discrete picking is the most common order picking method. The associate simply walks around the warehouse picking one item at a time.
With batch picking, one associate brings cases of different products to a packing station and assembles multiple orders at once. Larger facilities may utilize wave packing, which is a form of batch picking.
The main difference between batch and wave picking is the number of associates involved in each batch. With wave picking, multiple associates bring cases to the packing station from different parts of the facility. Orders are grouped together in waves to ensure timely processing in a large facility.
This method is a combination of discrete picking and batch picking. When cluster picking, an associate pushes a cart through the facility picking up products for multiple orders.
Also known as “pick and pass,” zone picking is a combination of cluster and wave picking (kind of sort of). Like wave picking, associates stay in a designated area. They also push a cart around and gather products for multiple orders at a time, similar to cluster picking.
What’s different about zone picking is that the cart gets passed from one associate to another. For example, let’s say your facility handles apparel. The WMS identifies multiple orders that require men’s athletic socks, undershirts and/or underwear. The first picker, based in the sock section, picks all the socks. Then, they pass the cart to their coworker in the men’s undershirt section. That associate adds all the undershirts, then delivers the cart to the person in the underwear section. The underwear picker completes the order and takes the cart to a packing station. Meanwhile, the sock and undershirt workers continue to fill other orders.
Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) are an effective way to improve order picking accuracy and speed. If you’ve looked into robots in the past and decided they weren’t a good fit, take a moment to watch the video below.
Associates no longer have to follow slow-moving carts, the robots bring orders to your workers (kind of like zone picking). They can also bring items for put-away. Locus Robotics has a variety of models so you can use your existing containers and shipping cartons.
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Whether you have a single building, an outdoor facility or a multi-location operation, we can help you find ways to save money and improve productivity. We can help you choose the best picking strategy, optimize picking routes and decide if robots are right for you.
Let us know what problems you’re trying to solve or what goals you’d like to achieve. We’ll provide solutions in a zero-pressure free consultation.
To take advantage of our offer, contact us online, by phone at (800) 226-2345 or in person at one of our eleven locations throughout Georgia and Florida
GEORGIA: Albany, Macon, Midland, Valdosta
FLORIDA: Jacksonville (2 locations), Ocala, Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, Winter Haven
Further Reading
How to Improve Order Picking Speed and Accuracy
Need More Warehouse Space? Don’t Move. Do This First
Take the Guesswork out of Material Handling