Picking is one of the most basic and fundamental processes within the warehouse environment. However, whilst alone it is a simple function, picking relies heavily upon order profiling. Warehouse management systems, can help to determine an effective picking strategy for optimum routes within your facility, and should play a fundamental role in coordinating and controlling the storage and movement of your stock.

A few basic pick requirements exist within the warehouse – piece picking, case picking and pallet picking to name but a few; and a variety of equipment to choose from including different types of shelving, racking, conveyors and barcode scanners.

But how do you know you have chosen the most effective picking strategy?

Although warehouses differ in size, type, location and function, the basic principles are universal. Here we will review some of the more common picking strategies.

Perfect for picking inventory stored in fixed locations on static shelving or pallet racking; following a route along each aisle until the entire order is picked this strategy assigns picks for one order at a time, to a picker employee. Single Order Picking is very organised, so a great strategy to implement when looking to achieve efficiency with a consultant picking requirement throughout the day with little variation.

An advantageous method for picking multiple orders within the same SKU; managing high-throughput, small single-pick orders; Batch picking is perfect primarily for consolidating tasks amongst a combination of order lines.

Pick-By-Line associated with the grocery industry, this type of picking benefits mainly ambient FMCG stock and high value goods which require to be handled quickly due to the short product-life and high-cost.

Implements in high-throughput operations, zone picking is fundamentally used for preparing small orders with a restricted number of order lines and short delivery times. Employees are responsible for a designated zone and will only pick the items from this area upon receipt of an order.

Associated with managing orders line by line; multiple orders are grouped into small clusters referred to as ‘waves’. Warehouse environments looking to achieve a better streamlined strategy, opt for wave picking, to ensure orders are picked within collective waves, in one picking journey.

Determining the best configuration for your facility, should be rationalised against how and when orders are received, the method chosen to pick the required items, and any equipment utilises in the picking process. When selecting a picking strategy, it is important to remember that there is no one strategy to match everyone’s requirements perfectly.

Get in Touch with Advanced Handling & Storage

If you want to maximise your warehouse space through the use of second hand or new pallet racking to help improve your picking process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 0800 345 7088 or send an email to [email protected]

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