Everything you need to know about order preparation methods

If you need to prepare an order in your warehouse, how do you do it?

You can simply take the first product you see on your way to the next one. Or maybe you're more organized and have an algorithm that takes into account many variables such as distance or product size. What if we told you there was a way to make your picking much more efficient? In this article, we'll look at what picking is and how to optimize your orders. 

What is picking?

In logistics, picking is a method of order preparation which involves taking the various items from several orders (pallets, parcels or consumer sales units) in an orderly fashion, at their location in the stock. The aim is to minimize the time spent by employees carrying out this task: pickers, loaders and unloaders (for example). Picking can therefore help you optimize your picking process, reduce costs and increase productivity.

The different types of picking

There are three main types of picking: manual, automated and hybrid.

• Manual picking is carried out by a human operator using a hand-held scanner or barcode reader to locate items in a warehouse. 
• Automated picking uses a robotic device to perform tasks such as transporting items between storage locations and presenting them for selection by an operator. 
• Hybrid picking combines manual and automated methods by having an operator scan items while they are moved by an automated device.

Picking stages : 

1. Picking is the process of taking items from storage areas and delivering them to customers. 
2. Preparation: order pickers are the people who pick items in warehouses or stores. 
3. The order is often known as a picking ticket, which indicates the items to be picked and their location. 
4. Order picking is an important part of supply chain management, especially when large numbers of items are stored in locations that are not always easily accessible by forklift trucks.

Order picking list

The picking list is the set of orders to be picked. It can bea physical document or an electronic file, containing all the orders to be picked from stock. The pick list can contain several different types of data: 

• The order number.
• Other identification data (manufacturer and/or customer).
• The quantity per item, so that you can see how many items need to be picked for each order.
• The location of each item in the stock, so that each item can be found where it belongs.
• A description of each item, so that it can be correctly identified when removed from its location.

If your company offers a delivery service, you'll certainly need to organize your logistics and set up a picking process. Make sure you think carefully about the most functional method for your company and your employees. An organized company always leads to a happy customer!

With this in mind, call on the services of Rolls Rapides for successful storage. This roll container and material handling trolley specialist is your best ally in acquiring the equipment you need to optimize your warehouse layout.