The picking process: definition and optimization
To boost productivity and improve logistics management within companies today, logistics picking is essential. Indeed, with the rise of e-commerce and the Drive, the proper management of your parcels and stock depends on the optimization of your storage system. Read this article as a guide to find out all about optimizing the picking process in warehouses.
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What is the picking process?
Pick is an English word meaning "to pick". As this word indicates, the picking process is the moment when the operator searches the warehouse for the items in one or more customer orders, with the aim of putting them together. This technique is one of the optimum solutions for facilitating logistics, whatever the density of warehouses. The aim is to prepare packages for dispatch. Picking's main role is to bring operators closer to the packing area to retrieve the items they need. As a result, picking minimizes the need for operators to move around the warehouse.
All things considered, the picking process is an important part of order preparation and stock management. Picking is a solution that facilitates handling and reduces product preparation time. It rationalizes and optimizes the various logistical tasks involved. As a result, operators gain in productivity and improve the quality of their services and their company's brand image.
What are the different types of picking?
There are two main types of picking. These are warehouse picking and point-of-sale picking. Warehouse picking involves preparing goods or articles in a warehouse before dispatching them to the point of delivery. This method is designed for e-tailers who don't have a sales outlet to store their products.
Also known as in-store picking, point-of-sale picking involves preparing products or orders directly in-store. In the in-store picking process, operators are responsible for collecting products from stock or shelves, and dispatching them directly to their destination via Click and Collect or a Drive service.
What tips should you follow to optimize the picking process?
To optimize picking, it's essential to follow a few key recommendations. To begin with, you need to reduce the length of your routes as much as possible. To achieve this, you can use the ABC method or the FIFO method. You must limit load breaks, which can present a risk of loss or damage to goods, by setting up picking paths. It's also in your interest to optimize product accessibility.
To perfect the picking process, you also need to use storage units. You can choose storage units according to stock rotation or item density. What's more, you can optimize your picking with the help of specialized software. In short, logistics picking plays an essential role in e-commerce parcel and order processing.
