With the explosion in e-commerce, optimizing order preparation has become essential.
It's hard to optimize without knowing the company's pre-shipment picking phase. In France in 2021, e-commerce sales will total 112.2 billion euros, with over 41.6 million buyers. With a total of over one billion parcels, order-pickers have not been idle, and thinking about the order-picking process is no exception.
In fact, company logistics are evolving rapidly to adapt to market and environmental challenges. From pallets to order dispatch, from pallets to optimized picking systems, logistics is at the heart of all discussions.
What is picking?
Picking is the preparation of the parcel in the warehouse by the picker. He must prepare the shipment in his preparation zone, adding the right contents and the right label, all as quickly and efficiently as possible.
He is of course guided by a list, which can still be printed out, even though today most picking lists are available on a digital terminal, thanks to an ERP system or a dedicated e-commerce logistics application.
This is the stage before packing in the order dispatch process.
What are the different types of picking?
There are two main methods used today. The method chosen often varies according to the company's needs and resources.
Man-to-article picking
This is the method used when the operator moves through the warehouse aisles to assemble items in his cart for dispatch. It is divided into three categories:
- Pick and Pack" method: here, the picker simply collects the products listed on the order by moving around the warehouse. Once the products have been picked, they are taken to the packing area.
- Put to Light" method: for this method, the operator will have a cart with a screen at his disposal, enabling him to better visualize where the products are in the storage area, so as to pick them more quickly.
- Pick by Light" method: "Pick by Light" is the use of lights under the items to be retrieved, to guide the picker more effectively.
These are efficient methods, but they can quickly become tiresome for the teams in charge, even when optimization is thorough. The amount of moving around and the loads to be carried make it impossible to maximize safety for operators.
Order picking cart
Saving time and improving ergonomics is now possible with the order picking cart. At Rolls Rapides, we've created a range of customizable models to suit your needs.
Article-to-man picking
The advent of robotics in logistics is a major step forward in the optimization of shipping processes. The management of the picking stage has undergone a metamorphosis! Robots take the shelves to an order-picking desk, where the operator simply picks the required item. The robot then returns the shelf to the Shelving , and so on.
It's an extremely efficient method with multiple advantages. Warehouse space is saved by 30% thanks to the rearrangement of shelves, and pickers no longer have to walk or carry goods. What's more, once the system has been set up, it can be easily scaled to make order picking even more efficient.
Today, most large companies use this method, which relies on good data management by computer software, while ensuring optimum security for order pickers. It responds to the need for ever-faster, cheaper delivery without loss of quality, which can be a real headache in the logistics sector. All this while taking into account the well-being of operators and reducing the drudgery of work.
Calling on Rolls Rapide
Rolls Rapide specializes in the sale, rental and repair of Rolls and industrial trucks. With over thirty years' experience in the field, we offer both new and used equipment. When you call on this SME, you're guaranteed to benefit from a complete service package.
