In a warehouse setting, the term ‘picking’ refers to the collection of orders for dispatch from the shelves or racks so that they can be processed. It represents the backbone of any fulfilment centre, making up more than 50% of everyday operations and 55% of operating costs.
Therefore having efficient picking systems in place is essential and there is more than one type of system that warehouses use. In this piece we will take a look at the most widely used systems so that you can determine which is best for your warehouse.
Single order picking
This is the simplest type of picking system and a very easy one for anyone to grasp. For that reason, it is used a lot in warehouses. Single order picking sees workers going along the racks or shelves of the warehouse picking individual items to fulfil orders as they come in. Under this type of system, orders are picked at all times of the working day, not at specifically scheduled times.
The big plus points of single order picking are that flexibility, how easy to understand and implement it is and how it enables smaller orders to be fulfilled quickly. There are downsides to it as well though.
The main one is its overall inefficiency, because workers spend a lot of time walking between different parts of the warehouse retrieving single orders by hand.
Batch picking
A batch picking system will involve a single picker collecting a batch of several orders at one time. It is most often used for orders that include more than one item but not large volumes – say four items or less – and when the items in question are not large or heavy.
It offers the advantage of fewer trips to the storage parts of the warehouse for workers compared with single order picking. That will save your business time and your workers energy, leading to greater productivity.
The system is generally applied by creating one window for orders during each picking shift.
Multi-batch picking
This is designed to cut back on picking times even further by enabling workers to pick the necessary items to fulfil multiple orders in a single trip. It is used when the scheduled orders include items stored in different parts of the warehouse. Strong steel picking trolleys with several tiers will be needed for workers to be able to transport all of these items, but it reduces picking times considerably.
Zone picking
Under this system your warehouse will be split into separate zones, each of which will be clearly demarcated. Then the workers responsible for picking are assigned to one of these zones and collect only items that are stored within them.
Each worker will reference a picking list to find out which items are scheduled to be picked and processed that are located within their zones. The system operates by completing picking for each zone one at a time, with items being passed on and then packed at a central station. A zone picking system involves a single scheduling period per picking shift.
It means a lot less moving about for workers, as they only pick items in their designated areas, so it can highly efficient. It will be ideal if your warehouse stores very varied products, as that will make it easier to divide them into zones.
Cluster picking
This is another system designed to enable accurate and efficient picking of multiple orders in one trip. A worker will move through the warehouse picking items and then putting them into separate containers based on what order they are part of.
Cluster picking saves time and labour during picking by avoiding repeated trips, but that is not its only advantage. It also takes away the requirement for sorting during the packing stage, because pickers do this while collecting the items.
A downside of this type of picking strategy is that quite complex warehouse management systems will be required to schedule and assign clusters correctly and make it run smoothly.
Wave picking
Wave picking is a system that is most often used by very large storage and distribution centres that have to cope with frequent high volume orders. It works by dividing up pending orders into sets referred to as ‘waves.’ This division is based on things like the date for delivery, the type of order, frequency of order or the location of the customer.
Picking staff collect items from different parts of the warehouse, and these are then moved on to be sorted and packed as separate dispatches. Each individual will be assigned a particular wave that they are responsible for collecting.
Picking is aided by having the right equipment as well as the right system. At Steely Products, we provide tubular steel picking trolleys manufactured on site and available in custom designs. Contact us using the form below.
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