What is order picking?

What is order picking?

Let’s face it… the world cannot live without goods, from the food we eat to the products we use daily to function.  This only happens by moving goods we want and need from one location to another.  With today's growing demand for more products... the number of SKU's naturally increase.  The moment goods are brought into a warehouse and set up for breakdown in packages and pieces, the focus then narrows down to order picking.

Why is order picking so important?

Within the 4 walls of the warehouse operation, the most costly and most labor intensive actively goes into order picking (typically 60-70% of the labor).  Imagine the savings if you can cut 40-50% of the labor costs!  As warehouse fulfillment operations are forced to add more products into their facility, the only way to gain a competitive advantage is by cutting costs and increasing productivity.       

The order picking problem:

As the consumer demands for more versions of products, the number of variety and SKUs grow within the warehouse, this not only means less space, but more to organize.  The biggest challenge for any order fulfillment operation is then to answer the question: How do I increase order picking productivity, reduce labor costs and reduce errors?” 

Lets take a look at common order picking methods:

Discrete picking is the most basic form of all order picking methods and is typical for low volume fulfillment operations.  The order picker starts with one order and completes the entire order.  This order fulfillment process may require the order picker to walk throughout a majority of the warehouse.  Items picked are then placed into totes or shipping cartons on the pick cart.

Pick and pass order picking is generally the next type of picking as the volume of orders increase.  SKUs/ pick items are grouped into “zones” to try to minimize walking distance for order pickers.  When an order picker has completed their picks for the order or tote in their area, they pass it to the picker in the next area.  As a result, order pickers become familiar with their designated areas and therefore become more productive with their pick rates. 

Batch picking is fulfilling multiple orders all in one trip.  Orders are downloaded by order picking software that consolidates all orders and optimizes picking.  Order pickers then pick the entire order and sort all orders into a specific tote or shipping carton. 

The process of combining picks from several orders allows faster order picking and reduction in travel time.  Almost any warehouse fulfillment system can be converted to batch picking.  This includes paper picking, pick to light, pick-by-light, pick to voice, bar code scan, and carousel pick systems.
There are various ways in which a pick may be communicated to a picker:

• a simple paper pick list,
• an RF terminal
• a list of labels that list an item's location -one per item being picked
• voice picking system
• pick to light system
• automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). There are many types, but the basics are mini-load, mid-load and unit load. Each system is used to deliver totes, cases, cartons, pallets or inventory with unique physical profiles. Mini-Loads usually range up to 1000 lbs per load; Mid-Load up to 2000 lbs per load; Unit Load for pallets up to 5000 lbs per pound.

What is the best order picking technology on the market?

While, we would like to simply say that FastFetch order fulfillment systems is the best order picking system on the market, we’d like to explain why we think it is so.
FastFetch is a 3-in-1 order picking technology that combines voice directed picking, pick to light, and bar code scan picking.  In side by side comparisons, it is obvious that:

• FastFetch is 2 to 3 times faster than other voice directed picking technology
• FastFetch batches orders to reduce pick times (whereas typical voice directed picking doesn’t)
• FastFetch downloads “next best order” to replace offloaded order (whereas typical voice directed picking doesn’t)
• FastFetch constantly is optimizing picks to reduce travel distance and increase picking productivity (whereas typical voice directed picking doesn’t)

For more information on FastFetch order picking systems, visit our website at www.fastfetchusa.com or call us at (714) 496-4499.  We look forward to serving the growing needs of your order picking fulfillment operation and help you gain the competitive advantage you want and need.

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