A warehouse picking list (or pick list) is an essential document for streamlining order preparation.
Picking is undeniably one of the logistics operations that demands exceptional organization and precision. Mastering this process is crucial for maintaining a competitive supply chain and ensuring that orders are delivered accurately and within the promised timeframe to customers.
To facilitate this process, operators rely on a pick list. But what should this list include? Can software enhance its efficiency? This article will clarify it all.
Defining Picking Lists
A picking list is an internal document that provides all the necessary instructions for a warehouse operator to prepare an order.
Typically, a standard picking list comprises:
- Shipping Data: Company name, order number, date, operator code or data, warehouse area, shipment type (standard, urgent, fragile, etc.), and dispatch number.
- Product Information: Aisle number, rack or shelf location, storage level, product descriptions and internal codes, required quantity, and remaining SKUs after picking.
- Comments and Validation: A space for observations (e.g., damaged goods) and three signature boxes for the operator, the receiving employee, and the person responsible for organizing the dispatch.
Types of Picking Lists
Picking lists can vary slightly based on several factors, including order fulfillment methods and product quantities. The most common types include:
- Discrete Picking List: Lists products for a single order, where the operator picks items and moves them to the dispatch area.
- Batch Picking List: Reflects products for multiple orders, which the operator gathers in a single run. These items must be sorted in a consolidation area before dispatch.
The type of picking list is closely related to different order fulfillment methods.
Picking Lists and the Importance of a WMS
Picking lists can be distributed in printed or digital formats. To automate their creation, a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is essential.
The WMS generates these lists, whether on paper or digitally, guiding operators to prepare orders accurately and efficiently. Upon receiving a customer order, the WMS automatically creates the picking list, showing the operator the necessary aisle, rack number, storage level, and quantity of items to pick.
When using scanners instead of paper, the lists appear directly on the operators' screens, providing step-by-step guidance for picking each product. Each list is accompanied by barcode readers to ensure that every action is executed correctly.
Furthermore, the WMS assigns a number to the container where the items will be stored until dispatch. It also allows for manual adjustments and the addition of comments as needed. The software organizes order preparation based on factors like warehouse layout, shipping priority, picking methods, and the number of operators involved.
With this information, operators can start picking using order pickers, placing items into the designated unit load for distribution while noting the remaining units on the racks. After completing the route, operators record any observations and deliver the signed picking list to the person responsible for preparing the shipment.
A WMS significantly optimizes the process of creating and executing the picking list, ensuring fast and error-free order preparation. Once the customer order is entered, the system automatically informs the operator that an order is ready for preparation. Using a radiofrequency scanner, an order picker, and a specific unit load, the worker follows the software's instructions.
As the operator picks the products, they scan the barcodes to confirm the operation with the radiofrequency scanner.
Conclusion: The Fundamental Role of Picking Lists in an Efficient Warehouse
To maintain an optimized supply chain operating at peak performance, it is vital that picking operations are executed accurately and swiftly. Relying on effective picking lists can greatly enhance the efficiency of warehouse operators, making their work easier and more effective.