The different order picking methods

Order picking, order preparation, extraction of goods, 3 different terms to describe the same action which consists in preparing an order by collecting the products stored in a warehouse. The picker refers to a preparation order which lists the nature and quantity of the products ordered, he picks the items and groups them together so that the order can then be shipped.

Different picking methods can be used:

Pick and pack

Order picking method consisting in filling the shipping container(s) (parcel, box, pallet, ...) as the picking sequence progresses. This method has the advantage of allowing the recording of the collected articles and to have at the end of the picking a packing list detailing very exactly the nature and the quantity of articles of each container.

Pick and sort

Order picking method consisting in preparing several orders simultaneously. Equipped with a picking cart including various deposit racks, the operator picks the article and deposits it in the rack allocated to the order concerned. At the end of the preparation phase, the racks are collected in order to put each order in a package (=collating).

Pick to belt

Order picking method consisting of picking products, then placing them on a conveyor to transport them to a sorting area.

Pick by voice, voice picking, voice order picking

Order picking method in which the picker is led by audio messages. The system tells the picker by voice where to go in the warehouse and what item in what quantity to pick. Throughout the process, the picker confirms to the system that he has completed the requested tasks.

Pick then pack

Order picking method in which items are first picked and then put into shipping containers (packages, boxes, pallets, etc.) only at the end of the picking process. In general, the packing area, also called packaging area, is separate from the picking area, which is the warehouse itself.

Pick to light

Order picking method requiring the use of dedicated equipment consisting of guiding the operator with light signals: The locations of each product are equipped with a light that lights up to indicate to the operator that an article must be picked there. This method is only feasible when a very limited number of small products are to be processed.

Batch picking

Order picking method consisting in gathering several preparation vouchers classified according to the location of the ordered items. The items of the different orders are picked in a single passage in the warehouse. A variant of "pick and sort".

Wave picking

Order picking method that consists of grouping orders according to common logistical criteria. This order grouping criteria can be: by nature of the items, by end customer, by type of carrier, by volume or size of the load, by shipping time, etc.

Zone Picking

Order picking method consisting in dividing the warehouse into precise zones to which specific pickers are dedicated. When an order preparation involves several zones, the products are first picked in one zone and then the order is transmitted from zone to zone until the order is completely prepared. This approach relies on the specialization of operators to increase their efficiency.