[IT] Picking for an efficient warehouse

Warehouse picking is the activity of selecting, picking, sorting and placing materials and goods from one loading unit to another, culminating in the preparation of orders for customers. A fundamental activity to ensure efficient logistics management, rapid product dispatch and a high degree of customer satisfaction .

The different methods used, the role of the picking operator, the interaction between picking and packing, are all factors required to ensure smooth logistics management.

What is Warehouse Picking

The term warehouse picking in the logistics context refers to the process of selecting and picking items from one or more storage locations in order to fulfil customer orders or replenish stock. It is one of the key activities in warehouse operations. Usually warehouse operators, known as pickers, use devices such as barcode readers or mobile terminals to identify the location of products and verify required quantities.

Picking is a key activity to ensure that customer orders are processed in a timely and efficient manner. Effective management of the picking process can help reduce errors, increase productivity and improve customer satisfaction.

In addition, proper management of warehouse picking is essential to maintain high service standards and establish a reliable reputation in the logistics industry.

The Role of the Picking Operator

The picking operator is a key figure in such a delicate process. He or she is responsible for:

• Identify items. He uses tools such as bar code readers or mobile terminals to identify the correct items to be picked. This ensures that the products selected are exactly those requested in the order.

• Picking itemsi. Once the articles have been identified, the operator goes to the designated shelves or storage areas to physically pick up the required articles. For this task, he/she may use forklifts, pallet trucks or other means to move the items, especially when heavy or bulky items are involved.

• Depositing items. This operation serves the handling of goods in the vicinity of the loading bays assigned to the carrier who will make the delivery or the packing zones, where the goods are repacked (if necessary) and labelled.

• Record and produce reports on their tasks. Picking operators may also be required to record details of picking tasks, such as the quantity of items picked, any missing or damaged items and other important data. This reporting helps monitor performance and identify any problems in the picking process.

It is clear that for this professional figure, accuracy, speed and attention to detail are crucial qualities, as any errors or shortcomings could negatively affect customer satisfaction and cause inefficiencies in the entire logistics process.

If you want to know more about optimising logistics processes, don’t miss our guide: Logistics 4.0 and Supply Chain Management: methods for optimising Lead Time and Inventory.

Picking activities: the link between Pick and Pack

Although picking and packing activities are distinct, they are deeply interconnected within the logistics process. Packor packing is thenext step after picking and involves the assembly and packing of items picked accurately for shipment .

Proper packaging is crucial to protect products during transport and ensure that they arrive intact and in accordance with customer expectations. But what does packing and who is the Packer?

The term packing is the English equivalent of the Italian word for packaging. A packer is therefore the packer, the person incharge of packing products and preparing them for shipment. The figure of the packer is just as important as that of the picking operator, since accurate packing is essential to protect products and ensure optimal presentation at the time of delivery.

Picking and storage: two interconnected and complementary phases for efficient logistics

Afurther aspect not to be underestimated for efficient management is the strong correlation between picking and storage.

Picking is highly dependent on the effectiveness of storage. A well-organised and structured warehouse facilitates the picking process, as it makes items easily available and accessible to operators. Conversely, when items are not properly stored or labelled, the picking process becomes slower and prone to errors.

The picking processalso influences storage. After the items have been picked, the stock value must be updated to reflect the remaining quantities. In addition, it is common practice in the warehouse to define dedicated picking areas (e.g. the ground floor of a rack) to facilitate the picking of goods. These locations contain the articles that can be easily picked by the picker. Higher locations, on the other hand, are intended to store reserves. Whenever the picking locations are emptied, movements should be organised to lower the stock and fill these locations.

To improve the efficiency of warehouse operations, it is therefore essential to optimise both picking and storage. This will require effective stock management, the use of automation and WMS (Warehouse Management System) technologies, as well as effective demand-driven planning of picking operations to minimisedowntime and operational costs.