Order preparation (picking) is defined as the process by which products are selected and collected from the shelves and aisles, so that they are later organized and conditioned to be packed (packing) and sent to their respective buyers. Due to its importance, order preparation is one of the processes that requires the most time and dedication within the logistics center.
Phases and stages of order preparation
1. Management: consists of collecting all the information related to the orders, and organizing the key resources to carry out the preparation of orders (forklifts, pallets, etc).
2. Collection: it is the journey that the operator takes to select the products to be managed; the route goes from the area of operations to the place where the goods are.
3. Extraction: once the operator locates the product, he extracts the requested quantity and places it in the internal product transport system that is implemented (roll, pallet, etc).
4. Verification: the operator returns to the area of operations and verifies that he has extracted the correct products.
5. Preparation: shrink-wrapping begins, including the necessary documentation such as weighing and labeling the package, for its subsequent transfer to the place of dispatch where its destination route will be specified and the delivery service will proceed.
Order preparation methods
The operators must manage the goods and must do so in the most optimal and efficient way, for this there are several categories of order preparation methods, which are the following:
Order preparation methods according to the address of the merchandise
- “Man-product” order preparation method: it is the most traditional system, the operator walks to where the products are to select and collect them.
- Order preparation method "product-man": consists of the use of machines, systems and automated technologies that are responsible for collecting the products and taking them to the operator.
- Method of preparing orders "cross docking": once the goods are received, they are dispatched directly, without being stored for long periods of time.
Order preparation methods according to shelves
- At ground level: Products are located on a single level that is on the ground.
- At low levels: the products are on a shelf at the height of the operator.
- At medium levels: the products are no more than 4 meters high.
- At high levels: the shelves are full of products, regardless of their height.
Methods of preparation of orders according to their collection
- Order preparation method "order to order": it is the traditional way, in which the operator looks for each product in the warehouse and prepares it for shipment.
- Order preparation method "group picking": it is divided into two stages, first the operator looks for all the products and groups them in the picking area. Once he has all of them, he packs them individually to send them to their respective destination.
- Order preparation method "zone picking": orders are processed based on their location in the warehouse and several orders are prepared by groups at the same time.