These days there are hundreds of order-picking methods available for warehouse managers but Batch picking is one of the most reliable order-picking strategies used.
For better planning for custom order picking or batch picking, finding the picking option suitable for each business is important. Batch picking improves picking speed by correctly putting multiple similar orders into one place. It makes operations more profitable.
In this article, we will see what batch picking is, how it works, and how it benefits manufacturing businesses.
What Do You Mean by Batch Picking?
Batch picking or batching is an order-picking method that collects similar orders into one pick instead of multiple picks. It is faster than single-order picking as it manages multiple orders at a time.
Batching lets pickers visit the same location for many orders, saving time. A single picker can collect multiple orders, increasing productivity and reducing travel time.
Batch Picking Explained
A batch can group up to 20 similar orders, allowing pickers to complete many orders in one trip. Some orders might fall on the pick route or at the same place. The warehouse and order management systems help find suitable pick routes and batch orders into similar groups.
Batching reduces the need for workers to move constantly for individual orders. Batching allows workers to reach locations faster. Once orders pickers meet the order demand, workers sort orders for packing in the packing areas.
How Does Batch Picking Work?
With warehouse management systems, batch picking becomes a simple process. Here is how it works:
1. Create Picking Lists
The picking list includes all orders for one pickup. Managers can manually create them or use systems for speed.
2. Assign Pickers
Pickers get their pick list and collect all the tools they need to complete the picking. They need carts, mobile scanners, and other equipment.
3. Pick the Orders
Some warehouses let pickers use carts, while others require direct box placement. Workers use mobile code scanners to keep track of each order they pick.
4. Pack and Ship the Orders
Pickers bring orders to the packing station, pack them, and then sort them for delivery. After completing orders at a packing station, they pick the next batch.
Batch Picking Benefits
A business that maintains long-term success simplifies order picking and makes it fast and accurate. Customer satisfaction depends on timely and correct order delivery. Some benefits of picking are:
1. Efficiency
Batching is more efficient as it manages multiple orders at a time. It saves pickers from returning to the same place for each order pickup separately.
2. Faster
Fewer picks with multiple order picks make batching a faster order-picking method.
3. Less Travel Time
Batch picking strategy helps workers to pick many orders on the same route and deliver them at the same picking station. It reduces travel time and allows workers to save time.
4. Less Stress for Workers
Handling each order individually is tiring, as workers repeat routes for similar orders. Batching helps in reducing stress on workers to make the process more manageable.
Examples of batch-picking
To better understand the batching process, consider this example. Imagine pickers are picking up customer A's and customer B's orders.
Customer A
- 60 AAA Batteries packages
- 12 Garden planters
- 20 LED copper wire lights
Customer B
- 20 AAA Batteries Packages
- 5 Hand trowel
- 10 Garden planters
Instead of picking items separately, a picker can group 80 AAA Batteries into one cart tote.
Next, the pickers move to collect five hand trowels in another tote on the same cart. Then, the picker puts 20 LED Copper wire lights in another tote on the same cart.
As garden planters are oversized and will not fit in the same cart, pickers bring the cart to the sorting area and then pick 22 garden planters on the next trip.
This repetition of process, which makes a picker move through the same path multiple times, is time-consuming and can slow down the shipment. With batch picking, warehouse workers can manage picking with ease and more efficiently.
Batch Picking: Case Study
Batching can greatly cut costs and make warehouse management more sustainable. Imagine a pharmacy business having 15 retail stores with a central warehouse. It won't be easy to collect each order and ship it individually.
With the help of a warehouse management system, batch picking can help workers sort and ship orders more quickly. The pharmacy will be able to cut workers' time travel and increase the pick-up rate. And the company will manage to cut labor costs even after huge productivity gains.
Batch Picking and Automation
Batch picking can improve accuracy and speed, but with automatic systems, businesses can improve picking capabilities and faster picking processes. Here are some warehouse automation types that simplify order picking:
- Collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots
- Automated storage and retrieval systems
- Automated batch-picking carts
Boost Batch Picking With Technology
With the help of technology, batch picking can help manage the order cycle and automate all manual processes to reduce labor costs. Technology can help warehouse managers track inventory and stockouts and motivate them to offer timely order pickup.
Here's some automated warehouse software to help businesses process orders timely:
- Order management systems
- Warehouse management systems
- Inventory management systems
Improve Batch Picking With TranZact
TranZact makes order pickup easier and more worker-friendly. Software tools can simplify manual tasks in warehouse management. With TranZact, experience how more worry-free operations can be and how batching can help the business become more profitable.
FAQs on Batch Picking
1. What are the costs and benefits of batching?
The cost and benefit of batching depend on how complex the management system is. With more automated systems and machines, the cost of batching is more expensive.
2. What is the zone-picking method?
The zone-picking method is where multiple pickers pick up different items in the same order. Each worker is assigned a zone for order pickups.
3. What is the formula for order-picking accuracy?
The order picking accuracy formula equals the number of accurate orders received divided by the total number of orders picked multiplied by 100.
4. What do you mean by batch-picking strategy?
Batch picking strategy is a method to collect orders in batches by pickers to ease the process of order picking in warehouses. It includes two things: one is picking processes, and another is picking locations.
5. What are some batch-picking advantages?
Batch-picking has many advantages including a time and cost-practical approach. These advantages include:
- It saves travel time and labor costs.
- It is efficient and faster.
6. What do you mean by batch picking vs. wave picking?
Batch picking is a method in which pickers use different carts to pick up orders in batches. In wave picking, pickers pass on these carts at separate workstations, just like a wave.
Wave picking is helpful for businesses to maximize their resources and increase order fulfillment per day. While with batch picking, multiple order fulfillment is easy.
7. What do you mean by batch picking vs. cluster picking?
Batch picking and cluster picking are two different methods of order picking. In cluster picking, companies use separate bins to complete multiple orders in a single trip. In batching, orders are picked up in batches to save multiple trips.
8. Is batch picking solution suitable for large warehouses?
Yes. Batch picking is ideal for large warehouses with daily bulk orders.
