pick list
picking using a pick list
The document-based picking process of manual picking is carried out using picking lists. These are pieces of paper that provide the picker with precise information to locate the desired item(s) and pick the correct number.
Table of contents
definition
Pick slips - also called picking lists or packing slips - derived from "to pick" from the English for "to select" are slips of paper that contain all the information required for a picking order. Detailed information on the desired items is then, for example, the exact location (warehouse, aisle, shelf, compartment, box, etc.) or the number of goods to be picked.
The document-based, manual process is still widely used. It is very flexible and is characterized by a very low level of automation - so the process is also convincing in terms of complexity and costs, as it is very simple and requires minimal investment costs. However, this results in an increased error rate, which should actually be kept as low as possible when picking.
Mission
Pick lists are used for manual picking. The pick list contains detailed information for the picker - storage location, article number, article description, quantity.
The process is as follows.
- The picker receives the pick list and records the information provided on it
- Finding the goods and taking out the correct quantity of items to be picked is done using the instructions on the picking list
- The items are brought to the shipping station, where they are assigned to the corresponding customer orders and shipped
Contents
A pick sheet contains all information relevant to a work order. It includes the following information:
- order number
- article name, article number
- Storage location: in the form of references to the warehouse, aisle, shelf, compartment, number or letter, etc.
- quantity of items to be picked
The pick list may also contain additional information, such as the manufacturer, weight, price or customer data.
advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of picking with a pick list are as follows.
- Simple and flexible
- Cost-effective
- No long training period
- Lots of freedom for warehouse staff
- No maintenance required
There are also disadvantages to this type of order picking.
- Outdated procedure
- High error rate
- No possibility to forward inventory corrections directly to a corresponding system
- Only one hand free for picking
Electronic pick lists
Receipt-based picking slips are becoming less and less important in companies' picking processes. In order to keep the error rate as low as possible and for other efficiency reasons, many companies are switching to computer-aided and data-based systems. The following systems are used as alternatives today.
Pick-by-Scan
- A mobile handheld computer - with an integrated 1D or 2D scanner - helps the picker to carry out his orders.
- Order pickers are equipped with a headset and are informed via a voice-controlled system which goods can be found in which place and in what quantity and which should be picked up.
- At the picking station for each item, the picker is informed via a display how many items are to be picked. He can confirm the picking using an acknowledgement button. Inventory changes are thus transmitted in real time.
- The picker is shown all the information he needs to locate and pick the desired item via data glasses.
