Picking

Picking is the outbound start point: pull the right items, in the right quantity, from the right bin, for the right order.

Pick list

Each customer order generates a pick list:

• Order number + customer.
• Lines: SKU, lot / serial if required, quantity, suggested bin.
• Pick sequence — walking order that minimises travel.
• Priority — picked first if urgent.

Pick strategies

• Discrete — one order per pick list. Simple, higher travel per unit.
• Batch — multiple orders combined into one pick pass, sorted into order-specific totes during packing. Efficient for small-item pick.
• Zone — the warehouse is zoned; each picker handles their zone; orders consolidate after.
• Wave — release a batch of orders together (e.g. every 2 hours); waves get planned pick paths.

Per-warehouse / per-customer configurable.

On the handheld

For each line:

1. App directs picker to the bin.
2. Picker scans the bin barcode (location check).
3. Picker scans the SKU (product check).
4. Picker enters quantity (or scans each for serial-controlled).
5. Confirm.

Scan validation prevents picks from the wrong bin or wrong SKU — high accuracy baseline.

Lot / batch / serial

• Lot / batch — tracked for food, pharma, anything with expiry. FIFO or FEFO enforced. Manual override requires reason.
• Serial — each unit scanned individually (high-value electronics). Picked serials record in the ledger for warranty traceability.

Shortages

If a bin has less than expected, the picker records the short and the system:

1. Suggests an alternate bin holding the same SKU.
2. If no alternate, marks the line short and alerts the planner.
3. Triggers a cycle count on the suspect bin.

Productivity

Pick rate (lines/hour, units/hour) is tracked per picker. Dashboards on /app/warehouse/performance.

Cancellations

If an order is cancelled mid-pick, the pick list is suspended. Picked items stay in the tote / cart and are returned to stock via a putaway task.