PICKING AND PACKING: CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTIONS, EXAMPLES - DUDAS - 2025

The picking and packing are the processes used to meet customer orders, where you should use the least amount of steps in order to have better clearance process and fulfill orders the delivery of products. The dispatch process can make or break a business. As e-commerce develops, so will customer expectations.

The picking and packing process begins when a customer order is received at the warehouse. Immediately, you select the required products to complete the order and quickly pack these items to schedule delivery.

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Many companies use automated warehouse management systems, which can quickly identify the location of products within the warehouse and allow the items needed to complete an order to be quickly collected.

Picking and packing are an essential part of the order fulfillment process. The speed and precision with which this stage of the process is completed plays a key role when it comes to reducing costs, improving efficiency and ensuring customer satisfaction.

characteristics

Picking is the process of selecting items stored in inventory that will be included in a customer's order. It is the first thing that happens after the customer places the order and the warehouse receives it.

After picking, the order is packed, which involves packing all the items in the order and preparing them for shipment to the customer.

Discreet picking

This method involves a single order picker picking a single order, one item at a time.

In most cases, there is only one order per shift, so the order can be picked at any time during the day.

Lot picking

In this picking method, an order preparer picks a batch of orders, all at the same time, one item at a time.

This method works well when there are multiple orders that have the same item, because the order picker needs to travel only once to the picking location for that particular item.

By reducing travel time, batch picking increases productivity and only requires one order scheduling per shift. Works best with small orders and when the physical dimensions of each item are small.

Wave picking

Similar to discrete picking, wave picking involves an order picker picking an order, one item at a time.

The main difference is that for wave picking there is an order schedule, while for discrete picking it does not.

Zone picking

In this method, order pickers are assigned to a specific zone, physically defined within the picking area.

Each order preparer is responsible for picking all the items located within their zone for each order.

Features

-Picking

With picking, the ordered items are collected to deliver them to the packing and shipping department.

When picking, care must be taken to select the correct size, color and type item from hundreds of shelves and containers. Products must be handled with care to avoid damage when using a cart to carry products to the packing area.

-Packing

Through packing, the requested items are inspected, measured, weighed and packaged. It takes mathematical ability and strong spatial skills to excel in the packing process, which is the packing and labeling of boxes to be shipped around the world.

Packers must determine what size and type of box to use. Filling a box that is too small for the items being packed can cause wrinkles, damage, or breakage.

-Optimize functions

Bestsellers closer

Place frequently carried items closer to the packing station, that way it won't take too long to try to find them.

related products

The picking process will be simplified by putting related items, such as shampoo and conditioner, or toothbrushes and toothpaste, together.

Organize

Products should be kept at an easy-to-locate level, perhaps alphabetically or otherwise, so preparers instantly know where to look.

Packaging for breakables

Presentation is a significant part of the packing process. However, if the item arrives broken that won't do much good. Boxes filled with bubble wrap and padded or non-padded envelopes will allow safe transport.

You should try to package the products in boxes with an additional space so that they have a space that allows additional protection.

Take advantage of the space

Possibly larger boxes could optimize the safe shipping of products, but you have to be sensible. A huge box for a small item will only increase transportation costs, limiting the company's profits.

It's best to keep the packaging as small as possible, as cardboard waste can become an environmental concern, especially if it is not recycled properly.

Examples

Picking example

A beverage distribution company must get a truck ready with all soda orders to begin delivering them.

For this, the picking process must be started by locating the shelves, sections or production lines where the required soft drink packages are located.

Subsequently, the quantity of these packages must be gathered that allows the island of the truck to be filled with the batch that makes up the order.

That is, this is done over and over again until the order is completed. A bottle of soda is part of the order, as is a package, a batch of packages, and a shelf of soda, which together complete the final order.

Packing example

Every article needs a container, this container being the main means of presentation or care of the product. Then comes the packaging that will serve to provide security during the transfer of the merchandise and that would be like your second container.

Later comes the packaging, which are normally boxes, where many identical items are grouped with their respective containers and packaging in order to be mobilized in a faster, easier and much safer way.

Finally they are put on loading pallets, which could be one-tenth of a final order or a batch. This activity repeated several times is what is called packing one within another.

References

1. Bray Solutions (2019). Picking and packing… What is it? Taken from: braysolutions.com.
2. Dan Scalo (2019). Methods for Improving Your Picking and Packing Process. Taken from: ecommerce-nation.com.
3. Marketing Tips (2019). Definition of Picking and Packing with examples. Taken from: Equiposdemarcadotecnia.wordpress.com.
4. Mary Dowd (2018). Picker & Packer Job Descriptions. Work - Chron. Taken from: work.chron.com.
5. Dear Systems (2017). How to Optimize the Pick and Pack Process with These 5 Tips. Taken from: dearsystems.com.