Order Picking in the warehouse – definition and process

Order picking refers to the process whereby goods are retrieved from a warehouse in accordance with an order and prepared for dispatch.

This process forms a key link between the warehouse and dispatch and is crucial for delivery speed and accuracy.

• Ergonomically designed workstations enable efficient process organisation and enhance staff performance.
• Structured workflows play a key role in minimising error rates throughout the order picking process.
• Digital assistance systems ensure precise and comprehensive data capture during the order picking process.
• Flexible system solutions can be individually tailored to the requirements of businesses with warehouses of any size.

What does Order Picking mean?

Order picking describes the process of assembling items from a warehouse in accordance with a customer order.

The aim is to provide the correct goods in the correct quantity and quality. In warehouse logistics, it is one of the key steps within the material flow.

Tasks and objectives

• Staff retrieve materials or products specifically from the designated storage locations.
• Each item is checked and clearly allocated to the corresponding order.
• The goods are then properly packaged and prepared for dispatch.

Types of Order Picking

There are various types of picking procedures:

• In manual picking, staff retrieve the required goods independently from the designated storage locations.
• In automated picking, systems and robots handle individual steps of goods retrieval and order processing.
• Digital systems such as 'Pick-by-Light', 'Pick-by-Scan' or 'Pick-by-Voice' control paperless order picking with precision and efficiency.

Furthermore, a distinction is made between different organisational procedures. Single-stage order picking is particularly suitable for manageable warehouse structures in which orders are processed directly without subsequent consolidation.

In larger warehouses, on the other hand, methods such as batch-oriented parallel picking or order-oriented parallel picking are used.

These approaches help to process multiple orders efficiently at the same time and reduce travel times.

Order Picking process

A typical process comprises several phases:

• First, orders are created and sorted by priority to ensure structured processing.
• This is followed by route planning within the warehouse, and the picking list is provided to staff.
• Finally, the items are retrieved, checked, packed and prepared for dispatch.

The right workstations play a key role in this process. Ergonomically designed packing tables help staff work efficiently and in a way that is easy on the body.

Why efficient order picking is essential in logistics

In production and dispatch warehouses, order picking is one of the most cost- and time-intensive tasks. Around 55 per cent of total warehouse working time is spent on picking processes. Increasing efficiency in this area leads directly to economic gains.

Combining ergonomics and efficiency at the packing station

With Rocholz, you can design packing workstations so that ergonomics, process reliability and efficiency come together effectively in day-to-day operations.

Ergoficiency® uses objective data to highlight strain, time wastage and organisational weaknesses, creating a solid foundation for targeted improvements.

Using the packing table configurator, you can then plan a solution that is ergonomically well thought-out and precisely tailored to your processes and requirements.

FAQ

What is Order Picking in simple terms?

It involves gathering items together in accordance with an order. The aim is to ensure the right goods are available at the right time and in the right place.

What types of Order Picking are there?

There are manual, automated and paperless forms of order picking. In addition, a distinction is made between organisational procedures such as serial, parallel, single-stage or order-oriented order picking.

Why is Order Picking so important?

It affects delivery times, error rates and customer satisfaction. Optimised process design increases productivity throughout the warehouse.