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[[Image:Sistema de preparación de pedidos pick to light.jpg|thumb|Person to goods picking assisted by conveyor belt]]
'''Order picking''' or order preparation is one of a logistic warehouse's processes.<ref>{{cite webcn|url=http://www.inventoryops.com/order_picking.htm|title= Order Picking: Methods and Equipment for Piece Pick, Case Pick, and Pallet Pick Operations|last=Piasecki|first=Dave|publisher=InventoryOps.com|access-date=8 DecemberSeptember 20122023}}</ref>
It consists in taking and collecting articles in a specified quantity before shipment to fulfil customer orders.
It is a basic warehousing process and has an important influence on logistic processes.{{cn|date=September 2023}}
It is one of the [[warehouse management system]] functions.
===Piece Picking===
Piece picking, also known as broken case picking or pick/pack operations, describes systems where individual items are picked. Operations using piece picking typically have a large [[stock keeping unit]], or SKU, base in the thousands or tens of thousands of items, small quantities per pick, and short cycle times. Examples of piece pick operations include mail-order catalog companies and repair parts distributors.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.inventoryops.com/order_picking.htm | last=Piasecki | first=Dave | title=Order Picking: Methods and Equipment for Piece Pick, Case Pick, and Pallet Pick Operations | publisher= Inventory Ops Consultation | year=2012 | access-date=1 May 2015}}</ref>
Piece picking, a core component of logistics and supply chain management, is the process of selecting individual items or units from storage locations within a warehouse or distribution center. This operation is fundamental to the seamless flow of goods in the supply chain, ensuring that the right products are picked, assembled, and prepared for shipping, order fulfillment, or other distribution processes. In this article, we will explore the concept of piece picking, its significance in logistics, the methods employed, and its impact on driving efficiency and accuracy in the supply chain.
The Vital Role of Piece Picking
Piece picking stands as a critical link in the modern supply chain for several compelling reasons:
* Precision in Order Fulfillment: In the age of e-commerce and consumer expectations for speedy, error-free deliveries, piece picking plays an essential role in guaranteeing that the correct products are chosen and dispatched in the right quantities. This level of precision is crucial for meeting customer demands and building trust.
* Optimized Inventory Management: Piece picking is closely intertwined with inventory control. By meticulously tracking which individual items are selected for shipment or replenishment, warehouses can maintain precise control over their stock levels, mitigating the risks of overstocking or running out of popular items.
* Cost-Efficient Operations: Effective piece picking significantly contributes to cost savings within warehousing operations. By streamlining the process, warehouses can reduce labor costs, minimize equipment wear and tear, and maximize the use of valuable storage space.
* Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Timely and accurate order fulfillment, made possible through piece picking, leads to improved customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat customers and advocates for the business, driving long-term success.
Methods of Piece Picking
Warehouses employ various methods of piece picking, with each tailored to their specific needs and constraints. Here are some common piece picking methods:
* Manual Piece Picking: In smaller-scale operations or when handling fragile or irregularly shaped items, manual piece picking remains a preferred method. Warehouse personnel use their skills and judgment to select individual items.
* Batch Picking: Batch picking involves selecting multiple orders simultaneously to increase efficiency. Warehouse workers gather items for several orders at once, reducing travel time within the facility and boosting overall productivity.
* Zone Picking: In larger warehouses, the facility is divided into zones, with each zone assigned to a specific picker. This method is particularly useful when dealing with a wide range of products or managing large inventories.
* Automated Piece Picking: Automation technologies, such as robotic pickers equipped with computer vision and machine learning algorithms, have gained prominence. These technologies streamline piece picking by reducing the need for human intervention, especially in high-volume, repetitive tasks.
Conclusion
Piece picking is a cornerstone of efficient warehouse management and supply chain operations. Its impact reverberates beyond the warehouse walls, influencing customer satisfaction, cost control, and overall business success. As technology continues to advance, piece picking methods will become more sophisticated, further enhancing efficiency and accuracy in this vital logistics process.
===Case Picking===
Operations that use case picking tend to have less diversity in product characteristics than operations that use piece picking. There are typically fewer SKUs and higher picks per SKU.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Piasecki |first=Dave |year=2012 |title=Order Picking: Methods and Equipment for Piece Pick, Case Pick, and Pallet Pick Operations |url=http://www.inventoryops.com/order_picking.htm |access-date=1 May 2015 |publisher=Inventory Ops Consultation}}</ref>
===Pallet Picking===
This list is only a small sample of factors that can influence the choice of a distribution center's operational procedures. Because each factor has varying importance in each organization, the net effect is that each organization has unique processing requirements.
The effect of [[Globalizationglobalization]] has immense impacts on much of the order fulfillment, but its impact is felt mostly in transportation and distribution.
== See also ==
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