What is a picking warehouse?
By definition, a picking warehouse is a warehouse where partial quantities of the product range are picked from storage locations. Picking devices or picking systems optimize the time required for the picking process. The goods are divided into storage zones and assigned to specific storage locations. The product range is restocked from the stock warehouse.
What picking methods are supported in a picking warehouse?
- Pick-by-Light
- Voice Picking
- Pick-by-Point®
- Pick-by-Cart
- Pick-by-Frame®
- Pick-by-Watch
- Pick-by-Point®
- etc.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a picking warehouse is. We’ll also provide some tips on picking and the supporting picking systems that can help optimize your warehouse.
To optimize picking times, process orders quickly, and provide ergonomic support for employees (pickers) in terms of travel times and walking distances, various picking devices and systems linked to a database are used. These investments quickly pay for themselves when dealing with a large product range and partial orders.
Items stored include: pallets, boxes, cartons, bags, drums, equipment, and machinery. If there is insufficient stock available in the picking warehouse, additional stock is brought in from the stock warehouse, replenishment warehouse, or high-bay warehouse using loading equipment.
Among the best manual picking methods ("man-to-goods") in a picking warehouse are: Pick-by-Light, Voice Picking, Pick-by-Point, Pick-by-Frame, Pick-by-Cart, etc. This is intended to provide the picker with optimal support during picking in their warehouse areas.
In an automated picking warehouse, machines are used that operate on the “goods-to-person” principle. The warehouse system automatically delivers the items to the picking station (e.g., Hänel’s paternoster system). The goods are moved within the warehouse via conveyor systems. The investment costs are significantly higher than those associated with manual picking methods.
Picking performance in a picking warehouse
A picking warehouse must quickly prepare picking orders for shipping or production with the lowest possible error rate. To achieve this, companies use equipment such as forklifts, flow racks, shelving units, loading units, containers, conveyor systems, etc., during the picking process. All these solutions and systems are designed to optimize the performance and quality of employees in the warehouse (picking warehouse) and throughout the entire intralogistics process. The shortage rate should be kept as low as possible. The goal is to process the picking list quickly. It is not possible to provide a universal definition of picking performance in a picking warehouse, as it depends on many factors (product range) in each specific area.
The entire process—from receiving goods at the warehouse entrance to picking them—must be fast and ergonomically designed for employees, with minimal inventory levels, while taking into account space requirements and technical needs. Picking is done either fully automatically or manually, depending on how the goods are stored. Stock transfers often help with optimization.
A picking warehouse often operates on a FIFO basis, with orders frequently linked to further processing in a unit warehouse. Fast-moving items in a picking warehouse are of great importance to both operators and quality assurance. Excessive inventory in a picking warehouse has more disadvantages than advantages. The responsibilities of a picking warehouse do not include handling returns or processing returns.
Conclusion
A picking warehouse is used for the direct picking of items for shipping, production, or manufacturing. Pickers work in the various warehouse areas to pick the product assortment. Each area often processes incoming orders (using either sequential or parallel picking). The picking warehouse is supplied with partial quantities from other warehouses. Various systems are used to support the pickers.