What is serial picking?
Serial picking in logistics means that a sales order (a carton) is picked by several pickers one after the other in several picking zones. At the end of picking, the order is complete and can be packed and shipped.
Serial picking explained in detail and simply
With the serial picking method, a sales order is created in the Warehouse Management System after order-oriented entry (no partial orders). In the picking method, the order should fit completely into a box or container (volume calculation).
Before the first storage zone, the carton is prepared and marked in the appropriate size (barcode and picking list at the I-point).
The picking order is started in the first picking zone. The picker takes the goods from the appropriate storage bins. When all articles in his storage zone have been picked, the order picker places the order at the transfer point. Here, picking distances (travel time), picking time, base time and dead time in processing should be as short as possible.
Another employee takes the order and processes it in his picking zone. When he has finished, he then transfers the order to another picker, and so on.
If all items in the sales order are completely picked, the order is packed and shipped.
Serial picking and the technology
Serial picking can already be supported with a simple technique such as MDE. The storage locations are displayed on a terminal and the removal is confirmed with a barcode scanner (alternative: Pick-by-Watch, Pick-by-Tablet).
The picking time can be optimized by using conveyor technology. The cartons are automatically transported to the picking zones. Picking methods such as Pick-to-Light and Pick-by-Point® are ideally suited for this purpose. The picking list is scanned. The light shows the picker the goods on the shelf (also the quantity). The picking performance is optimized. The process in the warehouse is thus greatly accelerated.
Advantages of serial picking
Depending on the expansion of the technical picking methods, serial picking as a method has the following advantages:
- Relatively low investment costs (MDE)
- Easy system introduction
- Little training
- Extension possibilities (conveyor technology, Pick-to-Light, Voice Picking, Pick-by-Point®, etc.)
Disadvantages of serial picking
The disadvantages are defined as follows:
- Long order processing time
- Complex volume calculation required
- If without conveyor system: time loss due to distribution time
Conclusion
Serial picking is simple and is often used with conveyor technology and other picking methods such as Pick-to-Light, Voice Picking, Pick-by-Point®. Depending on the size of the warehouse, MDE can be used first and only then the other techniques (Pick-by-Watch, Pick-by-Tablet). The relatively long order throughput time (man to goods) is only rarely a problem. Serial order picking is optimal for small to medium-sized warehouses.
Comparable picking processes
For comparison, you can also read about the other picking methods:
Single-level picking
Two-level picking
Multi-level picking
Parallel picking
Series-oriented picking