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Optimizing various warehouse processes is a sure-fire way to reduce costs and improve the customer experience. Of all the activities that happen in a warehouse, order picking is probably the one most ripe for optimization. Fortunately, it is also one that many businesses are choosing to automate. Here is why your warehouse might want to start its automation journey with order picking, some options for order picking automation, and the benefits of automated order picking systems.

According to a March 2024 forecast by EMarketer, the global eCommerce industry is expected to reach $6.334 trillion in sales in 2024, which is an 8.8% increase from the previous year and accounts for 20.1% of total retail sales.  If you’re an online business, this means you must be prepared to meet growing demand and find a way to optimize your eCommerce fulfillment processes.

Few processes in order fulfillment are as labor- and time-intensive as your picking processes. Getting the right products off the shelves and ready for shipment quickly is an ongoing challenge for most warehouses and distribution centers.

Picking errors are the not-so-silent killer of warehouse productivity. All warehouses know that these mistakes are happening. But not enough businesses understand the gravity of the issue or know how to address it.

Order picking methods are defined in terms of: (a) pickers per order - the number of pickers that work on a single order at one time; (b) lines per pick - the number of orders a single item is picked for at one time; and (c) periods per shift - the frequency of order scheduling during one shift.

Among many of the challenges that 2020 forced so many businesses to solve was how to not just create a direct-to-customer fulfillment operation but to optimize it and standardize the processes enough to make it seem like less of the scramble that it was when all of this started almost a year ago. One specific process that was a common challenge for many businesses in 2020 was the Picking Process.

"That Looks Cool! Wonder How I Can Use It?"

For the true gadget lovers, we have the experience of being in a store full of gadgets and machines and occasionally see something that compels us to say, "I am not sure what it is, but how can I find a way to use it?"

If you haven't seen one yet, dimensional scanners definitely fall into that category. No one will be surprised if a true distribution center process nerd brings it home one day for personal use. 

What is a "Dimensional Scanner"?

A dimensional scanner is a specialized equipment that will scan and record the dimensions of an object - of any shape. When paired with a scale, the complete shape, weight and dimensions of any product can be recorded to a database and be the source of efficiency in multiple areas of the business.

...but how can we use a dimensional scanner?

Workers who are comfortably and appropriately dressed to handle job tasks will be more productive and happier at work. One of the most important parts of an order picker's wardrobe is his or her footwear.

Proper work shoes will allow order pickers to maximize their potential daily workload. The best work shoes will also be safer and help workers to avoid accidents that could potentially sidetrack them from getting work done.

"Measured in time and money - order picking is without doubt the most costly activity in a typical warehouse. It is also the activity that plays the biggest role for customer satisfaction with the warehouse – and in the final analysis the entire supply chain." - Professor René de Koster

Stock picking carts are an essential part of factory and warehouse operations. Order picking is the most labor intensive and error prone process in the warehouse. Newcastle System's offers a NEW solution that is ideal for single line items, batch order picking, manual and RF picking as well as “Pick & Pack”.

Once you understand how adding the latest technology from Newcastle System's includes portable power, you begin to think quickly about the possibilities. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the advantages of eliminating wasted steps with a power supply integrated with a mobile stock picking cart station.