Pick: picking strategies
Pick by order: all the items in one order are collected in a single pass. Efficient for small warehouses and low order volumes. Pick by batch: several orders picked at once by one picker. Zone picking: the warehouse is divided into zones, each staffed by one employee. Ideal for high-volume warehouses with a broad range.
Pack: optimising packaging
Packing properly reduces transport damage and saves freight costs. The ground rules: only as much cushioning as necessary, choose a carton that fits the goods (remember volumetric weight), and bear in mind that filler material prevents damage but increases volumetric weight. Pick & pack software suggests the optimal carton automatically and calculates the volumetric weight.
Outsourcing pick & pack – when does it make sense?
An external fulfilment centre takes on storage, picking and dispatch. It makes sense from around 50–100 consignments a day, or where you lack warehouse capacity of your own. Costs: typically 1.50–4.00 euros per pick plus packaging and a storage fee. The advantage: variable costs instead of fixed warehouse staff and rental costs.
