Optimizing Weekly Order Picking: Understanding Variability in Quantity and Product Mix for Efficiency

(i) How pick orders for goods can vary over the course of a week, in terms of quantity and product mix

Pick orders for a particular product can vary over a given time period, and such variance is natural and therefore must be accounted for. Using historical data, daily, weekly, or monthly pick rates for a particular product can be calculated. Demand patterns may also emerge from this data picture (if sufficient data is recorded and can be visualised for analysis). When demand patterns are known, picking can be planned for optimization in terms of time and labour.

Product mix in pick orders is also natural and to be expected, although the variety in the mix will vary depending on the nature of the products being retailed. Again, with sufficient data, patterns in product mix become discernible, particularly if a capable IMS is in operation. When data allows, pick orders can be produced on the basis of pick convenience. That is, goods to be picked can be grouped into picking lists that reflect zones or aisles where the picking will occur/where the SKUs required are to be found. Such grouping in to pick lists of required items allows the picker to collect goods while minimising travel between individual picks. This is achieved through creation of proximity-sensitive pick lists. IMSs can be very productive in the achievement of such.