Warehouse Picking Best Practices
Conduct ABC Analysis/Order Profiling
- An ABC Analysis allows a warehouse manager to classify cargo into three categories (ABC) based on order volume.
- Organize inventory such that the highest volume inventory (A) is stored toward the front of the warehouse, while the lowest volume inventory (C) is moved to the back.
- The result: less walking time and fewer man-hours required to complete picking operations
- Automating Your Picking Process
- Minimizing Travel Time to reduce Errors
Learning Activities
- Umoja Warehousing Services has the following items in stock.
Stock Number | Annual $ Volume | Percent of Annual $ Volume |
J24 | 12500 | 46.2 |
R26 | 9000 | 33.3 |
L02 | 3200 | 11.8 |
M12 | 1550 | 5.8 |
P33 | 620 | 2.3 |
T72 | 65 | 0.2 |
S67 | 53 | 0.2 |
Q47 | 32 | 0.1 |
V20 | 30 | 0.1 |
Total | 100 |
Required:
- Determine the appropriate ABC groups of inventory items for Umoja Warehousing Services.
Assignment
- Compare any two order picking strategies; be certain to include the advantages and short comings associated with each strategy.
- In no more than 1000 words write a short paper identifying the most common picking systems and equipment.
- You have been selected to be part of a warehouse performance evaluation team. You are required to prepare a document identifying the causes of warehouse picking costs and recommending the stop gap measures to reduce the costs.
- Describe five (5) documents required for the picking process.
- Which factors could affect picking accuracy in a large warehouse? How can picking accuracy be improved?
- You have been invited to an international conference on warehouse management. Prepare a short paper on warehouse picking best practices