Pick and Pack Fulfilment Service: Warehouse Process

Pick and pack services define this fulfilment service as the most important part of B2C commerce. This service takes place in the warehouse and ends with a satisfied and happy customer. In layman’s language, this process includes picking products from the warehouse and systematically packing it for the customer. But there’s a lot more than meets the eye.

This process is a science and an art in itself. It’s a technical process that needs scientific treatment to save both time and money and is an art as, from the start to the finish needs a personal touch with artful packing.

Technically this process means – Picking the required quantity of the ordered products from the correct shelf, taking the order to the packing table, assembling the order, and packing it with appropriate labels combined with proper documentation so that it reaches its destination in time and proper order.

The Process

1. The warehouse receives the goods by shipment.

2. Unpacking, sorting, and storing in the warehouse commences.

3. Order is received and transmitted to the warehouse for fulfilment.

4. The warehouse generates a packing slip.

5. Warehouse workers/pickers collect the items specified on the list.

6. Pickers choose the appropriate method from various methods of collection.

7. Pickers place the ordered items on the packing station.

8. Boxing and labelling of the order take place.

9. This is followed by sorting boxes as per their destination.

10. The process finishes with the delivery of orders.

All this leads to a content and cheerful customer who further gets you more business through appreciation.

The Strategies

This process can take place in a variety of ways depending upon the requirement of the order and the placement of things in the warehouse. The multitude of methods includes –

• PIECE PICKING – In this method, a single order is catered to by the picker. He picks all the items mentioned in the order slip, one by one, from the warehouse and places the whole order at the packing station. This is the simplest and the oldest of all the methods and is suitable for small businesses.

• BATCH PICKING – This method caters to large orders; the things are picked in large quantities for multiple orders. It saves time as the same product is required in different orders, so the picker doesn’t need to reach out to the same aisle again and again. Also, the orders reach out on time.

ZONE PICKING – This method is appropriate for large warehouses as they are divided into various zones. The pickers stand in their zone and collect the items as per the order and then pass the order to the other zone, for the other picker to pick the products from his zone and thus complete the order. This method requires professional coordination.

• WAVE PICKING – This method blends batch and zone picking. The orders move like a wave through the warehouse. The pickers pick batch orders from a particular zone before passing them on to the next zone, completing multiple orders within no time. This is the most advanced method of picking and is being used extensively in a large warehouse.

Pick and pack services ensure to apply the best method for different orders, as completing the orders on time and in a possible way is their motto.

The Cost Involved

The fulfilment services charge a set cost for a particular order depending upon the order volume, the labour cost, and the added costs for value-added services. There are a lot of functions involved in the whole process. The process includes receiving the inventory, sorting, storing, and updating inventory. It also includes receival and picking of the orders, packing material, quality control, labelling, sealing, documentation, and delivery of the order.

All these services have labour and value-added costs, including the cost of the warehouse space and storage, that have to be borne. An automated management system and data optimisation software can make the costs go even higher. The pick and pack services keep all these costs in consideration and guarantee complete satisfaction to all the parties involved in the transaction.

The Benefits

• Customised services are the first and foremost. The need for more space, more labour, and more automation are all met by the fulfilment companies. Pick and pack services ensure customisation as per individual needs.

• Outsourcing makes the work more efficient, less costly, and swift delivery. All this makes room for more work in less time.

• Warehouse slotting makes picking more efficient and less erroneous and keeps inventory shrinkage at bay.

• Detailed pack-out procedures with the right size boxes and lots of dunnage material ensure damage-free delivery.

• Coordination of handling techniques shortens the delivery process and time.

• Cost-effective due to the absence of middlemen and great savings on time and labour.

• Minimal wastage is guaranteed as all the package material is appropriate and is used efficiently.

• Such services cater to orders of all sizes and all volumes making the work and delivery easier for the company.

• Your company saves on the administration costs as the fulfilment company takes care of all the paperwork.

• Save big bucks on labour recruitment and turnover as these are also well taken care of by the fulfilment company.

Warehousing and distribution are two pillars of an e-commerce business. If these two are taken care of in the right manner, your success will know no bounds.

The Challenges

There are many challenges this industry faces which make the whole process cumbersome and inefficient. Some of these are –

• Faulty inventory records.

• Incomplete and unorganised inventory.

• Wrong placement of products.

• Missing product information.

• Unsuitable picking methods.

• Wrong packaging material.

• Wrong labelling and documentation

• Slow shipping.

• Faulty delivery due to wrong documentation.

All these challenges make the process costly and time-consuming, as rectifying the blunders is altogether a new process.

The Optimisation

A complete work analysis helps the warehouse fulfilment services overcome these challenges. Automation and investing in warehouse management software can also help optimise business and profits. Using barcodes and scanners help in the reduction of errors made due to manual intervention.

Entrust us with your business’s responsibility, and you shall never regret your decision. Warehousing and Distribution is a trusted name in this business and has umpteen years of experience to its credit.

Read more : https://techpese.com/2022/12/14/pick-and-pack-fulfilmentservice-warehouse-process/