The eFulfilment Portal - The Orders Pool
Orders are automatically downloaded from the host order processing system into the “Orders Pool” where the order can be verified, corrections made and then each order sorted into the most efficient picking routine from a simple “Paper pick” to a complex “Wave Pick” of a number of consolidated orders.

The orders pool also gives a centralised “order Status” enquiry point automatically updated through the order receipt to despatch process.

The process starts by identifying in the orders pool a group of orders to be picked using one of the many specialised picking routines. These start with a simple orders in order number sequence, through to wave picking where a number of orders are consolidated and picked at the same time. Included are routines for orders for single item, orders for items that require no packaging only labelling , etc. The orders to be picked can be printed on paper or more usual today on a hand held tablet which can display images of product to be picked.

These tools bring to the operative functionality and efficiencies that until recently was only available in the largest warehouses.

STANDARD (PAPER) PICK

This is the first step that enables the business to move from a paper pick list to picking using a tablet. Quickly and simply verifying your pick and automating the printing of despatch notes referencing the exact items picked.

The information shown on the table presents the operator with a single order in “next order sequence”. The beauty of moving from paper picking to tablet picking is that:
- the order lines can be sequenced
- product images can be presented to help identify and verify the right item
- pick confirmation
- shortages captured

All of this gives a easy first step from a paper pick to a tablet pick.

SINGLE ORDER PICKING

For the user moving from the classic paper pick to a low cost tablet pick, the operator is presented with a single order line to pick, and after picking this is followed by additional lines in bin location sequence, recording shortages if found until the order is complete.

- the order lines can be sequenced
- product images can be presented to help identify and verify the correct item
- the pick is confirmed
- shortages are captured

MULTI ORDER PICKING

Operators can view on a tablet screen all the orders that are released for picking and then select which one to pick next.

WAVE PICKING

Wave picking allows multiple individual and discreate orders to be picked in one walk around a set of shelves or racks. Typically, the picker will use a “Shopping Cart” arrangement containing a number of totes to hold each order.

Each line from the chosen orders is shown to the picker, who confirms their selection and is directed to put the item in a specific tote.

The totes for each order are uniquely identified and passed to the packing stage as discreate order.

By reducing the overall walk distance that pickers have to travel, Wave picking can reduce by 30% the time to pick each order

PICKING SINGLE LINE ORDERS - Single Quantity

The increase in eCommerce has seen, particularly in the B2C environment, many orders that only contain a single item. 'Single Order Single Line' picking is a very specific type of wave picking. From an order fulfilment point of view these orders take almost as long to process as multi line orders.

Unique to Datalinx eFulfilment is the ability to bundle these specific orders into a single 'wave pick', enabling many orders to be picked at the same time. Combined with the powerful Datalinx Pack Bench these orders can be packed and dispatched, quickly and efficiently.

Typically, this functionality is only seen in Tier One or bespoke systems and not SME/MM applications.

SHIP IN OWN CONTAINER (SIOC)

With this process, the item being despatched does not need additional packing, it only requires address and/or courier labels to be applied. Typical examples, would be electrical goods (fridges and washing machines), “bubble wrap” and other rolls of material, and any items stocked in plain cardboard outers ready for despatch.

With this type of product all that is needed is a shipping label printed at the pick face on a static or mobile printer.