Package-Based Picking and Picking Capacity Split

Outcome

Based on the packages, you have released, managed, and reported a picking list or a wave picking list.

Based on the defined picking capacity figures, you have split a picking list or wave picking list into several picking lists.

Package-based picking enables you to pick packages that are already packed or to pick individual items that make up a package.

Package-based picking is useful for companies that have the following requirements:

• Large volumes of split picks
• Large volumes of full-pallet picks or full-package picks.

Picking list capacity split is a function that separates the different picking list lines into reasonable picking workloads. Several capacity fields control how the capacity is split.

Picking list capacity split is useful for companies that have high picking volumes.

The following tables are updated:

• Picking capacity - MPICAP (MWS175)
• Stock zone - MITARE (MMS040)
• Warehouse equipment - MITEQU (MWS023)
• Item per warehouse - MITBAL (MMS002)
• Pack parameters - CSYPAR (CRS706); Headings for the (MWS423/H)
• Dispatch policy - MHDIPO (MWS010)

Before you start

Complete the settings as described in Settings for Package-Based Picking and Picking Capacity Split.

Purpose

Capacity-based picking list creation

• Enables the generation of optimized picking tasks based on the warehouse, stock zone, or warehouse equipment capacity (maximum number of packages, maximum number of lines, maximum gross weight, maximum volume, total estimated pick time).
• Enables optimization based on pack reporting information or allocated information.
• Setting up a capacity constraint of one package, every picking task will represent a single package.
• Enables capacity control of both regular picking lists and wave picking lists.

Improved package information visibility and traceability

• Better visibility of package info through the picking process.
• Combines pick and pack information.
• Both ordinary picking list and wave picking lists visualized regarding package information.

Package-based reporting capabilities

• Move to pack, move to dock, and issue reporting can now be done based on the package number that reflects the logistical flow through the warehouse. In earlier M3 versions, the reporting typically had to be done on the picking list or pick line level.
• Alternate unit of measures (U/Ms) introduced at pick reporting enable the picking task to be displayed and reported in alternate U/Ms (pieces, pallets, cases, and so on). You are not limited to reporting in the basic U/M.
• Both regular picking lists and wave picking lists can be reported based on packages.

Flexible package numbering

• Package aliases have been introduced for full flexibility and traceability.
• Support is provided for user-defined package numbering methods (for example, simplified pack processing (SPP)).
• Unique package numbering methods are available for the carrier or forwarder (for example, SPP).

Scenarios for capacity-based picking list creation

Scenario 1 - Capacity-constrained picking list

When a delivery is released for picking one or several picking lists are created. The goods to pick are originally on one picking list. This one list can be split in two steps.

In the first step the goods is split into different picking lists based on in which area in the warehouse to pick it, the stock zone, and if some equipment needs to be used to pick it, warehouse equipment. In scenario 1 there are goods to pick from stock zone 01, 02 and 03 and there are goods to pick with trolley, by fork lift and also goods that don’t require any equipment. The goods to pick are divided on picking lists for combinations of these two parameters. In this scenario this makes four picking lists.

In the second step each picking list created in the first step is divided again, this time based on some capacity constraint. The available capacity constraints are: maximum number of packages (this requires automatic packing during pick release, indicated by the green arrow), maximum picking time, maximum weight of goods to pick, maximum volume of good to pick and maximum number of picking list lines.

The result of the two picking list steps is that the goods to pick for a delivery is formed on a number of picking lists based on where to pick it, what to use to pick it and also on how much it is to pick. The resulting picking lists are called pick tasks in the picture.

Scenario 2 - Capacity-constrained wave picking list

In this scenario more than one delivery is released for picking and picked together in a wave pick. In a wave picking is made for more than one delivery at a time. As in scenario 1, for each delivery there is originally one picking list per delivery. However, these picking lists are part of the same wave picking list. Each of the original picking lists is first split on stock zone and on warehouse equipment. The picking list with the same combination of stock zone and warehouse equipment from each delivery are grouped together to one wave picking list per stock zone and warehouse equipment. In the picture these are called queues. Each of these wave picking lists are then divided further based on capacity constraints, the same constraints as in scenario 1. The end result is the same as in scenario, with the difference that each final picking list contains goods to pick for more than one delivery.

Scenarios for package-based picking

Scenario 1 - Full-package picking

Full packages are picked, for one single delivery, from their storage location. No packing is needed. The picked packages are labeled and directly put on the dock to be loaded.

Scenario 2 - Multiple full-package picking

Full packages are picked, for more than one delivery, from their storage location. No packing is needed. The picked packages are labeled and directly put on the dock to be loaded.

Scenario 3 - Pick and pack for final consignee

Goods are picked, for one single delivery, from various parts of the warehouse. The goods are taken to the pack station and packed in one or several packages. The packages are labeled and put on the dock to be loaded.

Scenario 4 - Wave pick and pack for final consignee

Goods are picked, for more than one delivery, from various parts of the warehouse. The goods are taken to the pack station and packed in one or several packages. The packages are labeled and put on the dock to be loaded.

Scenario 5 - Pick into internal tote

Goods are picked for one single deliver. The goods are placed in an internal package, a tote, during picking and taken to the pack station. There the content of the tote is transferred to one package. The package is labeled and put on dock to be loaded. One tote is one picking task. Each picking task is one package. There may be several picking tasks for the delivery.

Scenario 6 - Wave pick into internal tote

Goods are picked for more than one delivery. The goods are placed in internal packages, totes, during picking and taken to the pack station. There the contents of the totes are transferred a number of packages, at least one per delivery. The packages are labeled and put on dock to be loaded.