Waveless picking or waveless fulfilment refers to the order-picking process that is more flexible and responsive than traditional wave picking. It describes a method of order fulfilment in warehouses where goods are picked continuously rather than in waves or batches.
It optimises efficiency by reducing downtime between tasks and using real-time order information to prioritise and pick items as needed. Such an approach enhances productivity and responsiveness to customer demands, making it suitable for dynamic and fast-paced distribution environments.
So, how exactly does this picking process work, and which functions are involved? Also, what are the benefits of this picking type from that of wave picking? And does it offer any benefits over other picking types? To find the answer to all of these questions, keep reading.
5 Features of Waveless Picking
There are quite a few distinct features of waveless clicking that set it apart from the traditional batch-picking methods. By leveraging real-time data and dynamic prioritisation, this system ensures continuous, efficient order processing.
Below are the key features that make this type of picking a preferred choice for modern warehouses looking to optimise workflow and meet increasing customer demands.
Dynamic Batch Handling
The picking happens in batches, in both wave and waveless picking. In wave picking, there are dynamic batches, but the major difference between the two types of picking is how they handle batching.
The core concept is that as you get the e-commerce order, all the items in the warehouse are grouped into batches by warehouse management system (WMS). The WMS creates a task and assigns it to the picker for picking. In wave picking, the batches are scheduled at specific intervals.
However, for waveless picking, the WMS schedules batch continuously in real-time, responding immediately whenever an order is received.
Active Tasking
As per the nature of this type of picking, the tasks get assigned to, maximise efficiency. Take two identical warehouses- A & B. They sell the same product and have similar workers.
The main difference is Warehouse A uses wave picking, while Warehouse B resorts to waveless picking. Upon receiving an order, Warehouse A batches the orders assigning picking tasks to a picker, irrespective of where the items are on the warehouse floor.
But that’s not the case with Warehouse B’s continuous picking. It assigns the tasks to the pickers who are chosen to a section of the inventory where the items are. This reduces picking times making the whole process more efficient.
Order Lead Time
Today’s demanding e-commerce needs agile solutions. Right now, people are used to and expect super-fast deliveries and solutions. Therefore, businesses must give their customer what they want as accurately and as fast as possible.
Implementing this picking strategy also ensures quicker order turnaround time than wave picking. Much of it is due to the dynamic way it sequences the orders. But there’s more. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) facilitate accurate and safe order picking along with technology, facilitating exact and secure order picking.
Omnichannel Potential
As supply chains are rapidly evolving today, it’s vital to ensure your business can handle omnichannel routes. They need to adjust to the omnichannel fulfilment at any stage of the supply chain. But there’s a catch!
This type of fulfilment fulfils orders from retail stores and warehouses as required. The choice for waveless and wave picking depends on the type of order.
In the meantime, let’s see another feature this picking process allows.
Automated Workflow
Automation and robotics in warehousing have been around for a while. You must adjust your workflow with the right WMS. Some advanced WMS come with the equipment to systematically direct the tasks to the robots and equipment.
Such features of warehouse order-picking methods have various benefits for the business and the people who are operating these tasks. So, let’s see how this phenomenon makes business processes easier.
7 Benefits of Waveless Picking
You can see this picking process more in the ecommerce sectors or other operations where aggressive shipping requirements are the norm. Some receive large-volume orders the same day with next-day shipping.
This happens as the picking allows the WES to constantly reevaluate the line of orders for prioritising those with the most urgent deadlines.
To understand, let’s look at a few benefits of this type of picking that are worth picking:
1.Handles Dynamic Batches
Picking is built for handling constant overturning shipments. This ensures that as older orders are complete, new orders keep on being added to the batch constantly.
2.Managing High Demand Shipping
If your business deals with products that always have a high demand, this picking strategy is your saviour. Since orders are continuously replaced with new ones, this strategy works best for the next-day shipping customers.
3.Generating Constant Refresh
This picking constantly refreshes and adds new orders to the store to keep up with the shipping deadlines. Such a strategy eliminates the need to make manual updates.
4.Creates Predictability
Order-picking solutions tend to level out the valleys and peaks in productivity that are common. This ensures a predictable throughput and efficient use of equipment.
5.Speedier Deliveries
The days when customers would patiently and contently wait for their orders are gone. With waveless speed, customers get orders in real-time. This means they do not have to wait for longer periods as products are dispatched quickly. Their orders will arrive in the shortest possible time.
6.More Accuracy
Few things frustrate a customer more than receiving the wrong order. These errors not only inconvenience the customer but can also be costly for businesses due to returns and potential reputational damage. Waveless picking, with its continuous flow and real-time processing, significantly minimizes the likelihood of such mistakes.
7.Improved Adaptability
Customer demands are often unpredictable, and traditional wave-based picking systems can struggle to keep up with sudden changes or order surges. This picking allows ecommerce businesses to adapt seamlessly to these fluctuations, ensuring even last-minute orders are processed efficiently. This flexibility enhances the overall customer experience.
Alternatives to Waveless Picking
While the waveless type of picking is good, you can also implement other picking methods. These methods can optimise your inventory process, improving order fulfilment speed.
Wave Picking
Waveless picking is frequently compared to wave picking, which involves processing static batches (or waves) of orders. This traditional method requires completing one wave before moving on to the next in the automated order picking.
Overlapping Wave Picking
Another strategy is overlapping wave picking, which combines elements of both types of picking. It uses static batches but releases the next wave once the prior one peaks in productivity, without waiting for it to finish.
Throughput Efficiency
Overlapping wave management enhances throughput by minimising the low productivity valleys seen in both types of picking, allowing for a smoother and more continuous operation.
Productivity Impact
Like picking, overlapping wave picking results in lower peaks and higher valleys of productivity. However, it often achieves higher throughput compared to this picking, making it a more efficient option in certain scenarios.
FAQs: Understanding Waveless Picking in Order Fulfillment
What is an example of waveless picking?
Here orders are processed in real time without batching. For example, an e-commerce warehouse continuously processes incoming orders, dynamically assigning pickers to retrieve items as soon as they’re received, optimizing speed and reducing delays.
What is the difference between waveless and zone picking?
Such processes orders continuously, while zone picking divides the warehouse into zones, with workers assigned to specific areas. In zone picking, each picker retrieves items only from their designated zone, often requiring a handoff for order completion.
What are some drawbacks of waveless fulfilment?
Drawbacks include potential over-reliance on real-time data, which can strain resources during peak times. It may also lead to less efficiency for large batch orders compared to traditional wave-based methods, especially in high-volume environments.
Conclusion
Waveless picking offers a dynamic and efficient solution for modern order fulfilment. It enables faster processing, increased accuracy, and better adaptability to fluctuating customer demands. Its real-time approach reduces downtime and enhances productivity, making it ideal for fast-paced environments.
Ready to optimize your order fulfilment process? Contact Qodenext today to explore how it can transform your warehouse operations!
