Pick & Pack: Doing It in a Professional Manner
Pick & Pack
Pick & Pack is a service that many warehouses actively perform for their clients. We call it this because we ship less than a full pallet of goods. In our warehouse, we also refer to this as a white-glove service, and we associate additional charges with it. For example, an order may request two cases of product A and three cases of product B. We remove these products from full pallets and move them to a new empty pallet. This sounds simple, right? However, simple tasks can get messy very quickly.
How Do Professionals Do It?
We take pride in being professionals at what we do, and that means providing the services our clients expect. Pick and pack is no exception. Like all warehouses, we follow a clear procedure to ensure we complete the process efficiently.
The Process We Follow
- First, we enter the order into our WMS.
- Next, we print two copies of the pick ticket. We highlight all items on the pick ticket to ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Then, we give the pick ticket to the warehouse team for pulling, staging, and checking.
- After that, once the order is pulled, staged, and checked, one signed copy of the pick ticket returns to the office.
- Finally, we complete the paperwork, and the carrier signs the BOL when the goods are picked up.
Pick & Pack: Using a Scan Gun
Another way to complete a pick and pack order is by using a scan gun. This method can save time on small orders. However, it creates less of a paper trail to fall back on in case of errors. In some scan guns, the system blocks any item that is not specified, which helps prevent mis-shipments. This setting is useful because it reduces mistakes. But is this the best way to complete pick and pack orders if only some clients use scanning for inventory control? We didn’t think so, so we stayed with a proven method.
Can You Use Both Methods?
Absolutely. Regardless of which method—or combination of methods—you choose, it should ultimately fit your clients’ needs and maintain accuracy. Ultimately, it should benefit your client.
