Multipicking is a method of picking orders in which a warehouse worker does not prepare one order during one route through the warehouse, but multiple orders at once. This results in fewer returns to the same zones, shorter distances, and the warehouse can send work to packaging and shipping faster.
For warehouses that are experiencing a growth in order volume, multipicking can be a significant help. However, it does not automatically mean a faster warehouse. If warehouse positions, readers, order distribution, packaging control and carrier tracking are not set up correctly, a higher pace can lead to more mix-ups and errors.
What is multipicking and how does it work?
In conventional picking, a warehouse worker picks one order, returns and continues with another. In multipicking, the warehouse worker walks a single route and simultaneously picks items for multiple orders . They are continuously distributed into crates, boxes or trolleys according to specific customers.
The goal is not just to speed up movement around the hall, but to better manage the warehouse worker's route, reduce repeated trips, and get orders to packaging more smoothly.
For which warehouses and e-shops is multipicking suitable?
Multipicking is mainly suitable for warehouses that handle a higher number of smaller orders. Typically in e-commerce , where warehouse workers often return to the same warehouse zones and seasonal peaks quickly reveal the limit of simultaneous picking.
A good candidate for implementing multipicking is a warehouse that processes dozens, hundreds, or hundreds of similar orders per day and is looking for a way to increase throughput without expanding shifts or warehouse space.
Typical signals that multipicking could bring results:
- a high proportion of orders contain only a few items,
- the same products appear across many orders,
- warehouse workers spend more time moving than picking,
- During the day, queues of orders waiting to be processed arise,
- The company needs to manage significant fluctuations in shipment volume.
On the contrary, it may not be the first choice for warehouses where large B2B orders, pallet deliveries, or orders with very specific warehouse logic predominate.
How a WMS can make multipicking easier
Multipicking can be organized without a WMS system via papers and spreadsheets, but as the number of orders increases, this style cannot be managed and scaled. Warehouse workers must correctly distribute items between individual orders, monitor the picking order, and minimize the risk of mix-ups.
A WMS system helps to streamline and automate the entire process. For example, it can group appropriate orders, suggest an efficient route through the warehouse, or guide the warehouse worker through the individual picking steps. This makes work faster, clearer, and more scalable for higher volumes.
LOKiA WMS supports multipicking as part of standard warehouse processes. This helps warehouses process larger quantities of orders more efficiently, reduce unnecessary movements of warehouse workers, and make better use of available capacity.
Want to find out if multipicking would make sense in your warehouse? Contact us and we'll take a look at your picking processes, automation options, and how a WMS system can help increase warehouse performance without unnecessary errors.
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