Multipicking in the warehouse: how to set it up correctly step by step

In warehouses with a high proportion of smaller orders, performance is not lost during the picking process itself, but primarily through unnecessary movement of warehouse workers between racks. Repeated returns to the same aisles, fragmented routes, and frequent work interruptions significantly reduce actual shipping productivity, even if the picking process itself may seem smooth at first glance.

Multipicking fundamentally changes this model by allowing multiple orders to be consolidated into a single optimized route, thereby significantly reducing the total time spent moving around the warehouse. With a suitably chosen product range and correctly set rules, it can lead to an increase in shipping throughput by tens of percent. The key factor for success, however, is not the WMS feature itself, but primarily the logic of order grouping, properly dimensioned cart capacity, and a seamless transition to the packing process, which determines whether the savings from picking are actually reflected in the entire order flow.

How to implement multipicking in the warehouse step by step

1. ‍Analyze orders and product range

‍Perform a detailed segmentation of your order portfolio to identify the share of low-volume B2C shipments (typically 1–3 items). This segment generates the highest potential for savings within multipicking by minimizing the number of stops on a route. Conversely, it is advisable from a process perspective to separate bulky, heavy, or multi-line orders into a standalone picking process.

2. Prepare carts and boxes

Every order must be clearly identifiable in the warehouse, both in the system and physically. Therefore, each box on the cart must have its own label (ID or barcode) and be assigned to a specific order in WMS. The size of the cart and the number of bins must be set according to the goods the warehouse is picking—based on their size, ease of handling, and order frequency. If there are too many bins and they aren't well-suited to the operation, the picker will struggle to navigate, slowing down the entire process.

3. Set rules in the WMS

A key element is setting up batching logic in the WMS, which determines how orders are combined into a single picking wave. Rules can be based on the number of items, quantity, carrier, priority, cut-off time, or sales channel. In LOKiA WMS , these rules can be combined with cart and bin settings to automatically manage task creation, ensuring it aligns with current warehouse load and order structure.

4. Guide the picker step-by-step

The execution part of the process must be fully system-driven. The picker works in scan-to-confirm mode, where every operation is validated by scanning the location, SKU, and target bin. This eliminates the need for operator decision-making and minimizes performance variability between individual workers. The result is a stable picking pace regardless of the picker's experience level.

5. Connect picking with packing

From an end-to-end logistics perspective, multipicking is only complete once the shipment is correctly sorted at the packing station. Any need for additional sorting at the packing stage negates some of the savings achieved during picking. In an ideal model, one bin corresponds to one order, allowing for direct handover to the packing process without additional handling.

6. Run a pilot and measure the entire flow

Implementation must be verified in a pilot mode on a selected segment of the assortment. Key KPIs include pick rate (lines/hour), lead time, waiting time at packing, and error rate. Based on this data, batch size, task structure, and cart capacity can be gradually optimized. The goal is not to maximize the number of orders per route, but to optimize the total flow of orders through the warehouse.

Verify if multipicking is suitable for your warehouse

Before implementing multipicking in a warehouse, it is necessary to base the decision on real operational data – order composition, goods movement, and the performance of individual processes. At GRiT, we therefore first analyze order types, the picking process, cart capacity utilization, and the connection between picking, packing, and shipping.

Only on the basis of this data can we determine where the multipicking module in LOKiA WMS provides real benefits, which groups of orders are efficient to combine, and where, conversely, it would lead to a slowdown in the process or an increase in error rates. The proposal also includes precise settings for task capacity, box structure, and batching rules to match your assortment, turnover rate, and warehouse layout.

Do you want to find out what performance multipicking can bring to your specific warehouse?

Get in touch with us and we will prepare a proposal based on your real data and operational constraints.