Batch Picking / Multi-Order Picking

Batch Picking is an order picking method in which multiple customer orders are deliberately grouped together and processed in a single operation. The goal is to pick identical or similar items only once and thereby significantly reduce travel distances in the warehouse. 

What is Batch Picking?

Batch picking means that a worker does not process each order individually but instead handles multiple orders at the same time. The required items are first picked collectively and only afterward assigned to the individual orders.

This approach differs significantly from classic single order picking and is primarily used in environments with high order volumes.

How does Batch Picking work in practice?

In practice, the process begins by grouping multiple customer orders into a so-called batch within the Warehouse Management System (WMS). The system considers various factors such as item overlap, storage locations, or shipping priorities.

A worker then receives an optimized pick list containing all items required for that batch. Instead of walking through the warehouse multiple times, the items are collected in a single pass.

After the picking process, there is usually a separate step in which the items are assigned to individual orders and packed.

What role does a WMS play in Batch Picking?

A warehouse management system is almost indispensable for batch picking. It handles the intelligent grouping of orders and ensures that the picking sequence is as efficient as possible.

In addition, the WMS controls order prioritization, for example based on shipping times or service level agreements. The subsequent sorting process is also often supported by the system, for example through the assignment of packing stations or sorting zones.

Without this system-supported control, batch picking would be difficult to implement efficiently in practice.

When is Batch Picking useful?

Batch picking is particularly effective in scenarios with many small orders and a high degree of item overlap. Typical examples include e-commerce warehouses or fulfillment service providers that process a large number of similar orders every day.

However, the method is less suitable for highly individual or complex orders where there is little overlap between items.

Distinction from related methods

Batch picking is often equated with multi-order picking. However, while multi-order picking serves as a general term for processing multiple orders simultaneously, batch picking specifically describes the process with subsequent sorting.

In comparison, cluster picking goes one step further, as item allocation takes place during picking and no additional sorting step is required.