Understanding the Pick and Pack Process
The ability to efficiently pick and pack light-duty office products is an important element of order management and is part of the shipping process known as "pack and pack." Order processing or facilities are also commonly referred to as "district maintenance facilities" or "DMC's." Key components of this process include the packing manufacturer, the pick and pack provider, the shipping supplier or carrier, and the shipper. The end user, the company who ships the goods, pays the supplier or carrier the invoice at the time it is received.
The picking or packing process begins with inventory control. A company begins with an in-stock inventory consisting of the inventory that is in stock and available for pick and pack sales. The most common forms of in-stock inventory are product inventory and product orders. In addition, companies may utilize stock holding space for temporary or permanent inventory.
An accurate inventory management system is integral to the pick and pack process. An accurate inventory management system is used to maintain timely and accurate inventories of inventory and goods in transit. An accurate inventory management system keeps records of product flow and the location of merchandise in transit. It is important to establish a chain of command so that the pick and pack process flows smoothly from supplier to distributor. An inventory management system keeps an eye on product levels and receives alerts when shelves are low or when a product in transit is out of stock.
A warehouse environment must be properly designed and optimized for the pick and pack process to be efficient. It is important to optimize the warehouse processes for the pick and pack process to optimize inventory management and reduce warehouse costs. Warehousing optimization helps to optimizes internal and transportation freight and reduces warehouse costs.
There are two main approaches to warehouse picking and packing. The first approach is known as mechanical picking and the second approach is known as automated picking and packing. Both methods use manual picking and packing. These methods differ primarily in the number of people employed and in the method of packing materials. Manual picking and packing methods use from three to five people while automated picking and packing methods employ from one to thirty people.
The pick and pack process involves many interrelated activities. Initially, before the items are packed, they are sorted and placed according to their type. This includes perishable items, bulk items, and discontinued items. After the items are sorted, they are transported to the receiving areas or pallet racks. From the receiving area, the items are stacked on the bottom or shipping side according to their shipping directions.
Once the goods are in position, they are packed with additional equipment such as boxes, crates, wrapping paper, or blankets. Once fulfillment have been packed, the goods are brought back to the pick and pack location. At this point, it is common to have a pick and pack manager and inventory supervisor responsible for the inventory, receiving and pick of ordered items, and the delivery of completed items to their designated destinations. Typically, the warehouse manager will maintain an inventory of each incoming and outgoing order, and the inventory supervisor will maintain a record of each order and its status.
The pick and pack process is much more automated than are many other warehouse processes such as wave picking and bucket pick. In addition, it is important that a warehouse operator fully understands the full implications of any decisions made regarding batch routing, zone picking, and wave picking. Operators should also be aware of potential adverse effects of their actions on the profitability of their operation as well as their relationships with their customers.