TABLE OF CONTENTS

The advantage of Batch Picking is it allows a User to pick multiple orders while making one pass through the warehouse. As the User is guided through the warehouse they are directed to pick product which satisfies all orders within the batch. Once picked the User is graphically directed to place the picked product into the correct order compartments.

Batch Pick Overview

A Batch is simply a group of orders, to be picked and organized onto a single cart. A Batch therefore is a group of Orders with the same Batch and Cart Type. Each Order of a Batch is assigned a unique Cart Compartment.


There are three ways a Batch may be defined.

  • Manually built in WOS Manager in the Batch Build screen
  • Dynamically built on the floor by the user in the WOS Operations Batch Build app
  • Pre-defined when orders are imported via the Host API

When the user initiates the app WOS Manager will do one of the following:

  • If the user logged off prior to completing an assigned Batch the user will automatically be direct to continue picking the Batch.
  • Assign the user the next Batch to be picked.

 

Once assigned, the Batch is now locked to the iPad Device (user). If the user exits the app to perform other functions and then returns to Batch Picking, they are directed to continue picking where they left off.

Once a Batch is completely picked the user will automatically be assigned to a new Batch.

Cart Picking 

If Cart Picking is enabled (the Picking -> Do Cart Picking permission is enabled) you will get the (below) cart input box when first starting the Batch Picking app. Scan a cart or enter the cart and touch <OK> button, otherwise touch the <Home> button in the upper left corner to return to the main screen. 




Once a cart has been entered, the Batch Pick List displayed with the current Cart. You may hit the <Refresh> button to enter a new cart.

Pick List

The pick list is the list of Pick(s) remaining for the current assigned Batch. In the example below the user is currently working on Batch – ‘Batch253’ and picking to Cart – ‘Cart01’. There are 4 remaining picks to perform.

The Pick(s) are ordered by the Pick Sequence number that is defined in the Pick Locations. The Pick Sequence directs the User in an optimal path through the pick list is the list of Pick(s) remaining for the current assigned Batch. In the example below, the user is currently working ‘Batch253’ in a warehouse. We recommend the User perform the picks in sequence to minimize backtracking.

Use your fingers to scroll the list if you need to skip or view picks off the screen. 

The Batch Picking app directs the User to Pick inventory and Put the inventory into the correct Cart Compartment. Below is an example of a list of Picks assigned to a user.


In this example Batch253 is assigned to a cart of type 2x2. Carts of 2x2 are defined to be configured as a cart with 2 shelves and 2 compartment on each shelf. The batch therefore consists of 4 Orders, each assigned to a specific compartment on the cart.

The user is being directed to Location (1-1-1-1) to Pick a Quantity (8) of Item (0401165). Once picked the user is directed to Put the inventory in the following Cart Compartments ( 2 in compartment A1, and 2 in compartment B2, 2 in compartment A2, and 2 in compartment B2).


Note: All Orders and/or Cart Compartment may not be displayed due to space constraints therefore only the first 4 Orders and/or Cart Compartments are listed.


The User will notice a <Reallocate> button (upper right) upon entering the Batch Picking app. This button clears the current allocations (Pick Locations) and re-allocates Pick Locations. This is very useful when a User is directed to a location that no longer has the required inventory, the User may re-allocate. If other inventory is available in the system, the User will be directed to the new Pick Location.

Start Picking

Scan the Location/Item to Pick or touch the Pick to be performed.

The following screen is displayed.


Once the User has physically picked the requested quantity from the location they touch the <Complete> button.

Put Picking

The following screen depicts a cart and its compartments. The highlighted compartments visually direct the User to Put the inventory into the correct compartments. Place 2 pieces of inventory into compartment A1.




In this example, the User is required to verify Location, Item, and Quantity, therefore a negative amount is shown in each compartment till the correct quantity is fulfilled. Once the quantity is verified for all compartments requiring that item, the next item on our picking list will be automatically pulled up ready to be picked and verified.


Notice in the screen below, the Pick is now green and completed. The User is ready to move to the next location 1-1-2-1.



Notice the plus and minus icons, which are used to modify the Put quantity. The User will not be allowed to put more than the requested quantity into the compartment. If assigned compartment cannot physically hold the product the User may place the product in the cart designated Overflow and set the Overflow indicator on in the compartment.


Below is an example of what a work-in-process screen may look like. Below compartment A1 has product in the Overflow area.



Once the User is satisfied that all the Puts have been performed, they click on the <Complete> button in the upper-right corner of the screen.

At any time if the user does not want to complete the pick at the current moment, they can click the <Cancel> button at the top-left. This will take them back to the picking list.

If the quantity picked matches the quantity requested, WOS Manager records the line as picked. 

If the quantity picked is less than the quantity requested the following pop-up is displayed:


         

    <Partial> Button: There are many reasons where a partial pick may be required. The criteria for a Partial Pick is:

o    The quantity picked is less than the requested quantity

o    User plans to complete the pick request from another location (could be the same location too).

The result of tapping <Partial> is:

o    The system will record the partial pick against the appropriate Order(s).

o    The system will create new pick request(s) (for the remaining quantity requested) against the appropriate Order(s). 

Note: The newly created pick request will still be allocated/assigned against the same location and device. The User's iPad immediately displays the summation of the newly created pick request(s)

o    At this time the User has the opportunity to:

  • Override the pick location to complete the request
  • Skip the pick request at this time
  • Complete the pick request short

         <Cancel> Button: If the User is unsure simple tap the ‘Cancel’ button to return to pick operation. No action is taken

        <Short Pick> Button: Typically, the Shot Pick option is only used when there is no more inventory in system. The criteria for a Short Pick is:

  • The quantity picked is less than the requested quantity
  • User has determined that there is no more inventory in the system therefore the Order(s) has to be picked short

The result of tapping <Short Pick> is:

  • The system will complete the pick request(s) short
  • The User will move on to the next pick request


Note: Short Pick - no longer clears inventory from Location.
The only way to manually clear inventory from a location is via Manage Inventory -> Pull or Move functions.


If the batch is NOT complete yet and the Picking->Auto Next Pick permission is enabled, the system does not return to the Batch Pick List when a user completes a pick. Instead, the system will automatically display the next Pick to perform. This is designed to minimize the user’s key strokes and help optimize the picking operation.

When a batch is picked to completion the Pick List will be displayed (all gray). The User has the choice to:

  • Exit the Batch Picking app by hitting the <Home> button
  • Continue picking by hitting the <Refresh> button. The next Batch will be assigned to the User 


Verification

If verification is required.

Pick screen verification options are: Picking -> Verify Location, Picking -> Verify Item.

Put screen verification options are: Picking -> Verify Quantity and Batch Pick -> Verify Cart Compartment.


If verification is required the current pick/put data (Location, Item, Compartment and/or Quantity) is color coded. The Colors are as follows:

  • Green - The field is verified
  • Yellow - The field is waiting to be verified. Use a scanner or virtual iPad keyboard to enter the data needed.
  • Red - The last entry was incorrect. Scanning the wrong location or item will cause a yellow field to turn red. 

Pick screen: When fields have been successfully verified, the fields turn green, and the <Complete Pick> button appears. The User picks the inventory and touches the <Complete Pick> button.

Put screen: When fields have been successfully verified the <Complete> button (upper right of screen) becomes available.


Batch Picking Pick verification screen: 

At the location, prior to completing the pick you may be required to verify the Location, and/or Item depending on your group permissions. In the above example Location must be verified. Notice the <Pick Complete> button is not visible. 



Batch Picking Put verification screen:

Below is an example of what a work-in-progress screen may look like when quantity verification and cart compartment are enabled. Notice the compartment A1 has the compartment verified and has started to verify the quantity, while compartment B1 has not yet been started.



In each compartment the requested quantity is initially displayed as a red negative number to the left of the quantity box. As the User scans each Item the quantity is incremented by one until the requested quantity is satisfied (negative quantity goes to zero).

When all fields have been successfully verified, or accurately reflect the User's actions, touch the <Complete> button at upper-right.

If any shorts are detected the User will be presented with the short processing as seen in the above section.

At any time if the user does not want to complete the pick, they can touch the <Cancel> button at the top-left. This will take them back to the picking list.

Additional Features

Auto Next Pick

If the Pick -> Auto Next Pick permission is enabled the system will automatically display the next pick request. Otherwise, the User may select a pick from the remaining list of picks. 

Batch Pick Before Puts

If the Batch Pick->Batch Picks Before Puts permission is enabled the User may pick multiple item lines prior to requesting to be directed to Put the product into the correct compartments.

Below is an example of what a Batch Pick List looks like when a User is performing Batch Picks Before Puts. All the completed Picks are highlighted in blue waiting to be Putaway.



When the User is ready to Put the product into the compartments simply scan an item they are holding (or touch the item line) and the system will display the Cart Put screen. Putting the product into the compartments and completing the operation will bring up the following screen. In this example, Item 0987813 was scanned and put into the appropriate compartments. Returning to the Pick List item 0987813 is now green (complete). The blue Items are still waiting to be Put into compartments. And the white items have not been picked yet.


Pick Location Override

When Picking -> Allow Pick Location Override flag is set the User may decide to Pick a product from a different location then the one selected by the system,


Simple touch the <Override> button in upper right of screen

The User is presented with a list of all locations where the Item currently resides.

The white lines are the optimal locations to pick inventory from.

The blue highlighted line informs the User that the full requested quantity can NOT be fulfilled from specified location. Or if the system is configured Allocation Algorithm-> Zone Picking, the location is associated to a different Zone than the Order.


Touch the new location to pick from or touch, the <Location Detail> to return to the original pick location.


Note: The blue highlighted locations are still available for picking, they are just not optimal locations.


When an override location is selected, the system returns the User to the Pick screen, reflecting the new location. The User would proceed to pick normally from the override location


Note: If an override location is selected the override location will persist for the duration of the picking session. This means that the Pick List screen will reflect the override location. Simply refresh the Pick List screen or exit the Single Pick app to reset, to the original Pick Location.


Show Remaining Quantity

If the Picking->Show Remaining Quantity flag is set the User will notice a difference in the Pick screen <Pick Complete> button.

Normally the <Pick Complete> button is green.

When the Picking -> Show Remaining Quantity flag is set, the system presents the User with additional information, the quantity remaining in the location.

Operations find this useful when picking large quantities or as a quick inventory accuracy check. The User may choose to set the location to be cycle count.


Set Location for Cycle Count

As a User is picking from a location they may determine or suspect that the inventory is not correct. When this occurs procedurally operations may want the User to set the location for Cycle Count. 



At any time in the picking process, simply touch the <Cycle Count> button at upper right of screen. A quick message will be displayed to notify the User of the action. Then the User continues picking.


Allow Pick Staging

Picked Carts may be placed in temporary staging locations while awaiting (Verify, Packing or Shipping).

If the Picking ->Allow Pick Staging flag is set, the User is prompted to scan/enter a staging location as each Cart is picked. The pop-up is triggered when an Order is successfully picked to completion or when a new Cart is requested (via <Stage Cart> button). The pop-up displays the Cart/Container to be staged and prompts the User to scan/enter the staging location.

If configured a Stage Location Trigger is sent to Host.



Batch Pick Skip

If the Picking -> Allow Batch Pick Skip flag is set, the User will notice an added Order Skip (X-box) button on each compartment of the Cart Put screen.



If the User chooses to skip an Order when picking an Item, they simple touch the Skip (X-box) button in the compartment associated with the Order.

In previous versions, the compartment would be highlighted in red and a green (checkmark-box) would replace the previous X-box.

Now that WOS supports partial picking, the Skip order process flows a little differently BUT, in the end the functionality is the same. Now when the Skip (X-box) button is tapped the system will change the pick quantity to zero. When the User taps the <Complete> button they will be prompted with the short pop-up screen. By tapping the <Partial> button the Order will be properly Skipped.


Note: A Skipped Pick remains allocated and assigned to a Device, to hopefully be completed at a later time.


Permissions and Restrictions

Some of the permissions have been discussed in the above examples. Below is the list of permissions and additional restrictions which will affect the Batch Picking operations.

Picking->Verify Location

Picking->Verify Item

Picking->Verify Quantity

Picking->Auto Next Pick

Picking->Allow Overpick – Not Implemented

Picking->Do Cart Picking

Picking->Complete on Verify Scans

Picking->Allow Pick Location Override

Picking-> Pick Staging

Batch Pick-> Verify Cart Compartment

Batch Pick->Batch Picks before Puts

 Batch Pick->Allow Batch Pick Skip

Maint->Items->Require Lot Number

Maint->Items->Require Serial Number