Order picking can be complex and error-prone, but there’s a solution: picking slips. Not only do they organize and facilitate the process, they also reduce errors. In this article, we’ll show you how these documents can transform your picking process.
Order picking is a crucial logistical operation requiring organization and precision. To ensure maximum efficiency in this process, picking slips are an invaluable tool. These detailed, structured documents help to streamline picking operations, minimize errors and guarantee fast, accurate dispatch.
Whether you’re a seasoned e-tailer or just starting out in online business, this article will provide you with essential information for optimizing your order-picking process.
What is a preparation slip?
A picking slip is an internal document containing all the necessary instructions for the operator in charge of picking orders. It acts as a roadmap for the operators responsible for assembling the items required for a specific order. Its main role is to ensure that each order is prepared accurately, completely and in line with customer expectations.
What is the purpose of a preparation slip?
The packing slip plays a crucial role in the shipping process. Here are some of its main uses:
- Package preparation: the preparation slip provides clear instructions on the products to be included in each package, their respective quantities and destinations. This facilitates the work of the dispatchers, telling them exactly what they need to collect and pack.
- Inventory verification: by comparing the products listed on the picking slip with the actual inventory, it is possible to ensure that all necessary items are available before dispatch.
- Tracking and tracing: the detailed information on the preparation slip enables parcels to be tracked and traced throughout the logistics process. This makes it easy to locate parcels when needed, whether to respond to customer requests or to resolve any routing problems.
- Returns management : in the event of returned goods, the packing slip can be used as a reference to check the conformity of returned items and facilitate the returns handling process.
Information on the preparation slip
A preparation slip generally contains the following items:
- Information on the order form: the order preparation form must include details of the company preparing the order, the order number of the picking process, the date, information on the operator responsible for preparation, the goods storage area, the type of shipment and the shipment number.
- Information on products to be picked : this central part of the order picking slip indicates the location of items in the warehouse, such as aisles, shelves and storage levels. It also includes the description of the goods, their internal code, the quantity required and the stock remaining after order picking.
- Remarks and validation : at the bottom of the voucher, a space is reserved for relevant remarks (damaged items, broken containers, etc.), as well as for the signature of the operator, the shipment preparer and the person responsible for the shipment.
Preparation slip generation methods
The generation of a picking order can be greatly facilitated and optimized by the use of a Warehouse Management System (WMS).
A WMS is software specially designed to efficiently manage warehouse logistics operations, including order picking. It offers a number of significant advantages.
Firstly, itautomates the generation of the order preparation slip. Once the system receives the customer’s order, it automatically generates the picking slip, including all the information required by the operators.
Thanks to its functionality for tracking the location of each product in the warehouse, the WMS shows the operator the aisles, shelves and storage levels where the required items are located. It also specifies the quantities to be picked. This automation considerably reduces the risk of picking errors, as the operator has precise, up-to-date guidance on the location and quantity of each product.
Last but not least, a WMS offers the flexibility to customize order picking slips according to the specific needs of each company. The information displayed can be adapted to meet internal requirements, while guaranteeing the necessary clarity and legibility for operators.
A WMS like Shippingbo differs from other WMSs in that it also integrates an OMS(Order Management System) and a TMS(Transportation Management System). This means it offers advanced capabilities for warehouse management, order management and transportation management. This integration enables harmonious synchronization between order preparation, inventory management, shipment planning and carrier management. With Shippingbo, companies can benefit from a complete and efficient process, from order receipt to shipment. The system automatically generates picking slips using information from the OMS system, guaranteeing data accuracy and consistency.
Customize your preparation notes by source or origin
Customizing picking slips according to order source and/ororigin is an effective way of improving the picking process. This approach promotes efficient organization and management of logistics operations, particularly for companies handling orders from different sources or platforms.
Most modern warehouse management systems (WMS), such as Shippingbo, offer features that enable picking slips to be customized according to the source or origin of the order. For example, if your company sells products via different online platforms (such as Amazon, eBay, or your own website), each platform may have its own specific order-picking requirements.
Shippingbo gives you the option of customizing your packing slips, for example by adding the unique product identifier (ASIN) for orders from Amazon, or by including special packing instructions for certain products ordered from your website.
What’s more, if your company has several warehouses or distribution centers, customizing picking slips according to the origin of the order can help to better organize workflow and avoid confusion. If an order must be picked in a specific warehouse due to stock availability, the picking slip can be customized to clearly indicate the specific location of products in that warehouse. If an order needs to be picked in a specific warehouse due to stock availability, the picking slip can be customized to clearly indicate the specific location of products in that warehouse.Customizing picking slips by source or origin makes the picking process more flexible and tailored to each situation, which can improve picking efficiency and accuracy, reduce errors, improve customer satisfaction and ultimately contribute to your company’s success.
Conclusion
A well-structured, customized picking slip is an essential tool for optimizing the picking process and minimizing errors. Whether using a warehouse management system (WMS) to automate and facilitate slip generation, or customizing slips according to order source or origin, the aim is toimprove processefficiency and ensure that orders are prepared and dispatched correctly and quickly.
Remember that every business is unique, and what works for one company may not work for another. So it’s important to adapt and tailor your logistics processes to your company’s specific needs. Don’t hesitate to try out different approaches, learn from your mistakes and always strive to improve your processes to achieve operational excellence.
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