1. Human Errors

Human errors remain a risk in processes involving people. These can lead to incorrect picking, time wasted, and dissatisfied customers. Barcode scanners provide a solution by alerting pickers immediately when errors occur, allowing issues to be addressed quickly. This technology not only reduces mistakes but can even eliminate them entirely, resulting in a more efficient process and happier customers.

2. Incorrect Technology

With thousands of different versions of hardware and software available today, choosing the right technology for warehouses can be difficult. Expertise in tailored warehouse solutions is crucial. It's important to be well-informed about options like handheld scanners and hands-free wrist computers. Selecting the right technology is essential for maximizing productivity and ensuring warehouse efficiency.

3. Efficiency

Efficiency may be the most crucial factor in order picking. In outdated warehouses, it is often hard to measure performance, which hinders improvement. Solutions such as real-time reporting and analytics provide insight into the process, showing who picked the order, how efficiently it was done, and the current status of the process. This not only helps reduce errors but also enables continuous process improvement and better performance. Real-time visibility of order and truck status ensures pickers can be redeployed to other areas to provide additional assistance.

4. Labor-Intensive Work

When too many pickers work in the same areas at the same time, ROI can suffer. Employees may need to work overtime or deadlines may be missed. Automation can improve picks-per-person by up to 75%, leading to better prioritization of the picking process. Employees are guided from location to location, and urgent items are processed quickly. This approach reduces the time needed for a picking round.

5. Temporary Workers

Warehouses often face the issue of relying on employees who know the layout of the warehouse. Pickers need training on warehouse organization, which takes time and money and can compromise ROI, especially in environments where temporary workers play a significant role. An effective Warehouse Management System (WMS) optimizes warehouse processes' efficiency. Workers don't need to know the full layout, which is particularly beneficial for temporary workers who need to start quickly. This system ensures that items are always available in the correct place by scanning their locations, enhancing productivity and minimizing errors in the order-picking process.