What is a pick path?
A pick path is the order in which a picker visits locations on a pick list, set so the picker walks as little as possible.
Last updated
Why the order of picks matters
Walking is often the largest share of a picker's time. Visiting locations in a sensible order, instead of the order lines appear on the sales order, cuts that time.
A common pattern is serpentine, going up one aisle and down the next so the picker never doubles back.
Worked example
In this example, a pick list has 20 lines across 4 aisles. Picked in order-line sequence, the walk is about 620 metres.
Sorted into a serpentine route, the same list takes about 380 metres. Over 60 lists a shift, that is roughly 14 kilometres less walking.
How Waresify handles it
Waresify orders pick tasks by a pick sequence, the walk order of zones and of locations within each zone. You set it in the picking flow settings using serpentine, same direction, reverse or custom patterns.
A supervisor can also record a walk through the warehouse on a scanner, and Waresify builds the sequence from it. If you skip this step, Waresify generates a default route. Changing a route re-orders pending pick tasks straight away.
Questions
Is the shortest path always the best?
Not always. Heavy items may need to be picked first so they sit at the bottom of the cart, even if that adds a few metres.
Does the pick path change during the day?
In Waresify the sequence is fixed until you change it. Tasks a worker has already started keep their order.