Order picking process ( cluster type )

         

Overview of cluster picking :

In warehouse operations and logistics main concern is to pick material , because it’s the first step towards delivering the required material to its respective store. we can say that all activities in terms of warehouse operations and logistics are carried out for executing picking process.

So in todays  post we will discuss about type of picking which is very popular and effective over some other types of picking processes in some expects, as every process has its some specific pros and cons.

Today we will know about cluster type of picking.

• In cluster picking what type of resources are required and how cluster picking is different from batch picking.
• In which situation cluster picking is effective over batch picking. 
• what kind of process flow  takes place in cluster pick 
• what are the important things which should be considered during cluster pick.

                                       

Cluster picking process :       

Cluster picking is the type picking in which orders of multiple stores are picked at same time.  After receiving all stores ( customers ) material requirement, WMS ( warehouse management system )  team make allocation for cluster picking after analyzing quantity and number of different materials demanded by all stores.


 cluster picking is very effective type of picking when more quantity need to be pick and if there is wide variety of material demanded.

As name indicates cluster picking is nothing but collection of multiple store orders which are picked and packed at same time, picker first of all take boxes and pastes ids on each box where each box ids are assigned for respective store,  After that picking for each store is done separately in each separate box for each store.

The main difference between batch picking and cluster picking is that, in batch pick the quantity of particular material ordered in all stores is picked at once in which picker don’t have to visit same location again for same material and  once all material is picked after that it is sorted as per quantity ordered by each store .


 But in cluster picking there is no need to sort material for each store because picker picks material for each store in its separately assigned box for respective store. 

But  in cluster picking picker has to visit same location multiple times for picking same material for different stores. which increases the distance travelling of picker as he has to visit same locations again and again for different stores . Two pickers can pick in same zone in reverse and forward mode of pick.

 Cluster picking is more accurate than batch pick because it eliminates the storewise sorting where there are some chances of mixing wrong material with wrong store.

Cluster picking rules:

There are some rules must be followed during cluster pick because its is necessary for maintaining data and accountability and  for WMS system requirement.

Rule 1 :

One Box = One Store

It is very important in cluster pick to pick material storewise for which it is necessary to use single box for each respective store by using unique box ids for each box because in cluster pick sorting activity is eliminated that’s why single material in single box has to be picked.

Rule 2:

  While consolidation at packing area One Store = One Pallet

In packing area the picked material should be place in such manner that for every store there must be a pallet so that all picked  store material can be kept at one single pallet.

Resources required for cluster picking:

• ·        HHT (Hand held terminal)
• ·        Box and box ids
• ·        Trolly for handling boxes.