What is Piece Picking?

Pick and Pack Solutions Explained

When it comes to order fulfillment, businesses with smaller warehouses or lower order volumes often benefit from a streamlined, straightforward picking strategy. Enter Piece Picking, a method that offers simplicity and precision for handling individual orders with care. While it may not be the most efficient choice for high-volume operations, for many small businesses, piece picking is an ideal solution.

What is Piece Picking?

Piece picking, also known as discrete picking or single-order picking, is an order fulfillment strategy where each item for an order is picked individually. Instead of gathering items in batches or zones, workers select each product one by one, making it a straightforward yet highly controlled approach. This method is widely used in pick and pack fulfillment operations, where order accuracy and attention to detail are essential. Piece picking is a process in which each order is handled individually. Warehouse workers receive a picking list for each customer’s order and move through the warehouse to locate each item. Once all items are picked, they are delivered to the packing station for packaging and shipping. The simplicity of this process makes it an excellent choice for businesses with lower order volumes or those dealing with complex, high-value products that require extra attention.

How Piece Picking Works

Order Received: A customer places an order, which triggers a pick list in the warehouse management system (WMS).

Item Selection: A warehouse worker retrieves the specific SKUs listed on the pick list, one by one.

Packing: Once all items are collected, they are taken to a packing station where they are prepared for shipping.

Shipping: The packed items are labeled and handed over to the carrier for delivery.

This approach prioritizes order accuracy and allows for real-time updates on inventory levels, making it a preferred choice for smaller orders or items that require special handling.

Benefits of Piece Picking

Accuracy: Because workers are focused on one order at a time, there’s a lower chance of mixing up items between orders. This makes piece picking particularly beneficial for businesses dealing with unique or high-value products. Simplicity: Piece picking doesn’t require complex planning or sophisticated technology, making it easy to implement in smaller warehouses. Ideal for Low Order Volumes: For businesses that don’t process a large number of orders each day, piece picking is a straightforward and cost-effective pick and pack method. Flexibility: It’s a great solution for companies that sell products with varying sizes and weights, or that offer customized products which need more attention during the picking process.

Real-World Example of Piece Picking

A small business selling handmade jewelry operates with lower order volumes, but each item needs to be handled with care. Piece picking ensures that every piece of jewelry is carefully selected, packed, and shipped to customers, reducing the risk of errors or damage during the picking process.

Other Picking Methods for Order Fulfillment

While piece picking is ideal for smaller warehouses or operations with lower order volumes, other pick and pack strategies may better suit your business’s specific needs:

Batch Picking: Efficient for high volumes of similar items, batch picking involves grouping multiple orders with similar items to minimize travel time, making it ideal for e-commerce and retail settings.

Zone Picking: Useful for larger warehouses, zone picking assigns workers to specific zones to pick items only within their area, reducing travel distance and increasing speed in high-volume environments.

Wave Picking: Often used in large operations, wave picking is a coordinated approach that combines elements of both batch and zone picking, making it effective for businesses managing high order volumes with diverse product types.

Each picking method offers unique efficiencies, and choosing the right strategy can significantly enhance order accuracy and fulfillment speed. For more insights into these techniques, explore our articles on Batch Picking, Zone Picking, and Wave Picking.

Costs for Pick and Pack Fulfillment

Understanding the costs associated with pick and pack services is essential for businesses looking to optimize their fulfillment budget. Factors like order volume, packaging materials, and labor costs can impact the overall price of pick and pack operations. To learn more about how pricing works and how to budget effectively for these services, check out our comprehensive guide on costs for pick and pack and see how you can get the most value from your fulfillment strategy.

3PL Center: Enhancing Piece Picking Efficiency

At 3PL Center, we understand that businesses come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their fulfillment needs. Our piece picking services are designed to cater to businesses with smaller warehouses or specialized product lines that require individual attention. By utilizing advanced warehouse management systems (WMS) and real-time inventory tracking, we ensure that each order is picked with precision and speed. Our experienced warehouse staff handles each order individually, ensuring your products are picked, packed, and shipped with the care they deserve. Whether you’re managing a small e-commerce store or handling high-value goods, 3PL Center’s piece picking services provide the accuracy and reliability your business needs.

Is Piece Picking Right for Your Business?

For businesses with lower order volumes or unique products, piece picking is a fantastic strategy to maintain accuracy and control over fulfillment processes. By outsourcing your pick and pack needs to a reliable 3PL partner like 3PL Center, you can ensure efficient, accurate, and cost-effective fulfillment while freeing up time to focus on growing your business. Interested in learning more about how 3PL Center can streamline your operations? Contact us today!

Piece Picking FAQs

What is the difference between piece picking and case picking?

Piece picking focuses on selecting individual items for customer orders, ideal for e-commerce or small-order fulfillment. In contrast, case picking involves picking entire cases or boxes, often used in bulk or wholesale orders where items are shipped in larger quantities.

What are examples of different order picking methods?

Some widely used order picking methods include piece picking (individual items per order), batch picking (picking multiple orders at once), and zone picking (where pickers work within designated zones). Each method is chosen based on order type, warehouse layout, and operational needs.

What is the piece picking process?

The piece picking process involves selecting individual items for each customer order. Once an order is received, workers use a picking list to locate items across the warehouse, retrieve them, and prepare them for packaging. This approach is efficient for low-volume orders or warehouses with varied products, as it prioritizes order accuracy over speed.