What Is Wave Picking?

Wave picking is an order-picking system that involves picking multiple items in the same trip, based on a common factor such as delivery time, storage zone, item similarity, or carrier. Rather than picking items after each order, orders are grouped and picked in scheduled time intervals called waves. Managers must plan waves around employee shifts and shipping deadlines. Wave picking allows warehouses to reduce delays, to minimize bottlenecks, and to improve efficiency.

How Wave Picking Works

All orders are grouped by the warehouse manager or a WMS (warehouse management system) based on specific criteria such as warehouse location, shipping schedule, or carrier type. A group is assigned to a picker in regular time intervals. The picker uses a cart or a tote and travels around the warehouse to pick all items in the group. Then, the items are sent for sorting and packing.

Wave Picking vs. Other Picking Methods

• Batch picking: With this method, orders are picked in one trip, increasing efficiency. In wave picking, the focus is on when they’re selected.
• Zone picking: All items come from a single zone to improve accuracy and to reduce travel time. Wave picking takes into account additional criteria, such as shipping schedule, carrier, delivery zone, and warehouse priorities.
• Discrete picking: A single picker collects all items in an order at the same time. It’s suitable for low-volume, high-accuracy requirements. In wave picking, the picker collects similar items from different orders at once.

Benefits of Wave Picking

• Minimizes lead times to meet delivery deadlines by taking into account orders, resources, and shipping schedules
• Improves productivity by assigning staff and equipment to different items and locations, reducing congestion and inefficiency at the warehouse
• Offers real-time insights into order processing and helps track orders
• Helps pick a large volume of orders with higher accuracy
• Enables quick, effective order processing for high-value or perishable items by picking them right before shipping
• Reduces operational costs by using labor and equipment efficiently