What is case picking?

Case picking is a process in warehouse management where individual cases or cartons of products are picked from storage locations to fulfill customer orders. This is a common practice in distribution centers, e-commerce fulfillment centers, and other warehouse operations.

Case picking can be done through various methods, including:

1. Piece picking: In this method, each individual case is picked one at a time and placed onto a pallet or cart for shipment.

2. Zone picking: This method involves dividing the warehouse into different zones and assigning workers to pick cases from designated zones. The cases are then brought to a central location for consolidation and shipment.

3. Batch picking: This method involves picking multiple cases at once to fulfill multiple orders. This can increase productivity and efficiency in the picking process.

Case picking is often done using manual techniques, such as by hand or with the assistance of picking carts or pallet jacks. However, there are also automated technologies available, such as conveyor systems, picking robots, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), that can streamline the case picking process and improve accuracy and efficiency.

Overall, case picking is a critical part of warehouse operations and plays a key role in ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment for customers. Efficient case picking processes can help to reduce labor costs, improve inventory accuracy, and enhance overall warehouse productivity.