Discrete picking describes a traditional approach in warehouse logistics, where an employee collects the items for each order separately. Using a packing slip that contains the storage locations of the items, the employee moves through the warehouse to pick the required items. At the packing station, an optional quality or serial number scan can be performed to verify the items and ensure error-free delivery.
Tip
For each delivery note, you go through the entire warehouse once and pick individual items into a box (or for a pallet).
When you receive an order through your shop system, a marketplace, manually, or via imports from third-party systems, it is seamlessly integrated into the shipping process. You can transfer orders to logistics individually or in batches, automatically, and based on predefined rules. Then, for each order, you go through the warehouse separately with the packing slip. The packing slip shows you the printed storage locations so that you can efficiently pick the items for the respective order. At the packing station, you have the option to perform a quality or serial number scan to verify the items. Alternatively, you can proceed directly from scanning the packing slip or an item to generating the shipping label and preparing the shipment for handover to carriers such as DHL, UPS, or for Click&Collect pickup.
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Discrete Picking (with packing slip and printed storage location, optional: packing station scan): This method allows you to collect items for each order separately. You process one order at a time and move through the warehouse for each packing slip individually. The goal is to maximize accuracy by focusing on one order and minimizing errors or mix-ups.
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Order-Specific Picking: Each order is handled separately, meaning you focus on one order at a time. This helps minimize mix-ups and increases accuracy.
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Packing Slip Utilization: The packing slip shows you the storage locations of the required items, allowing you to navigate the warehouse efficiently. Ensure all storage locations are correctly logged to speed up the process.
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Employee Knowledge of Warehouse: Discrete picking is particularly efficient when employees are familiar with the warehouse structure and inventory. This reduces search time and improves efficiency.
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Quality and Serial Number Scans: You can optionally perform a quality or serial number scan at the packing station to ensure the correct items are selected for the order. This minimizes errors and ensures quality. Alternatively, use the option to move directly from scanning the packing slip or item to generating the shipping label, speeding up the shipping process.
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Handling Large or Bulky Items: Discrete picking is well-suited for large or bulky items that require special care and attention, such as B2B pallet shipments.
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Short Distances in the Warehouse: This method is particularly efficient in smaller warehouses with short distances, as handling one order at a time can be inefficient over longer distances in larger warehouses.
Tip
How to Perform Discrete Picking: Print all packing slips for a picking run at the warehouse printer. Use the packing slip to identify the storage locations of the required items. Collect the items for each order sequentially and place them in a bin reserved for that order. Ensure the items are clearly separated to avoid mix-ups. At the packing station, you can optionally perform a quality or serial number scan to ensure all items are correct. Alternatively, move directly from scanning the packing slip to generating the shipping label, accelerating the shipping process.
This method is ideal for minimizing errors and ensuring precise picking, especially for orders with many, specific, or high-value items.
The shipping handover is the step where you ensure that all verified orders are handed over to logistics and have a green light, such as confirmed inventory, completed payments, correctly calculated shipping costs, and adhered credit limits.
You can hand over these orders individually or in batches, either manually with a click of a button or automatically through pre-set processes. For high order volumes, you also have the option to create pick lists on a timed schedule and automatically forward the orders to logistics.
For more information about the shipping handover and automation options, check out the article: Handover of Customer Orders to Logistics.
Once you initiate the shipping handover, the selected orders are transferred to Xentral Logistics. This means that the orders are systematically processed in the background according to the criteria you have set. Orders are sorted into batches, pick lists are generated, and they are handed over to the 'Shipping Center,' ready for logistics to start the picking process.
For the discrete picking process: After the shipping handover, the orders are printed individually at a printer as 'delivery notes + storage location' or 'picking lists' and are listed in the shipping center. The picking process can begin.
Begin a picking run with Delivery Note or Picklist:
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Start the pick for a single order using the delivery note or the pick list, and collect all parts for this order in one pass through your warehouse:
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Delivery Note + Storage Location: The delivery note provides you with the following information per item: article number, article description, storage location for stock removal, and the quantity of the ordered amount.
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Pick List: The pick list shows additional information per item: delivery note number, EAN, customer name, and available stock at this storage location. You can choose your own sorting: either by delivery note order or optimized for the warehouse route.
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Once you have picked all the parts, you can either pack this order or start another pick run for the next order.
Pick of an Item with Expiry Date (Best before Date):
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You set the batch and expiry date for items in the item master data and Stock.
In the logistics process, you can choose whether batches are automatically assigned and printed on the delivery note, or if you prefer to capture them by scanning at the packing station.
Pick with EAN:
Note
You set the EAN for the item in the item master data.
In the logistics process, you can choose whether EANs are allowed to be scanned at the packing station.
Route Optimization (example for route planning)
The packing process typically includes several specific steps, such as assembling products at the packing station, securing the products in boxes, adding packing materials, sealing the packaging, and finally attaching shipping labels or package markings.
Afterward, tracking numbers are sent to your customers, and the goods are picked up by the shipping carrier.
For 'Discrete Picking,' the packing process usually follows immediately after the picking:
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Move your fully stocked cart/box/pallet with parts directly to a 'packing station' (i.e., shipping station) for further processing.
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Through the 'Xentral Shipping Center,' you can scan the delivery note or pick list to receive the order for packing.
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At this point, you can also decide if an additional quality scan of the items in the shipping carton should be performed. You may also capture serial numbers and print or email shipping documents, such as the delivery note, invoice, duplicate invoice, or pro forma invoice.
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Options for configuring the packing process (using the Xentral Shipping Center) and further information can be found here:
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Picklisten Profile / Kommissionierregeln Bundling of orders in picking runs is also possible within the Shipping Center.
Setup and Configuration Steps:
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System Activation: Select a logistics process for 'Delivery Note with Warehouse Location' in the project settings.
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Optional: Configure Order Management: Define the prioritization method for orders, e.g., FIFO or by urgency. Configurable settings for assigning orders to picking runs.
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Adjustments at the Packing Station: Configure quality checks and document generation (delivery notes, shipping labels). Adjustable options for printing invoices and handling export orders.
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Additional Settings for the Picking Process: Customize warehouse route optimization for more efficient picking when using the pick list.
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Guidance on configuration options in the process flow:
Picking Process:
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Order Selection: Decision-making options for order prioritization method and picking run assignment through pick list profiles.
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Item Collection: Activation of specific information requirements like expiration dates and batch numbers based on product requirements in the item record.
Packing Process:
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Packing Preparation: Adjustable quality assurance measures and verification procedures.
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Document Creation: Flexibility in generating and printing delivery notes and invoices, especially relevant for B2B and export businesses.
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Final Shipping Preparation: Options for final scanning and tracking assignment to enhance accuracy and customer communication.
Settings for Shipping Process and Picking/Settings Pick/Commissioning (Level 1):
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Select the picking method ‘Delivery Note with Warehouse Location + Automatic Inventory Deduction + Scanning in the Shipping Center’ if you want to perform quality checks with a scan of the items during the packing step at the shipping station. Optional: Without a quality scan in the shipping center, use 'Delivery Note with Warehouse Location + Automatic Inventory Deduction'.
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Choose the printer for delivery notes, e.g., in your warehouse: ‘Document Printer Level 1 (Pick/Commissioning).’
Packing Settings at the Shipping Station (Level 2):
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Select the delivery note printout at the packing station if your customer should receive a paper delivery note in the package.
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Alternatively, you can have the delivery note sent by email when the item is finally packed. This applies to all shipments booked to this project.
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The printing of all delivery notes for commissioning is necessary at Level 1. You can include these in the package. If you have printed a pick list, you can alternatively print the delivery note at the packing station at Level 2.