REDUCE PICKING ERRORS IN YOUR WAREHOUSE

Picking errors are deeply annoying, we can all agree on that. They delay processes, make customers angry, and costs your business huge amounts of money. But keep calm, there are plenty of things you can do to make picking errors fewer and your profitability higher.

So what is the solution to reducing manual picking errors? Firstly, you need to have accurate measurements. Don’t just look at costs for replacement and shipping – consider the entire chain. Then start at inbound goods and work through to delivery, analyzing potential error points throughout your inbound and outbound flows.

At inbound, weight, and scale dimensioning as well as scanning can improve processing through to put away and beyond. This gives you added traceability from the moment the product enters the warehouse and through all activities in the warehouse.

For picking, what systems can you implement to boost accuracy and stop picking errors? Consider voice control that guides workers on where to go and what to pick or improved instructions to prevent the pickers to get 10 pieces instead of 10 boxes. Or RFID tags that enable you to track each item’s precise location in the warehouse. Introducing extra verification during picking, by EAN, location, or package ID, is another suggestion.

Then you have your outbound flows. During packing, can you use smart scales to verify accuracy based on weight? And scanning on dispatch to provide a final check before exit.

When you take a holistic look at warehouse operations, you can perform an accurate cost/benefit analysis to make sure you’re investing in the right systems. An effective warehouse management system will ensure you can optimize the whole process of picking, packing, and sending. The WMS will give you the control, traceability, and efficiency you need to create a working environment that promotes both productivity and accuracy at the same time. This enables you to offer better service and more value to customers while protecting your business from the costly effects of a simple picking mistake.