Partial Picking Scenarios: Handling the Unexpected

In the world of warehouse operations, things don’t always go as planned. Whether it’s a misplaced item or a miscount in inventory, there will be times when you can’t fully pick an order. OTO PACK equips you with the tools to handle these situations efficiently, ensuring disruptions are minimized and operations remain on track.

Handling Partial Picking in OTO PACK Basic

Partial picking in OTO PACK Basic is a straightforward process but still provides warehouse managers with options to manage orders effectively.

Picking Process

• When a picker encounters missing items, they can confirm the picking process as complete using the OTO PACK Mobile App.

• A confirmation prompt appears, warning that further actions will be disabled for the order. Once accepted:

  • The Order Status changes to "Shipment On Hold By Warehouse."

  • The Packing Status updates to "Missing Item" or "Missing Item Click & Collect."

Handling Missing Items

Warehouse managers have multiple ways to address orders with missing items, all accessible from the Shipment On Hold page under the Shipments section:

1. Send Back to Pending: If the manager believes the order can be fulfilled after restocking or re-picking, they can send the order back to the pending stage for reprocessing.

2. Keep Until Items Are Replenished: The order remains on hold until the missing items are restocked in the warehouse.

3. Split Order: Ship the available items immediately while holding back the missing ones for a later shipment.

These options ensure that even when items are unavailable, operations can adapt to keep fulfillment running smoothly.

Handling Partial Picking in OTO PACK Advanced (Without Bin Tracking)

For users of OTO PACK Advanced without bin tracking, managing partial picking involves more advanced tools to streamline decision-making and order management.

Picking Process

• When a picker encounters missing items, they can confirm the picking process as complete using the OTO PACK Mobile App.

• The system updates the Order Status to "Shipment On Hold By Warehouse" and the Packing Status to "Missing Item" or "Missing Item Click & Collect."

Review Picking Form

A dedicated Review Picking Form allows managers to evaluate the order and decide on the next steps. Accessible from the Shipment On Hold page, this form includes key details like order ID, warehouse, packing status, and quantities picked.

Managerial Actions

Managers have three clear options for handling orders with missing items:

1. Send Back to Picking: Reassign the order to the picking team for a reattempt.

2. Mark as Partially Picked: Confirm that the order has missing items and move it to the next stage. This is ideal if the missing items are expected to be replenished soon or if partial shipment is acceptable.

3. Mark as Picked: Finalize the order as fully picked, even if some items are missing. This decision can be useful when items are no longer critical to fulfill.

Handling Partial Picking in OTO PACK Advanced (With Bin Tracking)

When Bin Tracking is enabled, the process becomes even more dynamic, leveraging waves to manage and allocate inventory accurately.

Dynamic Allocation

When a wave is completed and items are missing, OTO PACK Advanced automatically allocates picked items to orders:

• Orders with all required items are updated as "Picked."

• Orders with missing items are flagged as "Missing Item" or "Missing Item Click & Collect."

Wave Management

From the Wave Picking screen, managers can oversee wave statuses, such as:

• Completed: All items successfully picked.

• Partially Completed: Some items were missing.

For partially completed waves, the Start Wave Picking action allows managers to initiate the wave again to attempt picking the remaining items.

Post-Wave Actions

Managers have two key options for handling orders with missing items:

1. Split Order: Divide the order into two parts—ship the available items now and hold the missing ones for a later shipment.

2. Put On Hold: Place the order on hold until the missing items are restocked, ensuring it isn’t shipped until complete.

Key Takeaways for Partial Picking Scenarios

• Adaptability at Every Level: From Basic to Advanced, OTO PACK ensures warehouse managers have the tools to address unexpected scenarios with ease.

• Dynamic Allocation: In Bin Tracking setups, waves dynamically allocate items to orders, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.

• Flexible Decisions: Whether it’s sending orders back to picking, splitting them, or holding them until restocked, OTO PACK provides the flexibility to manage challenges effectively.

By using the tools and workflows outlined in this guide, you can navigate the complexities of partial picking while keeping your warehouse operations efficient and customer satisfaction high.