Pickliste
Also: Picklisten, Pick-Liste, Pick Liste, Kommissionierliste, Entnahmeliste, Picking List
AI-generated
A pick list is the working basis for order picking and tells warehouse staff which items to retrieve, in what quantity, and from which storage location. It can be provided on paper, as an MDE dialog, or fully digitally within a WMS.
Key facts
- The pick list controls the sequence and content of every picking task, making it the operational foundation of the warehouse process.
- It can be provided on paper, via MDE device, or in a fully paperless format as a Pick-by-Voice or Pick-by-Light signal.
- Route optimization within the pick list has a direct impact on picking time and warehouse throughput.
- Special requirements such as batch tracking, serial number tracing, or best-before date management must be configured in the WMS at the time of list generation.
- Data quality in the item master is an essential prerequisite for accurate, error-free pick lists.
What is a pick list?
A pick list is the central control document for order picking. It consolidates all retrieval tasks that a worker or automated system must complete within a picking order. Typical mandatory fields include storage location, item number, item description, quantity to be picked, order reference, and – depending on requirements – additional information such as batch number, best-before date, or serial number.
A pick list differs from a picking order in that it focuses exclusively on the retrieval task itself. A picking order may additionally contain resource assignments, time windows, priority classes, and process parameters.
How does the pick list work in practice?
The pick list is typically generated automatically by the Warehouse Management System (WMS) as soon as one or more customer orders are released. The system determines the sequence in which storage locations are to be visited. Common strategies include the serpentine route, where a worker moves through the aisles with as few detours as possible, and zone-based approaches, where the pick list is divided by warehouse area.
- Paper-based pick list: Traditional, but error-prone; still common in smaller warehouses or as a fallback option.
- MDE-assisted pick list: A mobile data entry device displays positions sequentially; confirmations are made by scan.
- Paperless picking: Picking information is communicated via Pick-by-Voice, Pick-by-Light, or AR glasses; a conventional list is eliminated, but the underlying logic remains the same.
Various validation steps can be integrated for quality assurance: barcode scanning of the item, checksum verification, weight checks, or image capture. The most appropriate combination depends on error tolerance, throughput, and regulatory requirements – this varies by vendor and process and cannot be answered in general terms.
What should you look for when selecting a solution?
When designing and selecting a system, you should evaluate the following points:
- Special cases: Can batch numbers, serial numbers, and best-before date requirements be configured individually per item?
- Route optimization: Does the WMS support dynamic route calculation or only static aisle sequences?
- Batch and multi-order picking: Can multiple orders be consolidated on a single pick list, and how are they separated at the end?
- Interfaces: How well can the pick list be integrated with ERP systems, MDE devices, and automated conveyor systems?
- Error handling: How are quantity discrepancies, missing items, or blocked stock reported and documented directly at the pick location?
The quality of the pick list is directly dependent on the quality of the master data in the item master. Incorrect storage location assignments or wrong units of measure will inevitably lead to mispicks and increased rework.
Related terms
- Akustische Kommissionierung
Acoustic order picking is a paperless picking method in which warehouse employees receive pick instructions via voice and confirm each step using spoken responses. Both hands remain free throughout the actual picking process.
- Artikelstamm
The item master is the central data repository that permanently stores all logistically and commercially relevant features of an item. It forms the basis for warehousing, inventory planning, picking, and billing.
- Artikelstammdaten
Item master data refers to the permanently valid base data of an item – such as dimensions, weight, packaging units, hazardous goods classification, and best-before date relevance. It forms the foundation for all logistical, procurement-related, and system-driven processes along the supply chain.
- Auftragsabwicklung
Order fulfillment refers to the complete process from receiving a customer order through to its successful delivery and invoicing. It encompasses all operational and administrative steps required to fulfill an order on time and without errors.
- Auftragspositionen
Order line items are the individual lines within an order, each describing an article, a quantity, and supplementary delivery conditions. They form the smallest controllable unit in order processing and serve as the basis for picking, procurement, and invoicing.
- Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
- Barcodescanner
A barcode scanner is an optical reading device that captures printed barcodes and converts them into machine-readable data. It is used in intralogistics for the seamless identification of goods, load carriers, and storage locations.
- Batch-Kommissionierung
Batch picking is a method in which multiple customer orders are consolidated into a single pick run. This allows the picker to travel one route while simultaneously covering positions from different orders.
- Beleglose Kommissionierung
Paperless picking refers to the assembly of orders in the warehouse without paper pick lists, where all instructions are transmitted digitally via terminals, displays, voice, or optical signals.
- Charge
A batch is a uniquely identifiable quantity of products manufactured or processed under identical conditions. It forms the basis for traceability, quality control, and legally required recall processes throughout the entire supply chain.
- Chargenrückverfolgung
Batch traceability refers to the complete and uninterrupted trackability of products and materials along the supply chain based on their batch assignment. It enables companies to quickly identify and selectively block all affected quantities in the event of a quality issue or recall.