Wave picking
Quick answer
Grouping orders into planned waves to sync picking with routes, carriers and shipping deadlines.
Key takeaways
- Orders are grouped by criteria: carrier, geographic zone, product type, deadline
- Each wave is released so goods are ready just in time
- Frequently combined with batch and zone picking
What wave picking is
Wave picking organises picking into waves (groups of orders) released at planned times, to align picking with external events: carrier pickup time, route departure, a retailer's deadline.
How it works
- Orders are grouped by criteria: carrier, geographic zone, product type, deadline
- Each wave is released so goods are ready just in time
- Frequently combined with batch and zone picking
When it helps
Ideal for operations with many shipments on fixed routes (retail, distribution, e-commerce with carrier cut-offs). It reduces dock waiting time and avoids end-of-day congestion.
How CRMconnect helps
CRMconnect OMS + WMS groups orders into waves based on carrier cut-offs and SLA priorities, auto-releasing each wave to maximise on-time shipments.
Real-world example
An online retailer with 3 carrier cut-offs/day had congestion and missed shipments. With wave picking in CRMconnect across the 3 waves, same-day shipping rose from 82% to 97%.
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Frequently asked
Difference between wave and batch picking?+
Batch picking groups orders by common SKU for picking efficiency. Wave picking groups orders by shipping moment (carrier, route). They are often used together.
When is wave picking worth it?+
When you have multiple external deadlines (routes, carriers, retailers). It syncs picking with departure time, avoiding goods picked too early or too late.
How is a wave released?+
The WMS releases the wave at the optimal time, accounting for the picking, packing and loading time needed so goods are ready exactly at the carrier/route cut-off.
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
Picking
The process of retrieving products from warehouse locations to fulfil an order - the most costly warehouse activity.
LogisticsBatch picking
Picking several orders in one warehouse pass, grouped by common SKUs.
LogisticsZone picking
Dividing the warehouse into zones where each operator picks only in their zone, with orders passing between zones.
LogisticsWMS (Warehouse Management System)
The system orchestrating physical warehouse operations: receiving, putaway, picking, packing, shipping.