Location selection for picklists

A product's stock can be stored at multiple locations. When creating a picklist, Picqer selects which location to use.

The picklist always specifies the exact location you should use. When picking the product and completing the picklist, Picqer deducts the stock from the listed location.

Which location is selected?

Picqer selects a suitable location based on the following steps:

1. Does the product have only one pick location? Then we use that location.
2. We use as few locations as possible. If 3 units need to be picked, we prefer locations with 3 or more units in stock.
3. If a location is already being used for other picklists, we use that same location. This reduces the number of different locations you need to visit in a day and makes it easier to group batches.
4. Next, we use temporary locations so they are emptied first.
5. Then we use locations with the lowest stock, as these contain likely open boxes/pallets and will reduce the number of required locations quicker.
6. If all locations have equal stock and none are being picked from yet, we use them in alphabetical order: B.2.5 before C.1.9.
7. If there is not enough stock at pick locations and picking from bulk locations is allowed, we select a suitable bulk location using the same rules above.

Examples

Some examples and the decisions made:

Location: B.12.88 – stock: 7 – on picklists: 3
Location: C.07.01 – stock: 3
In this case, we use location B.12.88 because it is already used on picklists.

Location: B.12.88 – stock: 7
Location: C.07.01 – stock: 3 – temporary location
Location: C.07.05 – stock: 1
In this case, we use location C.07.01 because it is a temporary location.

Location: B.12.88 – stock: 10
Location: C.07.01 – stock: 10
Location: C.07.05 – stock: 8
In this case, we use location C.07.05 because it has the lowest stock.

Location: B.12.88 – stock: 10
Location: C.07.01 – stock: 10
Location: C.07.05 – stock: 10
In this case, we use location B.12.88 because all stocks are equal and it comes first alphabetically.

Stock in containers

Containers are locations used to move stock through your warehouse. Because this stock is currently being moved and the container’s position isn’t always known, Picqer will never automatically select a container on a picklist.

If all stock is in containers, the ordered products will remain in backorder and no picklist will be created. Once the stock is moved from a container to a location, the backorders can be converted into picklists.

If a user moves stock from a listed picklist location into a container, the container name will be shown on the picklist.