In the early days of the Internet, waiting a long time for a package was standard. Online orders took anywhere from several business days to a few weeks to arrive. While expedited options were available, they were usually more expensive.

Consumer behavior and expectations have changed significantly since then. In fact, a 2023 survey found that 48% of customers want delivery to be faster, while 43% want delivery to cost less. Meanwhile, a study of online shoppers found that 63% of consumers would switch retailers if they didn’t receive their orders within two days.

Simply put, customers expect their orders to be accurate and delivered promptly. As a result, e-commerce businesses work hard behind the scenes to ensure that orders are processed, packed, and shipped swiftly and accurately. Otherwise, they risk losing customers and damaging their reputation. 

One tool that helps businesses meet consumer expectations of fast delivery is pick and pack fulfillment. This logistics service allows businesses to process orders while minimizing delays, reducing packing errors, and preventing damage to goods. 

Below, we explore pick-and-pack fulfillment, its advantages for businesses, and how to know when to consider outsourcing these services to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.

Assembly Services & Packaging

What Is Pick and Pack Fulfillment?

Pick and pack fulfillment is a logistics process that combines two key steps: selecting items from a warehouse (picking) and preparing them for shipment (packing). This system allows businesses to handle orders that contain multiple items while maintaining efficiency and accuracy.

For instance, an e-commerce company selling electronics, clothing, and home goods. When a customer orders a smartphone, a jacket, and a set of kitchen utensils, each item is carefully picked from the warehouse and packed together for a single shipment. This streamlined process ensures that orders are fulfilled quickly and correctly.

Both small businesses and large enterprises use this process. For smaller companies, it may mean manually picking items from shelves, while larger enterprises might employ automated systems to speed up the process. Organizations of any size can also outsource pick and pack fulfillment to a third-party logistics (3PL) company. 

Regardless of the method used, the goal of pick-and-pack fulfillment remains the same: to give customers precisely what they ordered within their given timeframe.

The Role of Technology in Modern Fulfillment

Technology plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient pick and pack fulfillment. From automated sorting systems to real-time inventory management software, businesses leverage cutting-edge tools to speed up operations and reduce errors. Warehouse management systems (WMS) track inventory levels, streamline picking routes, and improve accuracy. By integrating technology into their processes, companies can scale their operations and meet growing consumer demand without sacrificing quality.

How Does the Pick and Pack Process Work?

  1. Order Receiving: The process begins when a customer orders through an online store or marketplace. The order details are sent directly to the warehouse management system (WMS), which provides the warehouse team with real-time inventory information.
  2. Item Picking: Warehouse workers receive instructions from the WMS, which guides them to the exact locations of the items in the warehouse. 
  3. Packing: After the items have been picked, they are moved to the packing station. Here, they are carefully packed using appropriate materials, such as bubble wrap, boxes, and envelopes, to safeguard the items during transit.
  4. Shipping: Once the order is packed and labeled with the shipping information, it’s ready to be handed over to the shipping carrier. Many businesses use automated systems to generate shipping labels and tracking information, streamlining this part of the process.

Companies often use technology like barcode scanners and WMS software to track products from the moment they are picked until they are shipped.

Pick and Pack Strategies

Businesses can adopt several pick and pack strategies depending on their order volume, warehouse size, and operational needs. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used methods:

  • Piece Picking: This is ideal for small businesses and companies with low order volumes. With piece picking, workers select items from the warehouse one order at a time. It’s a simple and straightforward process but can become inefficient if there’s a large number of orders to fulfill, as workers spend time walking back and forth across the warehouse.
  • Batch Picking: Batch picking speeds up the fulfillment process by grouping similar orders together. It is often used by companies that receive large orders or deal with multiple orders containing the same items. Workers pick items for several orders at once, reducing travel time within the warehouse.
  • Zone Picking: Typically used in larger warehouses, zone picking involves dividing the warehouse into specific zones. Each worker is responsible for picking items from their designated zone. If additional items are needed, the order is passed to the zone where these items are located. This reduces worker travel time and allows businesses to handle high volumes of orders with greater efficiency.
  • Wave Picking: With wave picking, workers pick multiple orders in specific time intervals, or “waves.” This strategy is a combination of batch picking and zone picking. It is often used by large-scale operations with high order volumes, as it allows them to handle many orders in a relatively short time efficiently.

Benefits of Pick and Pack Fulfillment

Implementing a pick and pack system offers several benefits for businesses, including the following: 

  • Cost Savings: An efficient pick and pack system reduces labor costs by streamlining the fulfillment process. Fewer employees are needed to handle large order volumes, and shipping errors—such as sending the wrong items—are minimized, reducing return costs.
  • Scalability: As your business grows, so do your order volumes. A well-organized pick-and-pack system is highly scalable, allowing you to handle more orders without sacrificing accuracy or speed. Whether you’re fulfilling a handful of orders or hundreds a day, this method can adapt to your needs.
  • Improved Accuracy: One of the most important aspects of any fulfillment process is accuracy. By utilizing technology such as barcode scanners and WMS platforms, businesses can ensure that the right products are picked and packed, reducing the likelihood of shipping errors.
  • Faster Shipping Times: Speed is a significant factor to consider in customer satisfaction. A well-optimized pick and pack system allows businesses to fulfill orders more quickly, leading to faster shipping times and happier customers.

Best Practices for Seamless Pick and Pack Fulfillment

Get the most out of your pick and pack fulfillment process by following these best practices:

  • Optimize Your Warehouse Layout: An organized warehouse layout reduces the time it takes for workers to locate items. Keep fast-moving inventory in easily accessible areas and ensure there’s a logical flow to the setup.
  • Use Technology for Accuracy: Leverage barcode scanners, WMS, and automated picking tools to reduce human error and increase efficiency. These help ensure the correct items are selected and packed for each order.
  • Regular Inventory Audits: Conduct frequent audits to determine whether inventory levels match demand. This helps prevent stockouts and overstocks, which can cause delays and impact customer satisfaction.
  • Train Employees: Well-trained employees are critical to a smooth fulfillment process. Ensure staff are familiar with the systems in place and understand the importance of accuracy at every step.

Signs It’s Time to Outsource Pick and Pack Services to a 3PL

While many businesses start by handling fulfillment in-house, there comes a point when partnering with a 3PL (third-party logistics) provider becomes the more practical solution. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to consider outsourcing picking and packing:

  • Increasing Order Volumes: If fulfilling orders in-house takes too much time and pulls resources away from other areas of your business, it may be time to outsource. A 3PL provider can handle high order volumes more efficiently, using their expertise and technology to keep operations running smoothly.
  • Storage Limitations: As your inventory grows, your current warehouse may run out of space. A 3PL provider can offer additional storage and handle your logistics needs. 
  • Error Rates Are Increasing: If mistakes in order fulfillment are becoming more frequent,  it could indicate that your current process isn’t scaling well with your business. If so, then it may be time to let a 3PL take over. 3PL providers specialize in fulfillment and have the systems to ensure orders are processed accurately.

Outsourcing to a 3PL allows businesses to focus on core operations while leaving the complexities of fulfillment to the experts. This can lead to significant cost savings and improved customer satisfaction.

Take the Next Step with Warehousing Pro

If you’re looking to streamline your fulfillment process and save time and resources, reach out to Warehousing Pro. We offer convenient and scalable picking and packing solutions as well as a comprehensive range of storage and fulfillment services. Whether you need help with order fulfillment or a place to store your inventory securely, you can rely on us.

Contact Warehousing Pro today for a quote, and let us help you take the next step in optimizing your logistics and improving your operations. You may also message us if you have questions about our services.