Order picking refers to the process of assembling goods as part of order processing. Typically, this task is carried out by the designated warehouse employee, also known as the picker. In rare cases, the task can also be performed by machines. The responsible employee learns which goods need to be picked from a picking list or in digital form, for example, through voice-guided processes. Once the designated goods have been picked, they can either be shipped to the customer or loaded for further processing.

The method of picking, or the specific picking technique used, depends on various factors. Key factors include the specific characteristics of the items, the general structure of the warehouse, or external conditions, such as the expiration date of perishable goods. Established methods include the FIFO (first in, first out), FEFO (first expired, first out), and LIFO (last in, first out) approaches.

The picking process itself can be executed in two ways – either by the “goods-to-person” principle or the “person-to-goods” principle. As the names suggest, in the former, the goods are brought to the picker, while in the latter, the picker moves to the goods. The “goods-to-person” principle relies on automation, such as conveyor systems, while the “person-to-goods” principle focuses more on optimising the picker’s travel path.

The choice of picking method is up to each individual company. Regardless of the approach, order picking represents a central aspect of logistics that must be carefully considered in terms of both time and cost efficiency.