Pick-Tote or Tote Picking is same as Cart Picking. The individual Tote with their ID can be mapped to Cart’s Bin.
Oracle WMS Cloud Tote Picking is an order fulfillment method that enables warehouse workers to pick multiple orders simultaneously into individual totes or containers. It is part of Oracle’s broader pick-to-carton, or “cubed picking,” functionality, which optimizes the use of packing materials and travel time by grouping items for multiple orders.
The totes, which function as “Outbound License Plate Numbers” (OBLPNs) in the system, are typically assigned to a pick cart. The picker then follows a single, optimized path to collect all items for the combined orders, placing each item into the correct tote as directed by the WMS mobile device.
How the Tote Picking process works
- Wave creation: The process starts with the creation of a pick wave for multiple orders. The system’s rules-based engine determines the appropriate inventory allocation and can perform cartonization, which calculates the optimal containers (totes) based on item volume, weight, and dimensions.
- Container generation: The system generates unique LPN barcodes for each tote and prompts for the container or shipping labels to be printed.
- Pick cart assignment: A warehouse worker scans a number of empty totes and assigns them to a mobile pick cart. The Oracle WMS mobile device receives the picking tasks, which are automatically grouped and sequenced to minimize travel.
- Directed picking: The picker follows the system-directed travel path, scanning the source location and item. The system guides the picker to place the correct quantity into the correct tote on the cart.
- Quality checks: Some items may require a “catch weight” confirmation, and the system can prompt the user to weigh the tote to ensure accuracy.
- Replenishment dependency: The system can alert pickers if an item is dependent on a replenishment task, which helps prevent short picks and backorders.
- Final drop: When the picking task is complete, the system directs the picker to a final drop-off location, such as a staging lane or a conveyor system for sorting.
Benefits of Tote Picking in Oracle WMS Cloud
- Increased efficiency and productivity: Picking for multiple orders in a single trip drastically reduces total travel time and optimizes the picking route, leading to higher picks per hour.
- Improved order accuracy: The system directs the picker to the correct items and verifies the placement into the proper tote, minimizing human error during the picking process.
- Reduced shipping costs: By using cartonization rules, the system optimizes the containers used, reducing packaging materials and maximizing space, which can lower overall shipping costs.
- Optimal space utilization: The use of cubed allocation and cartonization ensures that totes and pick carts are filled efficiently, which helps maximize storage and transport space.
Seamless integration: The process is supported by Oracle’s mobile and RF devices, which offer a real-time, user-friendly interface for warehouse workers.