How to pick orders in Pio

This guide will provide you with an introduction to the picking process. Once orders are received through your online store, they will automatically be transferred to Pio, where robots will locate the correct products in the grid and deliver them to a port.

The picking queue uses smart algorithms to make sure orders are processed and delivered to ports in the most efficient manner possible. However, Pio Admins can set rules to prioritize orders based on specific shipping methods or tags.

For more information on business rules and adjusting order priorities in the picking queue, please check these articles:
Rules for order prioritization
Change the priority of orders in the picking queue

Step-by-step intro to picking in Pio

This video will guide you through the process of picking in Pio.

Watch the video first and then explore additional step-by-step information below for more clarification.

Topics covered in this article

Preparing pick
Picking the products
Complete the order
Picking from shelf locations
View order details
Best practices
Scan out
Picking B2B orders with multiple product variants

Preparing pick

When you start picking, the system automatically prepares an order for you.

While you're waiting for the order to reach the port, you are presented with a preview screen that displays the following details in the header:

order number
store name
order note (if exists on order)
number of orders in the backlog

The main screen shows images of the products included in the upcoming order, which allows you to select the appropriate packaging for shipping.

This screen will also be shown while waiting for the next item to be picked. The item images will disappear as soon as you've picked the items, so that only the next products in the order will show.

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Picking the products

When a bin has arrived in the port, you’ll see a screen that gives you information on what to pick. On this screen, you will see:

Product information including an image, product title, SKU, and size
How many items to pick
Which compartment to pick from
How many items are currently available in the compartment you are picking from

This screen will also show you other useful information about the order such as:

The order number
The shop you are picking for
How many items are in the order
The selected shipping method
Order details button

When a customer has ordered multiple units of the same product, you will notice a visual cue on the compartment view. It will change its color from yellow to pink, indicating that you should pay extra attention during the picking process.

Once you have taken the product(s) from the bin, proceed to the next pick by clicking the 'Next pick' button.

You can also scan the products when you take them out of the bin. Each item that is picked from the bin must be scanned to complete the picking. When all the requested products are scanned, the system will automatically proceed to the next bin and you don't have to manually click the 'Next pick' button.

If there are more products to be picked for the same order, a new bin will be presented at the port. Repeat the same process until the order is complete.

Missing or damaged product?

In the event of any issues encountered during picking, such as missing products, always report them by using the flag button in the top navigation bar. This will trigger the deviation functionality.

Read more about how to report and resolve deviated orders here: Deviated orders.

If no further picks remain for the order, you will be directed to the ‘Complete order’ screen.

Complete the order

When you have picked all the order lines in an order, the last step is to print the shipping label to put on the package.

The shipping method chosen for the order will be shown in the bottom left corner of the 'Complete' page. Select the pencil icon next to the shipping method if you want to change it.

Selecting 'Next Order' will print a shipping label automatically, provided that you are integrated with a platform like Webshipper or Shipstation. The system will then present you with a new order and bin in the port.

If your system is not integrated with Webshipper, ShipStation or handled in your ERP integration, you will need to manually print out the shipping label using the tools provided by your shipping platform.

Picking from shelf locations

When utilizing the shelf item functionality in Pio for oversized products, the picking screen for such items will appear as follows, with the shelf location code indicated at the top of the page:

To pick the product, retrieve it from the physical shelf, click on 'Next pick' or 'Complete order', and you can proceed with the picking process in Pio as if you had just picked it from a regular bin.

In a warehouse with multiple oversized items stored in locations outside the grid, we recommend using the shelf pick and consolidation flow.

Read more on how to pick order lines from shelves in batches: Shelf picking - items in Pio stored on locations outside the grid

View order details

If you need more details about the order, tap the order number at the top of the screen.

This will display extended information about the order, including shipping method, customer's name and address, and product information.

To return to the picking view, use the 'X' in the top right corner or tap anywhere outside the order detail box:

Picking B2B orders with multiple product variants

When you receive large orders with products ordered in all the different sizes and colors, the same products will automatically be sequenced during picking.

Best practices

Scan out

If your products have barcodes, you can use a hand scanner to confirm when picking the products from the bins.

Exit picking flow

To avoid manual errors, try not to exit picking mid-way through an order. It is always better to finish picking one order and exit when a new order is displayed.

If you for some reason still need to exit picking midway, it is very important to mark the products you already picked with the order number (such as writing the order number on the cardboard box you’ve started filling with items or on a post-it note).

This is because an incomplete order might be presented in another port or to another employee later to be completed, and this helps them to find the items already picked and packed by you.

Issue shelf

Many companies have an ‘issue shelf’ or 'issue table' in their warehouse where they place orders that cannot be finished to make it easier to spot orders with errors or left incomplete.