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 AI algorithms to make sure orders are processed and delivered to ports in the most efficient manner possible. However, Pio Admins can set rules that 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:
How to set rules for order prioritization?
Can I 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.
Begin by watching the video, and then explore additional step-by-step information below the video for further clarification.
Topics covered in this article
Preparing pick
Picking the products
Complete the order
Picking from shelf locations
View order details
Scan out
Picking B2B orders with multiple product variants
Best practices
Preparing pick
When you start picking, the system will automatically prepare an order for you.
While you're waiting for the order to reach the port, you can check out a preview screen that displays the products included in the upcoming order. This allows you to select the appropriate packaging for shipping:
Picking the products
When a bin has arrived to the port, you’ll see a screen that gives you information what to pick. On this screen you will see:
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Product information including an image, product title, SKU and size
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How many items you need to pick
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What compartment to pick from
This screen will also show you other useful information about the order such as:
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The order number
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How many items are in the order
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The selected shipping method
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If there is a specific message relevant to the order
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 red, indicating that you should pay extra attention during the picking process.
Once you have taken out the product(s) from the bin, proceed to next pick by clicking the 'Next pick' button.
You can also scan the products when you take them out from 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 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.
In the event of any issues encountered during picking, such as missing products, it is advisable to report them using the deviation functionality.
Read more about how to report deviated orders here: Deviated orders.
If there are no further picks remaining for the order, you will be directed to ‘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 on the 'Complete' page. Select the the pencil-icon next to the chosen 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 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.
Read more: How to integrate with Webshipper
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 code indicated under "Shelf Location":
To pick the product, simply retrieve it from the physical shelf, click on 'Next pick', and you can proceed with the picking process in Pio as if you had just picked that item from a regular bin.
View order details
If you need to see more details about the order, simply tap on the order number located 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 picking view, use the 'X' in the top right corner:
Scan out
If your products have barcodes, you can use a hand scanner to confirm when picking the products from the bins.
Read more: Pick orders using a hand scanner
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.
Read more: Product sequencing for large orders
Best practices
To avoid manual errors, try not to exit picking mid way through an order. It it 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.
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.
More details can be found here: Can I exit picking in the middle of an order?