Understanding the True Cost of Warehouse Mis-Picks

understanding the true cost of warehouse mis picks
In this guide, learn why it is essential that laborers avoid warehouse mis-picking to avoid increased operational costs and unsatisfied…
Written by Amanda
July 27, 2023
}

[wtr-time]

Share

[responsivevoice_button]

In this guide, learn why it is essential that laborers avoid warehouse mis-picking to avoid increased operational costs and unsatisfied…
Written by Amanda
July 27, 2023
}

[wtr-time]

[rank_math_breadcrumb]

[responsivevoice]

In the bustling, multifaceted environment of a warehouse, accuracy and precision are paramount. With numerous processes happening simultaneously, from receiving goods to dispatching them, every single procedure must be flawless.

One of the most critical areas where precision is non-negotiable is the picking process. A mis-pick, an incident where a wrong item gets picked for an order, can create a ripple effect leading to incremental costs affecting not just the warehouse operations but the company’s rapport with its clients as well. Warehouse mis-picks are easily avoidable when using the right techniques and technology to supplement your everyday operations.

In this short guide, we’ll delve deeper into the intricacies of warehouse mis-picks, their underlying costs, and potential strategies for minimizing mis-picks.

Understanding Mis-picks in a Warehouse Environment

In essence, a mis-pick occurs when an employee selects the incorrect product during the order-picking process. This simple error can significantly disrupt the flow of operations within the warehouse, leading to additional costs and potential customer dissatisfaction.

The Pervasiveness of Mis-picks

Warehouse mis-picks aren’t anomalies in a warehouse environment. Given the sheer volume of operations, especially in eCommerce where the average order contains 3 units, human errors are not just possible, they are probable.

In warehouses without strategies in place to reduce the recurrence of mis-picks, significant associated costs will come along.

understanding the true cost of warehouse mis picks

The Unseen Costs of Warehouse Mis-picks

At first glance, a mis-pick might seem like a minor inconvenience. However, when you start to unpack the repercussions of this seemingly small mistake, you begin to understand its true cost. These costs aren’t confined to tangible ones; they can extend to intangible areas like customer satisfaction and business reputation.

Labor Costs

Every error made in the picking process represents an investment of time, effort, and resources that did not result in value. Identifying the mistake, rectifying it, re-picking the correct item, and repacking the order, all entail additional labor costs. It’s like paying twice for work that should have been done correctly the first time.

Shipping Costs

If the mis-picked item reaches the customer, it will likely need to be returned and replaced with the correct item. This doubles the shipping cost for the affected order and introduces additional complexities into the equation, such as processing returns, which can be a complex and time-consuming task.

Impact on Customer Satisfaction

The value of customer satisfaction cannot be overstated in the age of online shopping, where consumers have a plethora of options at their disposal. A single mis-pick can lead to a dissatisfied customer, tarnishing the customer’s shopping experience, and potentially damaging your reputation if the customer shares their negative experience online.

Lost Sales and Business Opportunities

A dissatisfied customer may opt to shop elsewhere in the future, translating to lost sales for your business. Additionally, mis-picks can lead to inventory inaccuracies, which might result in out-of-stock situations, further leading to missed sales opportunities.

Strategies for Minimizing Warehouse Mis-picks

Given the high costs associated with warehouse mis-picks, it’s essential for businesses to take proactive measures to minimize their occurrence.

understanding the true cost of warehouse mis picks

Investment in Employee Training

The importance of well-trained staff in a warehouse environment cannot be overstated. Regular training updates on picking procedures can help your team stay keen to best practices and significantly reduce the risk of mis-picks.

Leveraging Technology

Warehouse management systems (WMS), such as Shipedge, play a critical role in minimizing mis-picks. These systems, armed with features like real-time inventory tracking and barcode scanning, drastically improve the accuracy of the picking process, thereby reducing the risk of mis-picks.

One feature, in particular, has helped users of Shipedge ensure that their warehouse team is selecting the right item as they pick it. When laborers use the Shipedge app on their Android devices, an image will appear to confirm that the item they’ve picked is correct.

In addition to real-time inventory tracking, barcode scanning, and picking confirmation, advanced WMS solutions also provide in-depth insights into warehouse operations, helping identify potential problem areas and enabling continuous improvement.

Discover how our WMS can improve your business

Optimizing Warehouse Layout

A well-structured and logically organized warehouse can facilitate a smooth picking process. Grouping similar items together and placing high-demand items in easily accessible locations can reduce picking times and minimize the likelihood of errors.

Over the past decade, Shipedge has been conducting warehouse research to determine the best way to organize a warehouse. Learn more about the best way to set up your warehouse for success in the short video below:

Implementing Regular Audits

Periodic checks on the accuracy of your picking process can help identify recurrent issues, allowing you to address them before they snowball into larger problems. By using a WMS, you can easily check the picks-per-hour of each warehouse team member, as well as their picking accuracy. With the use of Shipedge’s app, picking errors should be near 0%, and picks-per-hour should dramatically increase when the warehouse is organized properly. Shipedge’s WMS will automatically route pickers in the most efficient way depending on the locations of the items waiting to be picked, and the particular needs of the company.

Utilizing Advanced WMS Solutions like Shipedge

Implementing a robust Warehouse Management System like Shipedge can be a game-changer for minimizing mis-picks. Designed with user-friendliness and functionality in mind, Shipedge is equipped with features like real-time inventory tracking and barcode scanning, ensuring that the correct items are picked each time, thereby drastically reducing the chance of mis-picks.

Moreover, with a systematic record-keeping feature, Shipedge ensures transparency and traceability, providing a clear trail of which employee picked and packed each order. This not only instills accountability among the workforce but also allows for quick identification of the warehouse mis-pick and rectification of errors, preventing the costly event of a customer receiving an incorrect item.

While it’s imperative to note that even with the best systems in place, human errors can still occur. Having the right tools significantly reduces the likelihood of warehouse mis-picking and offers an effective strategy to mitigate the impact of these mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the costs associated with warehouse mis-picks is the first step towards developing a strategy to mitigate them. By investing in proper staff training, leveraging technology, optimizing the warehouse layout, and implementing regular audits, you can dramatically reduce these costs. Minimizing mis-picks with an advanced WMS solution like Shipedge can be pivotal in this aspect, offering features that enhance accuracy, improve efficiency, and ultimately, support customer satisfaction. Every warehouse mis-pick avoided is a step towards improved operational efficiency and a better bottom line.

Discover how our WMS can improve your business

[/responsivevoice]

Post Tags

Download Now

In a hurry? Save this article as a PDF.

Tired of scrolling? Download a PDF version for easier offline reading and sharing with coworkers.

Subscribe via email

Search for content

More from Shipedge Blog

Preparing For Holiday Fulfillment in 2024

The holiday season is a critical time for retailers, manufacturers, and 3PL providers. It's a period marked by increased demand, tighter deadlines, and heightened expectations from consumers. is no different, with a predicted surge in online shopping and the...

A Guide to Achieving Scalability in 3PL Operations

The third-party logistics (3PL) industry is constantly evolving. With the rise of e-commerce, globalization, and new technologies, 3PL providers face increasing pressure to expand their services while maintaining efficiency and control over their operations....

12 Factors That Affect Shipping Costs

Shipping expenses encompass various aspects, such as materials, labour, and various supply chain operations responsible for delivering goods to the final consumer. Unfortunately, these expenses are often not broken down and explained, leaving shippers unaware of the...

Top 10 Best Ways to Reduce Warehousing Costs

Efficient operations are the key to staying ahead. While there are numerous strategies businesses explore, one objective remains constant: the drive to reduce warehousing costs. Balancing this need for cost-efficiency with maintaining top-tier service is a challenge,...

The Role of Warehouse Design in Reducing Labor Costs

Warehouse operations are no longer just about the storage and retrieval of products. They are the central hub of a company's supply chain and play a critical role in determining efficiency, productivity, and overall operational costs. One of the most significant...

6 Signs You Need Warehouse Management Software (WMS)

Effective warehouse management is essential for companies to maintain competitiveness and meet customer expectations in today's dynamic and constantly changing business world. This is where a Warehouse Management System (WMS) becomes invaluable. In the ever-changing...

How Shipedge Helps Reduce Shipping Errors and Returns

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, efficient and accurate shipping is crucial for customer satisfaction and business success.  Shipping errors and returns can significantly impact the profitability and reputation of online retailers. However, with the right...

How to Manage Seasonal Inventory Fluctuations in Your Warehouse

Seasonal inventory fluctuations can significantly impact the success of your eCommerce business. Properly managing inventory during peak seasons requires careful planning, forecasting, and efficient warehouse operations. In this blog post, we will explore strategies...

Blog Categories

Blog Tags

[taxopress_termsdisplay id=”1″]

DOWNLOAD THIS POST NOW

shipedge uncategorized
In a hurry? Save this article as a PDF.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES

More Posts About Warehouse Management

Leave your comment

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Omnichannel Platform Designed to Automate and Simplify

Inventory, Order Management, Purchasing, Fulfillment, Shipping, and more…

Omnichannel Platform Designed to Automate and Simplify

Inventory, Order Management, Purchasing, Fulfillment, Shipping, and more…

shipedge product banner 03
shipedge platform products

Lets see how Shipedge can help your organization with a Free Consultation!

Reduce operating expenses, unlock additional revenue, reduce operational risk, and grow your organization.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

shipedge platform products

Lets see how Shipedge can help your organization with a Free Consultation!

Reduce operating expenses, unlock additional revenue, reduce operational risk, and grow your organization.

You have Successfully Subscribed!