GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Order picking methods

Order picking methods are the fundamental physical principles by which items are retrieved from inventory and assembled into customer orders.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kommissionieren

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Order picking methods are the fundamental physical principles by which items are retrieved from inventory and assembled into customer orders. The main variants are man-to-goods (the picker travels to the items – flexible but travel-intensive), goods-to-man (items are conveyed automatically to a stationary picker – faster but capital-intensive), and fully automated picking without human intervention. The choice depends on order structure, warehouse scale, number of SKUs, and available capital budget. Unlike the picking strategy – which governs how orders are organisationally grouped – the method defines the basic physical movement within the warehouse.

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Batch Picking Logistics

Batch picking is a warehouse order-picking method where one employee collects items from multiple customer orders in a single, con…

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Pick to Box

Pick to box is a picking method in which items are selected directly into a shipping container as the order is assembled, with eac…

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Sequence-Based Stock Rotation

Sequence-based stock rotation is a picking method in which inventory is not withdrawn according to general principles such as FIFO…

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Single Order Picking

A picker completes all item collection for a single customer order in one continuous tour through the warehouse, without simultane…

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Pick to Tote

Pick to tote is a warehouse picking method where staff place items directly into reusable containers (totes) rather than into indi…

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Pick by Scan

Pick by Scan is a warehouse picking method in which the picker scans a barcode or QR code at the storage location and on the artic…

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Order picking methods

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Related Terms

Batch Picking Logistics

Pick to Box

Sequence-Based Stock Rotation

Single Order Picking

Pick to Tote

Pick by Scan

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