Question

1. A distribution center manager is debating between implementing single order picking and zone picking. The distribution center serves regional distribution of Pepsi Co. products, including various beverages and snack foods. Beverages and snack foods are distributed either by cartons (which are then repackaged in the center as full pallets) or full pallets.
   1. List personnel requirements for both single order picking and zone picking.
   2. List material handling requirements for both single order picking and zone picking.
   3. Which method should be implemented?

Answer 1

Let us first understand the meaning of Order Picking, " Order Picking simply means when any organization or company keeps it products for warehousing to further provide it or distribute it to the end user or customer is known as order picking. It is basically concerned with the picking the orders from the organization and providing it to the customer's as per their demand. It's main focus is on providing the customer;s with the demanded products which satisfies their needs and wants". It provides a solution to the company with their supply chain.

Single Order Picking Method:-Single Order Picking is also known as piece order picking. This is one order picking method and is popularly used. Single Order Picking means when any distributor picks or collects the products or goods which are necessary for one order. This method is useful for those shop which deals in retail management.

Zone Order Picking Method:- Zone Order Picking Method is another method of order picking. This method of order picking is totally different that from single order picking. In zone order picking the distributor or the collector can collect all the products of same variety from the company.

Let's understand these methods of order picking with the help of an example;

For instance let us take the example of electric gadgets. In single order picking the distributor will only pick or collect the data according to single order of any shop or as per the requirements of the customers. But whereas in zone order picking the distributor can or will collect all the electric gadgets be it small or any part of any other electric gadgets.

b. Material requirement Equipments means the equipments concerned with the movement, storing, controlling and protecting of the materials, goods and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal.

Single Order Picking is also concerned with the single order of any customer. In this method the material handling of products will mainly focus on providing the products to its customers at their location as per their demand. Whereas, in the zone order picking method material handling is very important because in this method the products needed to be controlled and protected from damage.

c. Single Order Picking is beneficial for the company where the products needs to be provided to the customers directly to the customers and as per their demand.

But in this case the company is Pepsi Company and deals with the beverages and snack foods so the distributor should go for Zone Order Picking because of these reasons which are as follows:

1. It will provide customers with all the products being manufactured and provided by the organisation.

2. The customer will have the choice among the beverages and snack foods of the Pepsi Company.

3. The customer will not be fixed on one product of the company.