Multi-Order Picking – A Smart Warehouse Solution to Maximize Performance

As e-commerce continues to grow rapidly, customers increasingly expect fast and accurate deliveries, while the number of SKUs keeps expanding. Warehouses are under unprecedented pressure. How can businesses increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and still maintain high accuracy?
One solution widely adopted today is multi-order picking combined with smart warehouse ASRS systems

What Is Multi-Order Picking?

Multi-order picking is a picking strategy where multiple orders are processed simultaneously instead of one by one. Warehouse operators collect SKUs for several orders in a single picking run and place them directly into dedicated bins or compartments. This significantly reduces travel time, increases picking speed, and optimizes labor utilization.

Compared to batch picking, multi-order picking sorts orders at the picking stage, helping reduce errors and shorten order fulfillment time. When integrated with ASRS, products are automatically delivered to operators in an optimized sequence, completely eliminating unnecessary travel within the warehouse.

Benefits of Multi-Order Picking in Smart Warehouses

1. Higher Picking Efficiency

Instead of multiple trips for individual orders, operators can process several orders at once, reducing wasted movement, increasing throughput, and handling more orders per shift.

2. Faster Order Fulfillment

With fewer picking cycles, orders are packed and shipped more quickly—especially valuable during peak seasons with high order volumes.

3. Improved Accuracy

Technologies such as pick-to-light, put-to-light, and WMS software minimize errors and ensure each SKU is placed in the correct order.

4. Optimized Workforce Utilization

Multi-order picking enables the same workforce to handle more orders, reducing labor costs and avoiding overload during peak demand.

5. Scalability

When combined with ASRS solutions such as VLM, VBM, and VCM, warehouses can scale throughput without increasing floor space or headcount.

When Should You Implement Multi-Order Picking?

Multi-order picking is particularly effective for warehouses with:

• High order volumes and overlapping SKUs – reduced travel, higher productivity
• Small to medium-sized orders – easy consolidation in one picking run
• Fast delivery requirements – same-day or next-day shipping
• Large or mixed SKU assortments – fewer picks, optimized labor
• Limited floor space – ideal when paired with VLM/VCM solutions
• ASRS – Nâng tầm Multi-Order Picking

ASRS – Elevating Multi-Order Picking Performance

Smart warehouse ASRS systems are the key to unlocking the full potential of multi-order picking.

• VLM (Vertical Lift Modules): Deliver items directly to access points with LED-guided picking
• VBM (Vertical Buffer Modules): Pre-stage totes by order, optimizing picking sequences
• VCM (Vertical Carousel Modules): High-density storage for small items with pick-to-light and put-to-light guidance
• Warehouse Management Software: Real-time inventory tracking, operator guidance, and performance analytics

With ASRS, operators can process multiple orders faster, reduce errors, boost productivity, and optimize warehouse space.

Real-World Case Studies

TSC – Canada:

• 15,000 SKUs with a wide product range
• Implemented VCM with the Power Pick System
• Results: 54% reduction in labor, 600% increase in throughput, 75% reduction in warehouse space, 99.9% picking accuracy

Kubota Canada:

• 78,000 SKUs, many picked only once per year
• Implemented Horizontal Carousel combined with VLM
• Results: 90% productivity increase, 83% reduction in warehouse space, Faster and more accurate operations

Why Implement Multi-Order Picking Today?

Multi-order picking is not just a trend—it is a proven solution for optimizing warehouse productivity, reducing costs, and improving accuracy. When combined with ASRS and advanced WMS software, it enables businesses to process more orders faster and scale operations without increasing labor or warehouse space.

Contact ETEK to Implement Multi-Order Picking

If your business is looking to optimize smart warehouse operations, improve performance, and reduce errors, ETEK’s expert team is ready to help. We assess your current processes, design tailored solutions and deploy scalable multi-order picking systems with minimal complexity.

👉 Contact us today to build a smarter, more efficient warehouse!