Selecting full cases of a product during the order fulfillment process, rather than individual items from within those cases. This picking method is typically used for bulk orders, wholesale distribution, or when customers order products in case quantities that match the manufacturer’s packaging.
Case picking significantly improves warehouse efficiency by reducing handling time and labor costs compared to piece picking. Workers can move larger quantities faster using forklifts, pallet jacks, or other material handling equipment, making it ideal for high-volume operations. This method also minimizes the risk of product damage since items remain in their original protective packaging throughout the fulfillment process.
For example, a beverage distributor fulfilling an order for 10 cases of bottled water would use case picking to select complete cases directly from pallet storage locations, rather than opening cases to count individual bottles. Modern WMS solutions optimize case picking through directed putaway, slotting optimization, and pick path planning.
