Order Preparation for Businesses: Key Methods

Struggling to Optimize Your Order Fulfillment Process?

Discover how proven methods, strategic warehouse organization, and the right software can transform your operations into a well-oiled machine. With ETK Logistique, you’ll boost efficiency, reduce errors, and build customer loyalty thanks to end-to-end logistics excellence.

Understanding Order Fulfillment in Business
Effective Order Picking Methods
Warehouse Space and Storage Optimization
Technologies and Tools for Efficient Fulfillment

Understanding Order Fulfillment in Business

Definition and Importance

Order fulfillment refers to all operations involved in preparing a customer’s parcel. This includes picking items from the warehouse, packaging, and shipping. It represents a significant share of logistics costs and directly impacts customer service quality. Rigorous execution prevents errors, delays, and product damage—all major causes of dissatisfaction. ETK Logistique helps businesses streamline and optimize this process.

Efficient fulfillment directly influences economic performance and customer retention. Frequent errors or delays harm your brand reputation and generate additional costs. On the other hand, a well-structured organization improves productivity and reduces return rates. With the right warehouse management systems (WMS) and picking methods, companies of all sizes can control logistics expenses while enhancing customer satisfaction.

Key Steps in the Fulfillment Process

The order fulfillment cycle follows several consecutive stages:

Customer order received.
The system generates a picking list.
Operators retrieve items from shelves and check quantities.
Products are packaged and labeled.
Parcels are shipped.

Each phase must flow seamlessly into the next. Poor stock management slows down picking, picking errors complicate packaging, and unsuitable packaging exposes goods to damage. Conversely, careful planning, optimized warehouse layout, and partial automation reinforce the entire chain. With the right digital tools and trained staff, smooth coordination is ensured throughout the process.

The Impact on Customer Satisfaction

Flawless execution avoids costly mistakes and delays, the two main sources of customer dissatisfaction. Fast and accurate deliveries strengthen trust and encourage repeat purchases, making fulfillment a strategic driver of loyalty.

Studies show that logistics errors affect about 0.3% of orders, a measurable impact on reputation. One e-commerce company saw a return on investment in just four months after improving its picking system. By halving its errors, another company reduced claims by 40%. With a logistics partner like ETK Logistique, businesses can delegate operations while ensuring full traceability.

Effective Order Picking Methods

Introduction to Picking Strategies

Companies can choose from various picking methods, each with its own benefits depending on order volume and warehouse layout. The right approach boosts overall logistics efficiency.

Picking Method	Key Features	Suitable For / Costs & Benefits
Single Order Picking	One operator picks each order individually.	Small warehouses. Cost: Time-consuming for large volumes. Benefit: Simple to implement.
Batch Picking	Multiple orders prepared simultaneously with similar SKUs.	Businesses with large volumes of similar orders. Cost: Requires sorting area. Benefit: Reduces travel time.
Zone Picking	Warehouse divided into zones assigned to operators.	Large logistics centers. Cost: Needs consolidation area. Benefit: Streamlines flows.
Voice Picking	Voice technology guides operators with 99.8–99.98% accuracy.	E-commerce, urgent orders. Cost: Initial training. Benefit: Hands-free, fewer errors.
Pick-to-Light	Light indicators guide item retrieval at high speed (110–350 lines/hour).	High-volume warehouses & e-commerce. Cost: High investment. Benefit: Speed & accuracy.
Waveless Picking	Real-time dynamic task allocation.	E-commerce with tight deadlines. Benefit: Continuous flow and reactivity.

Choosing the Right Method

Key factors to consider:

Order volume – daily throughput.
Product nature – size, weight, perishability, fragility.
Automation level – compatible with technologies like pick-to-light.
Budget – balance between performance and investment.
Scalability – adaptable to future growth or product expansion.

Warehouse Space and Storage Optimization

Strategic Warehouse Layout

Optimizing space starts with a rational distribution of functional areas. Warehouses must include dedicated zones for reception, storage, picking, packaging, and shipping. Shorter operator travel distances = faster order processing.

Storage Systems Adapted to Product Types

Pallet racking → bulky or palletized goods.
Light shelving → small items.
Cantilever racks → long loads (pipes, beams).
Automated systems → high-volume activity.

The right system depends on weight, shape, and turnover rate. Fast-moving products are stored near packing stations; perishables follow FIFO (First In, First Out).

Optimized Stock Management

Fixed storage → permanent locations.
Floating storage → based on availability.
Hybrid systems → combining both.
ABC method → prioritizes items by movement (A = 80%, B = 15%, C = 5%).

This classification reduces travel distances and speeds up picking.

Technologies and Tools for Efficient Fulfillment

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

A WMS streamlines operations by providing real-time stock visibility, task automation, and error reduction. Solutions like 3PL Dynamics cut shipping times by up to 50%, while Speed WMS automates critical steps for smoother execution.

Innovative Equipment

Pick-to-light → high-speed guided picking.
Voice picking → hands-free accuracy.
Automated robots (AMR) → reduce operator travel (10–12 km per day saved).
IoT connectivity → real-time tracking of flows.

For example, retailer COVAP reduced errors by 95% through robotization, while operators reported better working conditions.

Conclusion

Efficient order fulfillment relies on optimized processes, the right technologies, and a logistics model centered on customer satisfaction. By adopting innovative solutions, you can streamline operations and minimize costly errors.

With ETK Logistique, transform your warehouse into a high-performing system—ensuring speed, accuracy, and reliability in every delivery.

FAQ

What is the average salary of an order picker?
In France, the average monthly gross salary is around €1,637 in 2024 (€19,646 annually). This varies slightly depending on experience and region.

Which documents are required in order fulfillment?
Key documents include the picking list (with order number, product references, quantities, and storage locations), pick slips, and consolidated control lists—available in paper or digital format via a WMS.

What are the main tasks of an order picker?
Order pickers handle goods reception, stock verification, picking, packaging, labeling, and stock tracking using IT systems. They also ensure warehouse cleanliness, safety compliance, and proper use of equipment.

What is a WMS (Warehouse Management System)?
A WMS is software designed to optimize warehouse operations, from inbound reception to outbound shipping. It provides real-time stock tracking, picking optimization, task prioritization, and multi-carrier shipping integration—improving productivity while reducing costs.

Order Preparation for Businesses: Key Methods