Order Entry and Order Processing Tips

Here are a few tips for creating best practices around order entry and order processing.

Create an order entry system that allows for:

Orders can be accumulated ahead of when they need to be picked
Those orders can then be scheduled into picking waves
Strict guidelines are in place for last minute order changes
- Do not allow changes or additions to an order less than a day before it is due to ship
Send orders to warehouse picking in an orderly fashion
Handling back orders
- Ship order and cancel back-order items
  - Some suggest that if the inventory shows for a particular item out of stock at the time of order, it is better to ship the remainder of the order and request the customer to place the stock-out item on order again.
- If you hold the entire order until all items are in stock, this can cause inventory levels to rise
Group picks by zone
Track the number of picks by employee
Time stamp pick tickets with the start and stop times of the order being picked
- This helps calculate employees’ pick rates and productivity levels
Keep a record of shipments to customers by lot number
Consider bar coding to reduce keystrokes,
- This helps you keep a tighter control on inventory levels
- Mispicks are usually only discovered when the mistakes are not in the customers’ favor – bar coding reduces picking errors
- Helps control inventory shrinkage due to mis-picks
- Scanning a bar code is 5 times faster than keystroke
- Knowing your inventory levels helps you keep your inventory turns up and inventory levels down