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Wave picking policy

A wave picking policy is a reusable set of rules that a wave follows. Instead of configuring each wave from scratch, the warehouse defines a policy once and selects it when preparing a wave. The policy decides the picking strategy and which optional steps the wave runs.

What a policy controls​

  • Methodology — the picking strategy: Discrete, Batch, or Cluster. This decides how orders are grouped into pick work.
  • Require replenishment before picking — when on, the wave waits for replenishment to finish before picking can start; when off, picking begins right away and any stock still on its way shows up as a debt position on the picks.
  • Use sorting — when on, the wave runs a sorting step (used with batch picking) and the wave needs a Sorting location.
  • Use packing — when on, the wave runs a packing step and the wave needs a Packing location.
  • Allow additional picking — when on, extra unplanned picks may be added to the wave on top of the planned work.

Cluster-only fields​

When the methodology is Cluster, two more fields appear:

  • Cluster container count — how many containers (orders) ride on the picker's cart at once.
  • Cluster container type — the kind of container used for the cart.

How it shapes the flow​

The policy is what makes the wave-picking flow longer or shorter: each "optional" phase in that flow is present only because a policy toggle turned it on. Choosing a policy when preparing the wave therefore decides, up front, the path the wave will take.