What is Order Batching?

Order batching is a fulfillment strategy where multiple orders are grouped together and processed simultaneously rather than one at a time. Batching allows warehouse workers to pick items for many orders in a single trip through the warehouse, dramatically reducing travel time and increasing throughput. The batch is then sorted into individual orders at a packing station.

Why It Matters

In warehouse operations, travel time between pick locations typically accounts for 50–70% of a picker’s total time. Order batching attacks this inefficiency directly. Instead of walking the same aisle 10 times for 10 separate orders, a picker walks it once and collects items for all 10. This can double or triple picking productivity, which directly reduces labor costs and increases order throughput capacity.

How It Works

• Batch Formation: Orders are grouped based on criteria such as similar items, nearby pick locations, same shipping method, or same carrier. Intelligent batching optimizes for the shortest total pick path.
• Batch Picking: A picker receives a consolidated pick list for the entire batch. They travel through the warehouse once, collecting all items for all orders in the batch into a cart or tote system.
• Sort and Pack: At the packing station, the batch is sorted into individual orders. Each order is verified, packed, and labeled for shipping.
• Batch Size: Optimal batch size depends on order complexity, warehouse layout, and equipment capacity. Typical batches range from 10 to 50 orders for single-item orders, fewer for multi-item orders.

How Nventory Helps

Nventory’s intelligent order batching engine automatically groups orders based on pick path optimization, shipping deadlines, and carrier compatibility. The system creates batches that minimize warehouse travel time while respecting SLA constraints, ensuring orders are both efficiently picked and shipped on time.