Wave Management

A process and WMS capability in which groups of orders from the overall order pool are selected for processing (order picking) based on attributes of the orders. For example, pick “waves” might be based on outbound carrier schedules, order priority, store groups in retail or many other variables. In advanced Warehouse Management solutions, wave selection criteria can be pre-configured and automatically released based on a schedule.

The WMS should also be able to trigger needed forward pick replenishments for the wave before it is released, and to balance work in creating the wave between different processing areas, such piece and case picking. There should also be flexibility in working across waves as needed, without needing to complete one wave before the next is released.