Picking Linnworks orders in Pickscan

Choosing a picking method

Pickscan offers three distinct picking methods to suit different warehouse operations. You can choose between Order Collection Picking (single order picking), Batch Picking, and Pick Note Scanning, and switch between them based on your operational requirements.

Order Collection Picking

Order Collection Picking is the default picking mode in Pickscan. Pickers work on one order at a time from start to finish.

This method provides a straightforward, linear workflow where each order is picked entirely before moving to the next. When a picker selects an order, it is locked to prevent other users from accessing the same order, and the picker proceeds to scan all items for that specific order.

Once complete, the order is marked as processed in Linnworks and the picker moves to the next available order.

This picking style is suited to:

• Smaller warehouses
• Operations prioritising simplicity and ease of training
• Scenarios where items need to be sorted by order with no additional packing stage

Because each order is completed before starting the next, there is no need to sort items later — everything is already organised by order.

Batch Picking

Batch Picking groups multiple orders together into pick batches, allowing pickers to collect items for several orders in a single pass through the warehouse.

The system automatically generates pick batches from open orders based on factors such as shipping service or courier (see Pickscan batch pick algorithms). Batches can be generated automatically on a schedule or manually triggered when needed.

When a picker selects an available batch, the entire batch is locked to prevent other pickers from accessing it, and a tote is automatically assigned for tracking. The picker then proceeds through the warehouse, scanning all items required for all orders in the batch during a single pass.

Unlike Order Collection Picking, items are collected together without being sorted by order at this stage — the sorting happens later at the packing station using pack locations assigned to each order. Once all items in a batch have been picked and all orders have been packed, the batch is marked as complete.

This picking style is suited to:

• Warehouses with large order volumes
• Operations with dedicated packing stations
• Scenarios where you need to minimise walking time

The trade-off is that Batch Picking requires a packing stage to sort items by order, but the reduction in warehouse travel time makes it efficient for high-volume operations.

Pick Note Scanning

Pick Note Scanning combines the convenience of printed pick notes with digital picking. It is suited to operations that print pick notes as part of their existing workflow but want to use Pickscan's digital scanning and validation.

Pickers receive printed pick notes as usual, but instead of manually checking off items on paper, they scan the barcode on the pick note using the Pickscan mobile app. Scanning the barcode displays the order details on the mobile device, allowing the picker to begin picking with full digital tracking and validation. The picker then scans all items for that order, with the system providing real-time feedback and ensuring accuracy through barcode validation.

This picking style is suited to:

• Warehouses with an established routine of printing pick notes
• Operations transitioning from paper-based to digital picking
• Teams that want to keep printed pick notes as a backup reference