Multi-Item Batch (MIB) picking lets your team fulfill multiple orders simultaneously. Each order in the batch is assigned its own tote, and items are sorted into the correct tote as the picker moves through the warehouse, so no sorting is needed at the packing stage.
Before You Begin
- The ShipHero mobile app must be installed on the picker's device.
- Inventory must be in pickable locations. If orders are not appearing in the batch queue, see Troubleshooting: Why Is My Order Not Pickable?
- Totes must be available at the picking station before starting a batch.
For an overview of all available picking methods and when to use MIB vs. SIB, see Overview: Picking Methods in ShipHero. To use the updated mobile picking screens, see Overview: NEW Mobile Picking Interface and Workflows (Beta).
Table of Contents
- How Multi-Item Batch Picking Works
- How to Start a Multi-Item Batch Pick
- MIB Batch Settings in ShipHero
- How Multi-Item Batch Picking Handles Hospital Locations
How Multi-Item Batch Picking Works in ShipHero
When a picker starts a MIB batch, ShipHero assigns each order in the batch to a unique tote. As the picker moves through the warehouse, the app directs them to each pick location in sequence. At each location, the picker scans the item and scans the tote it belongs to. ShipHero tells them which tote is correct. Because orders are separated during picking, packers receive pre-sorted totes and can begin packing immediately without any additional sorting step.
MIB works best for orders with multiple line items or mixed SKUs. For high-volume operations where most orders contain a single SKU, see How to Single Item Batch Pick.
Want to guide pickers with LED lights instead of the app screen at each pick? Pick-to-Light hardware works with MIB. See Overview: Pick-to-Light in ShipHero.
How to Start a Multi-Item Batch Pick in ShipHero
- Open the ShipHero Mobile App and select Multi Item Batch from the dashboard. Alternatively, open the menu and navigate to Orders > Multi Item Batch Picking.
- Select the number of totes for the batch. Selecting 25 totes picks 25 orders. The pick list generates automatically.
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Go to the first location in the pick list. Scan the item, scan a tote, and place the item in the tote. Scan the tote again to confirm placement.
When an item belongs to an order already assigned to a tote, the app directs you to that tote. When it's a new order item, the app prompts you to scan an unassigned tote. If you scan a tote already in use or scan an incorrect item, ShipHero displays an error pop-up.
- If an item can't be found at its listed location, tap the item and select Report Issue. This flags the location as Hospital, removing it from the active pick route until a manager resolves the issue. ShipHero then looks for another pickable location that has the item and sends the picker there. See How Multi-Item Batch Picking Handles Hospital Locations for what happens when no other location has the item, and Using the Hospital Location Feature in the Mobile App for how to clear the flag.
- When all items are picked, tap Complete. To start a new batch, select a new tote count.
Enforce All Pick Scans: When Enforce All Pick Scans is enabled for a user, the picker must scan items to reach the full required pick quantity, and manual quantity entry is disabled. Turn it on for individual users under App Settings. See ShipHero User Settings Reference. This setting requires the updated Multi-Item Batch picking flow. If your account still uses the legacy flow, contact ShipHero Support to request access.
Important
If a picker's device loses power or network connection during a Multi-Item Batch, the batch cannot be resumed. Items already scanned into a tote stay there, but the batch has to be restarted. Check the affected totes on the Totes page and use the transfer method in How to Remove Inventory from a Tote to clear any partially picked orders so they can be picked again.
Pro-Tip
Tap Progress in the upper right of the pick list at any time to see how many orders are in the batch, which totes are in use, and how many items remain.
| Open MIB Picking | Enter Number of Totes | MIB Pick List | Tote in Use or Scan Error | Report an Issue |
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MIB Batch Settings in ShipHero
Two settings control how MIB batches are built and filtered. Both are configured per warehouse.
| Setting | Where to Configure |
|---|---|
| Default batch quantity | Sets the default tote count that appears on the batch start screen. Go to My Account > Settings > App Settings to set it. |
| Batch size and order sort order | Controls the maximum orders per batch and which orders are prioritized. See How to Optimize Batch Picking and Order Sorting Settings. |
| Required ship date filter | Limits MIB batches to orders due today or earlier. See How to Only Pick Orders with Today's Required Ship Date or Earlier. |
If batches are loading slowly, check the Replenishment Report to confirm inventory is available in pickable locations. See Overview: Replenishment Report.
How Multi-Item Batch Picking Handles Hospital Locations
When a picker reports an issue with a location during Multi-Item Batch picking, ShipHero marks the location as Hospital and looks for another pickable location that has the item. If it finds one, the picker continues from the new location. If no other location has the item, ShipHero removes the order from the batch by default.
Keep Orders in a Multi-Item Batch When a Location Is Marked Hospital
The Do Not Remove Order from Multi-Item Batch When Location is Marked Hospital setting keeps an order in its Multi-Item Batch when ShipHero can't find another location for the item. When the setting is off (the default), ShipHero removes the whole order from the batch. When it is on, the order stays in the batch and the picker can keep picking its other items.
- Go to My Account > Settings > App Settings.
- Select the Do Not Remove Order from Multi-Item Batch When Location is Marked Hospital checkbox.
- Click Save Changes.