Wave Picking requires hardware, software, and account-level configuration before pickers and packers can use it. Complete the three steps below to prepare your warehouse for its first wave.
Before You Begin
- User permissions: The roles assigned to setup staff need the Totes permission for tote and cart types, and the Settings permission for wave rules. Grant View and Create at minimum; Edit and Delete are required to change or remove existing configurations.
- Software requirements: ShipHero Mobile App v2.13.13 or higher on mobile devices, ShipHero Desktop App v1.1.0 or higher on pack station computers, and Pick-to-Light controllers running firmware v1.5 or higher.
- Configuration requirements: ShipHero Location Aware Picking enabled on your account and the ShipHero Pick-to-Light Kit installed on at least one cart. Your warehouse should also be mapped for optimized walking paths: Waves still works without mapping, but the picker loses the route-optimization benefit. Contact your CSM to get your warehouse mapped.
- Data requirements: Product dimensions populated for the SKUs you expect to wave-pick. SKUs missing dimensions fall back to a default capacity, which produces less efficient waves.
For an overview of how Wave Picking works and when to use it, see Overview: Wave Picking in ShipHero.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Set the Default Order Status and Tag for Wave Picking
- Step 2: Set Up Tote and Cart Types in ShipHero
- Step 3: Configure Wave Generation Rules in ShipHero
- Fine-Tuning Wave Picking Rules in ShipHero
- Replenishment Considerations for Wave Picking in ShipHero
Step 1: Set the Default Order Status and Tag for Wave Picking in ShipHero
A picker qualifies for a wave automatically when their default order status, and order tag if the wave rule uses one, matches the values set on the wave rule. Set both on the user record before running your first wave.
- Go to My Account > Users and select the user.
- Scroll to the Settings section.
- Set Default Order Status to match your wave rule configuration (for example, Today or Tomorrow).
- If your wave rule uses an order tag filter, set the user's order tag field to match it.
- Save.
Order Status and Tag Must Match the Wave Rule
If a picker's default order status or order tag doesn't match the values set on the wave rule in Step 3, that picker won't see wave batches. Check all three settings if waves aren't appearing.
Step 2: Set Up Tote and Cart Types in ShipHero
ShipHero uses your tote dimensions and cart capacity to calculate wave size. Create tote types first: you can't create a cart type without one.
Create a Tote Type in ShipHero
- Go to Settings > Tote & Cart Types.
- On the Totes tab, click Create tote type.
- Enter a name (for example, Standard, Small, or Large) and the tote's length, width, and height in inches.
- Click Create.
Create a Cart Type in ShipHero
- Switch to the Carts tab and click Create cart type.
- Enter a name (for example, Wave Cart).
- Under Cart capacity, select a tote type and enter the number of totes of that type that fit on the cart.
- Click Create.
Repeat for each cart configuration you run (for example, a 25-tote standard cart and a 12-tote small cart).
The cart's total weight limit is set on the wave rule in Step 3, not on the cart type. The cart type defines physical tote capacity only.
Pro-Tip
Packers scan the cart's Pick-to-Light QR code at the pack station to load the wave. Keep the QR code placard visible and accessible on each cart.
Step 3: Configure Wave Generation Rules in ShipHero
Wave rules control when ShipHero creates a wave. Each rule defines which orders qualify and which cart type the wave is built for.
- Go to Settings > Picking and select the Waves tab.
- Click Create wave rule.
- Fill in the rule fields, defined below.
- Click Create.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A label for this rule, for example Same-day, Next-day, or Standard. |
| Order status | Which orders the rule considers. Must match the default order status set for your pickers in Step 1. |
| Order tag | Optional. Limits the rule to orders with a specific tag. If set, must match the order tag set for your pickers in Step 1. |
| Cart type | The cart the wave is sized for. Select from the cart types you created in Step 2. |
| Min. orders | How many qualifying orders must accumulate before a wave triggers. A higher minimum produces denser waves but waits longer to trigger. |
| Weight limit | Maximum weight per cart for this wave. Default is 40 lb. |
Wave batches rebuild every 15 minutes: on the hour and at :15, :30, and :45. Changes to existing wave rules and newly created rules take effect at the next scheduled run.
Pro-Tip
When first training a team on Wave Picking, set a lower weight limit on the wave rule. Smaller waves mean fewer SKUs per cart, which shortens the learning curve before scaling up to full-size waves.
Fine-Tuning Wave Picking Rules in ShipHero
Adjust wave rules over time as you collect data on your operation. Lower the Min. Orders setting if you aren't generating enough waves. Raise it if you're generating too many small waves that don't justify the cart trip. Use the Order Tag filter to scope waves to specific channels or customer types where waves pay off most.
Replenishment Considerations for Wave Picking in ShipHero
Waves can pull large quantities of a single SKU in one visit, draining pickable locations faster than Multi-Item Batch (MIB) picking. Run the Replenishment Report more often when waves are active, and raise replenishment frequency for your top-velocity SKUs. If a location runs out mid-wave, the picker reports it from the app: see Handling Picking Exceptions During Wave Picking in How to Wave Pick in ShipHero.