ShipHero supports several picking methods — each suited to a different order volume, team size, or warehouse layout. Choosing the right method reduces picker travel time and improves throughput.
Before You Begin
Picking methods are configured per warehouse. Confirm your warehouse settings are set up and your inventory locations are marked as pickable before enabling a picking method. See How to Create and Manage Locations in ShipHero.
For configuration options that control which orders enter a picking batch, see How to Optimize Batch Picking and Order Sorting Settings.
Picking Methods in ShipHero
| Method | Best For | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Item Batch (MIB) | Orders with multiple line items picked simultaneously across multiple orders | Pickers carry multiple totes. Each order is assigned a tote and items are sorted into the correct tote as the picker moves through the warehouse. No sorting step needed at packing. |
| Single-Item Batch (SIB) | High-volume of orders containing a single SKU, can be multiple quantities. | All orders in the batch share a single tote but can have a different item across the orders. Pickers collect each item into the shared tote. Items are separated by the packer at the packing station. |
| QR Code Picking | Bulk Ship batches where pickers need a guided location route without a full mobile session | ShipHero generates a Picking List QR Code for a Bulk Ship batch. Scanning the code in the mobile app walks the picker through each pick location in sequence. |
| Pick-to-Light | Warehouses using light-guided hardware to direct pickers to the correct bin without a mobile device | LED indicators mounted on shelving units light up to direct the picker to the correct location and quantity. Requires Pick-to-Light hardware installed and configured in ShipHero. |
| Location-Aware Picking | Warehouses that want AI-driven pick route optimization and picker performance tracking | ShipHero tracks picker movement against an AI-generated baseline for your warehouse layout. Enables the Picker Performance Dashboard and Score. Must be enabled by the ShipHero support team. |
| Mobile Picking Interface (Beta) | Warehouses using the updated mobile app experience with optional location scan enforcement | An updated mobile picking interface that supports both MIB and SIB workflows. Includes an option to require location scans at each pick. Enabled per account by the ShipHero support team. |
Get Started with Picking in ShipHero
| Task | Article |
|---|---|
| Configure batch picking settings | How to Optimize Batch Picking and Order Sorting Settings |
| Use Multi-Item Batch Picking | How to Multi-Item Batch Pick (MIB) |
| Use Single-Item Batch Picking | How to Single Item Batch Pick |
| Use QR Code Picking with Bulk Ship | How to Use Bulk Ship with QR Code Picking |
| Set up Pick-to-Light | Pick-to-Light Installation and Operation Guide |
| Use the Mobile Picking Interface | Overview: Mobile Picking Interface and Workflows |
| Troubleshoot picking issues | Overview: Picking Troubleshooting in ShipHero |