The SKULabs Batch feature is a dedicated interface that automates many manual steps. It groups orders automatically, makes picking more efficient and checks order accuracy.
We strongly recommend it for some operations, but it's not the right fit for everyone. Some parts of the process are rigid and don't match every fulfillment operation.
SKULabs supports many fulfillment processes that work well for both large (>300 orders/day) and small (<50 orders/day) sellers. Reach out to our support team for a free consultation to design, adapt or create a process that works for you.
Simple order grouping for batch-like fulfillment (without the Batch feature)
These steps work on any plan and don't need the Batch feature. For best results, also turn on Batch Allocation (see the next section).
Sort the Orders list by the # items or Locations column.
Set your filters to show only Not started orders.
Set an advanced filter to exclude orders with the Printed tag, so you don't print the same orders twice.
Select 5-20 orders.
Print a pick list for the full stack of orders. Optionally, print several paper pick lists and split the pick list at a SKU.
Print packing slips. SKULabs automatically tags these orders Printed, so they can't be printed twice by accident.
Pick your items using the paper pick list. Do one pass through the warehouse to pull all of your items, then bring them back to a packing table. Don't worry about accuracy at this stage. If accuracy creates inefficiencies, we have other processes for that as well.
All items should now be on the packing table, along with one or more stacks of packing slips.
Scan a packing slip, find the items in front of you, and scan each item to verify it's the right one. Put it in a box.
When that order is fully picked, SKULabs prompts you to ship it or scan another packing slip. At this stage you can split packing and label printing between different people.
Optionally, have someone verify the order a second time before packing, by scanning the packing slip again or clicking Re-verify order.
Batch Allocation: send each printed order to its own bin location
Batch Allocation is a free feature that makes printing groups of orders work more like a batch. Contact our support team to turn it on for your account.
The problem it solves: when you print packing slips for several orders that need the same item, every slip normally shows the same first bin location. Pickers then go to that bin for every order, even when it doesn't hold enough stock for all of them.
How it works:
When you print packing slips for two or more orders at once with a LiquidJS (V2) template, SKULabs divides the stock in each bin location between the orders, in print order. The first orders use up a location's stock before later orders are sent to the next location.
Each printed slip shows the locations set aside for that order, so pickers aren't sent to a bin that's already been emptied for another order.
SKULabs remembers the stock it set aside. If you print another group of orders later, those orders are sent to the stock that's still free, not to stock already set aside for orders you printed earlier.
Printed orders can get the Batch Allocation tag, so you can see and filter them on the Orders list. Choose when it's added in the Tag Batch Allocation printed orders printing setting (packing slips and pick lists, packing slips only, pick lists only, or never).
The stock set aside for an order is released automatically when the order ships, is canceled, archived or deleted, or is reset to Not started. On accounts that deduct inventory per scan, each item is released as it's scanned. Old reservations also expire on their own.
SKULabs Batch feature
The Batch feature automates this process. It automatically selects orders that are not started, have available inventory and are approved to ship, and it can prioritize express orders over standard orders.
Batch is not included on every plan. To add it, contact our sales team. If your account already includes Batch, contact an implementation specialist to set it up.