Ecommerce small-parcel
Many small orders, sharp peaks, carrier deadlines, and returns
Good place to startReview order sizes and popular products, compare multi-order picking, then check packing capacity
Common warehouse operation types
Start with how orders, products, and deadlines behave—not the industry name.
Two warehouses in the same industry can need very different workflows. Find the description closest to your operation, then use your own data to choose.
Not sure about a term? Open the plain-English glossaryThird-party logistics (3PL) / multi-client
Different client rules, changing order mixes, separate billing, and frequent change
Good place to startMeasure each client separately and favor equipment that can be rearranged when the work changes
Wholesale / case picking
Cases and pallets, loading-route order, staging lanes, and hands-free work
Good place to startMeasure walking and case handling, then compare zones, voice, and mobile-robot assistance
Manufacturing parts supply
Part lists and versions, kits, point-of-use delivery, and costly shortages
Good place to startDefine how a need is signaled, what each container holds, and how kits or line-side deliveries are confirmed
Maintenance and repair parts (MRO)
Many products, unpredictable demand, and urgent service work
Good place to startImprove inventory accuracy and urgent-order control before grouping many orders together
Store and customer order fulfillment
Store order groups, cartons or totes, route deadlines, and both each and case picking
Good place to startControl when work is released, how pieces are combined, and when the route is truly ready to load
Many products, lower volume
Many products, changing work, longer training, and more searching
Good place to startFavor simple instructions, clear visual guidance, and a strong problem process before large fixed equipment