Contributing Author: Nagarjuna Gutti
Bulk picking (sometimes called bulk task generation) is a pick method where the system groups multiple pick lines for the same item from the same location into a single pick task—reducing travel, handling time, and operational overhead.
The system groups pick tasks only when they satisfy criteria like the same item, same source subinventory, the same locator, and the same revision. Rather than picking items one order at a time, bulk picking consolidates work so that a picker can pick large quantities in one go and deconsolidate later during drop or staging.
In previous releases, bulk tasks for WIP jobs were created only during Component Pick Release—meaning sales order and work order bulk creation were inconsistent. Bulk picking, particularly in the context of Warehouse Management System (WMS), has seen several enhancements, especially in newer versions like 12.2.15.
Key enhancements in Bulk Picking in Oracle Apps R12.2.15 include:
1. The “Mixed Bag” – Combining Bulk and Traditional Picks
Prior to this release, a Transfer LPN (License Plate Number) could only contain bulk picks or traditional picks, but not both.
The Change: You can now load both bulk pick tasks and traditional (individual) pick tasks into the same LPN.
Benefit: Provides higher flexibility when picking from the same location for different types of requirements.
Technical Note: A new hook, Mix_Bulk_Ind_Tasks(), was added to the public API WMS_BP_CUSTOM_USER_PUB to allow users to configure this behavior.
2. Bringing Bulk Picking to the “Factory Floor” (WIP Support)
The bulk picking process has been synchronized across Sales Orders and Manufacturing Work Orders.
The Change: You can now run a concurrent process, Generate Bulk Task for WIP Jobs, to build bulk picks at any time after Component Pick Release.
The Process: It groups all lines allocated for the same component from the same location into a single large task. Operators pick the total quantity in one step and then deconsolidate them during the “Pick Drop.”
Restriction: Currently does not support lot or serial-controlled items for WIP bulk picking.
3. Rule-Based Enhancements
The WMS Rules Engine has been improved to better handle how bulk tasks are assigned and executed.
Classification-Based Guidance: The rules engine can now guide put-away and pick operations using classification codes, allowing for more granular control over which items qualify for bulk picking.
Pick Slip Grouping Rules: Users can now use specific “Default Bulk Picking” rules during the release process to automate the creation of these tasks rather than relying on manual intervention.
Review following documents for more information:
KB839644 Oracle Warehouse Management Release Notes for Release 12.2.15
KB824141 12.2.15 Bulk Pick Enhancements – Allow Bulk Picks and Traditional Picks into the Same LPN