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Use wave picking when several orders should be picked together before operators pack each order. A wave creates one pick list with consolidated item quantities, then opens the batch packing workflow for the orders in that wave.

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Before You Build A Wave

Confirm these details before creating the wave:
  • You are working in the correct entity and warehouse location.
  • Orders are ready for the status filter you plan to use, such as unfulfilled.
  • Inventory, holds, and order review work are clear enough for the selected orders to be picked.
  • Operators know whether the wave should be grouped by location, carrier, same SKU, or a custom strategy.
Warehouse pick lists queue with grouped pick work

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Build The Wave

  1. Open the wave builder from fulfillment.
  2. Enter a wave name that operators can recognize on the floor.
  3. Choose the grouping strategy.
  4. Set the order status filter.
  5. Set the maximum order count for the wave.
  6. Create the wave.
Wave pick builder with name, strategy, status filter, and maximum orders

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What Arcus Creates

When the wave is created, Arcus:
  • Selects eligible orders for the active location.
  • Creates a draft wave pick list.
  • Adds the selected orders to the wave.
  • Consolidates pick quantities by SKU, bin, and location so operators can pick efficiently.
  • Opens the batch packing page for the new wave.
The wave builder does not buy labels or fulfill orders. It only creates controlled picking work and moves the team into batch packing.

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Work The Wave

After the wave exists, operators should pick the consolidated list, then open each order from batch packing.
  1. Pick the items listed for the wave.
  2. Keep substitutions, shortages, and exceptions visible to the lead before packing.
  3. Open the order card from batch packing.
  4. Pack the order and confirm package contents.
  5. Get rates and purchase labels when the order is ready for parcel shipment.
  6. Mark packages fulfilled only after labels and physical packages are correct.
Fulfillment station with package queue, package detail, and printer controls

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Wave Statuses

Wave status helps supervisors understand where the group is in the workflow:
  • Draft: the wave has been created and is ready for warehouse control.
  • Released: the wave can be worked by pack sessions.
  • Packing: at least one order in the wave is being packed.
  • Complete: every order pack session in the wave is complete.

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Common Blocks

  • No eligible orders: check the active location, order status filter, holds, inventory availability, and order readiness.
  • Wrong orders were selected: reduce the maximum order count, use a narrower status filter, or split work into smaller waves.
  • Operators cannot pack from the wave: confirm the wave has been released and that the user has fulfillment access for the location.
  • Wave does not close: review each order card in batch packing. The wave remains open until all pack sessions are complete.
  • Labels are missing at the end: labels are purchased per package during packing. Batch label printing only works after labels exist.

Batch Packing

Open each order from a wave and finish package work.

Fulfillment Station

Use package queues, printer controls, and package detail in one workspace.

Pack with Arcus

Pack orders, confirm items, buy labels, and handle packing exceptions.

Shipping Labels

Get rates, buy labels, print labels, and recover from label errors.

Warehouse Overview

Review warehouse work queues and location scoped inventory.

Order Fulfillment

Understand order readiness, holds, and fulfillment status.