This article explains how to use the Order By feature within Job Types to define the sequence in which items are picked. By setting custom sorting rules, you can optimize your picking paths, increase efficiency, and ensure a consistent workflow for your pickers.
Overview
The Order By section is located in the Conditions tab of the Job Type creation/edit screen. It allows you to create a prioritized list of rules that dictates the order of items in a picking job.
For example, you can configure the system to first sort items by Location Aisle (to keep pickers in the same aisle), then by Location Level (to pick from top to bottom), and finally by Item Weight (to place heavier items at the bottom of a tote).
Default Behavior: To ensure a logical picking flow is always active, Logiwa IO automatically applies a default sorting rule to all new and existing Job Types:
Walking Path Priority (Ascending)
You can customize, add to, or replace this default rule to fit your specific operational needs.
How to Configure Order By Rules
Follow these steps to define the picking order for a Job Type.
Navigate to Job Types in your Logiwa IO account.
Either click Create New Job Type or select an existing Job Type to Edit.
Go to the Conditions tab.
Scroll down to the Order By section. You will see the default rule already in place.
Managing Your Rules
Add a Rule: Click the + Add Field button. Select a new field from the dropdown list. The new rule will be added to the bottom of the list.
Change Sort Direction: Click the arrow icon next to a rule to toggle between Ascending (ASC) and Descending (DESC) order.
Reorder Rules: Click and hold the drag-and-drop handle (
:::) to move a rule up or down in the priority list. The rule at the top has the highest priority.Delete a Rule: Click the trash can icon to remove a rule.
Validation: You must have at least one Order By rule defined. The system will prevent you from saving the Job Type if no rules are present.
Real-World Examples
Here are a few scenarios demonstrating how you can configure the Order By rules to optimize different picking workflows.
Example 1: Heavy Items First
Goal: To ensure heavy items are picked first so they can be placed at the bottom of the picking tote, preventing damage to lighter or more fragile goods.
Configuration:
Item Weight(Descending)Walking Path Priority(Ascending)
Result: The system will prioritize the heaviest items on the picklist first. If multiple items have the same weight, it will then sort them by the most efficient walking path to maintain as much efficiency as possible.
Example 2: Group by Product for Batch Picking
Goal: To group all items of the same product together, which can simplify counting and sorting at the packing station. This is often used in batch picking operations.
Configuration:
SKU(Ascending)Walking Path Priority(Ascending)
Result: The picklist will be sorted alphabetically by SKU. All units for SKU "AAA" will be listed first, then all units for SKU "AAB", and so on. After grouping by SKU, the list is then sorted by the best walking path. This may result in a less efficient travel route but simplifies the process at the packing station.
Supported Fields & Sorting Behavior
The following fields are available for creating sorting rules. The table below describes their behavior in both ascending and descending order.
Field Name | Type | Ascending (ASC) Behavior | Descending (DESC) Behavior |
Walking Path Priority | Numeric | Lowest to highest | Highest to lowest |
SKU | Alphabetical | A to Z | Z to A |
Item Weight | Numeric | Lightest to heaviest | Heaviest to lightest |
Item Volume | Numeric | Smallest to largest | Largest to smallest |
Location Aisle | Alphabetical | A to Z | Z to A |
Location Column | Numeric | Smallest to largest | Largest to smallest |
Location Level | Numeric | Smallest to largest | Largest to smallest |
Location Position | Numeric | Smallest to largest | Largest to smallest |
Location Rack | Alphabetical | A to Z | Z to A |
Product Custom Fields | Alphabetical | A to Z | Z to A |
Location Custom Fields | Alphabetical | A to Z | Z to A |
⚠️ Important Note on Alphabetical Sorting
Please be aware that the Location Aisle and Location Rack fields use alphabetical sorting, not numerical sorting. This can affect locations that are named with numbers.
For example, using an ascending sort, a location named "11" will come before a location named "9" because the system compares the first character ('1' vs. '9').
Best Practice: To ensure correct numerical order, we recommend using leading zeros for numbers less than 10 (e.g., "01, 02... 09, 10, 11). This ensures that '09' is correctly sorted before '11'.