WAVE: In NetSuite WMS, a WAVE is a process that groups multiple sales orders together for fulfillment, allowing warehouse staff to pick items in batches instead of handling each order individually. This approach improves efficiency, reduces travel time in the warehouse, and optimizes resource utilization, making it ideal for high-volume environments. The typical WAVE lifecycle includes creation (manually or through rules), assignment of tasks and picking strategies (such as batch, zone, or cluster picking), release of the wave to mobile devices, and completion once items are picked and staged for packing and shipping.
WAVE Lifecycle in NetSuite:
- Wave Creation
- Triggered from Sales Orders or Pick Tasks.
- Can be generated manually or through automation rules.
- Wave Assignment
- Assigns pickers and determines picking strategy (zone picking, batch picking, cluster picking).
- Wave Release
- Once released, pick tasks are sent to handheld/mobile devices.
- Wave Picking & Completion
- Items are picked, verified, and staged for packing/shipping.
- Completion updates the Sales Order fulfilment status.
Types of Picking Strategies in WAVE
- Single Order Picking – One order at a time.
- Batch Picking – Same items across multiple orders picked together.
- Zone Picking – Orders split by warehouse zones.
- Cluster Picking – Multiple orders handled in a single picking cart.
When to Use WAVE in NetSuite?
- High-volume order environments (e.g., e-commerce, wholesale).
- Businesses with large warehouses requiring optimized picking.
- Scenarios where multiple orders share common SKUs.