Order Wave Planning & Pick Priority Automation
A done-for-you warehouse automation built for the Distribution Center Manager, connecting Slack and Google Sheets so the work below happens on its own.
What this automation does, step by step
Two hours before each pick wave is released, this automation analyzes open orders by carrier cutoff time, order priority, pick zone, and available labor, and builds an optimized wave plan that maximizes throughput and ensures on-time carrier departures.
The wave plan is automatically pushed to the WMS and pick task assignments are distributed to available pickers by zone, no supervisor manually building the plan or radio-ing assignments across the floor.
If an order is at risk of missing its carrier cutoff due to a staffing gap or pick exception, the DC manager receives an alert with enough lead time to reassign resources or expedite.
- WMS (e.g., Deposco, HighJump, or 3PL Central)
- Zapier or Make.com
- Google Sheets (wave planning model)
- Slack (cutoff risk alerts)
- Email (wave plan distribution to supervisors)
Using different software? We build around what you already have, so you never have to switch tools to automate.
The manual way vs. the automated way
Without automation
The manual approach means a distribution center manager handles each case reactively, after someone has already noticed something went wrong. It rarely feels urgent in the moment, but it adds up fast.
With this automation
- Low-stock and reorder alerts before you run out
- Vendor and subcontractor confirmations that chase themselves
- Preventive maintenance scheduled by usage or date
- Work orders and project milestones that update stakeholders
Often built alongside this one
Cycle Count Scheduling & Variance Investigation Tracker
The inventory control manager sets a cycle count schedule by location zone, and this automation assigns count tasks to the designated counters each…
RMA Intake, Inspection & Disposition Workflow
When a return authorization is issued, this automation generates an RMA number, sends the customer a pre-paid label, and creates a pending receipt…
Pick-Pack-Ship Exception Alert
As orders move through the fulfillment process, this automation continuously flags any order that's been sitting in the picked or packed stage…
Cycle Count Discrepancy Resolver
When a scheduled cycle count finds a mismatch between the system's recorded inventory and the physical count on the shelf, this automation…
Returns Intake & Restocking Workflow
When a returned item arrives at the warehouse, this automation automatically logs the return against the original order, routes it through a quality…
Domain and SSL Certificate Expiration Reminders
Every domain and SSL certificate the company owns across its websites, subdomains, and internal tools is tracked in a central Airtable registry…