Picking orders using an iPad or tablet
With the Myfoodlink platform, it’s possible to use an iPad or tablet when picking orders in store. This gives your staff a portable interface to work with while they assemble a customer’s order. While this option will work on most tablets the iPad is our recommendation as it has reliable operating software, excellent hardware and battery life, plus long-term software security updates.
To get started, log in to your Myfoodlink platform on your iPad or tablet. Go to the backoffice order screen and press the green button ‘Turn on picking mode’. You will see a simplified view of the page, as compared with the regular 'desktop' view of the system.
If at any time you want to switch between the ‘iPad picking’ and ‘desktop’ views, you can just press the button marked ‘Turn on/off picking mode’ at the bottom of the screen.
When you’re ready to get started, choose an order to pick. At the top right of the screen select ‘accept the order’ and your name will appear as the picker, with this being visible to other pickers.
You have the option to ‘hide picked’ lines, so that as you work your way through an order the screen will become easier to browse.
As you take the products off the shelf in-store, tap the circle at the left of each item. You’ll be prompted to confirm quantities and weights where relevant.
To swap a product, tap ‘substitute’ and the screen will filter by the same department by default. But you can season for a product to substitute by typing the name or barcode, or by scanning the product using a barcode scanner. You will also have the option to match the price if the substituted item is more expensive than the original item.
If you need to add a line, you can use the link at the bottom left of the screen.
When the order is picked, tap ‘Finalise’ in the top right corner of the screen to charge the order. You will then be given the relevant options to get the balance to zero, before marking the order ready for dispatch.
Other things to consider
- The platform displays profitability information in the financials screen - reduced picking time leads to increased profitability.
- There are a number of factors that can affect the time it takes to pick an order. Instead of sending staff out with a basket and a list, consider adding stock locations to the POS to allow for mapping of the picking route.
- Staff should have the equipment needed to pick a whole order in one go, so they should ideally have a picking trolley, a mounted iPad, Bluetooth scanner, portable scales, and correct height paper bags or boxes. You can also print lists by department to allow for batch-picking by deli or bakery staff, for example.
- Lastly, try to use staff who are experienced and who know the layout of your store and your products. This will allow them to be efficient and to make good substitutions for customers when required.