Outbound Workflow Overview

Last updated: 2026-08-12

1. Scenario

The outbound workflow starts with an outbound order and continues through submission validation, review, wave creation, and picking. The diagram ends at review and loading. The picking path depends on the business type and order structure.

Use this overview to identify the current stage, the responsible party, the next action, and the step to revisit when an exception occurs.

It also shows where pallet labels and pallet scanning connect to the picking paths.

2. Outbound workflow

Numbered stages:

1. Create the outbound order with the warehouse, business, recipient, SKUs, shipping channel, and label information.
2. Save it as Draft so it can still be edited.
3. Submit it to the warehouse. Its status becomes Submitted.
4. GWMS validates the address, SKUs, inventory, shipping channel, label, and business rules.
5. A successful review changes the order to Reviewed.
6. Reviewed, inventory-allocated, not-waved, and unshipped orders become ready for wave creation.
7. Create a picking wave with the picking method, picker, and split rule. The order becomes Waved.
8. Continue through the picking path that matches the order structure and business type.
9. After the picking path is complete, review the items and finish loading after verifying pallets and parcels. The diagram ends here.

Pallet branch:

• P1 — generate, download, and print pallet labels before pallet-based work starts.
• P2 — scan a pallet when consolidated picking starts. GWMS links the pallet to the picking wave and picker, and the pallet changes from Unused to In Use.
• P3 — complete pallet picking, then continue to Sort by SKU or Secondary Sorting.

Exception branches:

• A — submission or review exception: correct the address or SKUs, or resolve inventory, channel, or label issues, then submit again.

3. Stage notes

3.1 Create, save, and submit

Saving creates a Draft. Warehouse work starts only after the order is submitted and passes validation and review. Check recipient data, SKU quantities, the shipping channel, and the label source before submission.

3.2 Wave and picking paths

• 【Sort by SKU】: for single-item Dropshipping orders. Scan a completed picking pallet, then scan each SKU to print the label for each order.
• 【Secondary Sorting】: for multi-item or multi-SKU orders. Scan the pallet and SKU, sort items into order bins, and continue with packaging, serial-number, printing, and exception steps.
• 【Pick by Order】: each order is picked, packed, and labeled separately using a printed picking list or PDA. Stock Transit and Container Redistribution use this path.

3.3 Pallet work and status

A pallet carries the results of consolidated picking. Prepare a pallet label for the active warehouse before work starts. The first scan links the pallet to the picking wave and picker. Complete pallet picking before continuing to Sort by SKU or Secondary Sorting.

Pallet Status shows the first scan time, picking completion time, operator, details, and the picking, labeling, review, and loading progress. Pallet availability and operation progress are separate: Unused, In Use, and Voided describe the label and pallet usage, while the four operation statuses describe each downstream stage.

3.4 Exception handling

Correct submission exceptions on the outbound order and submit it again. Record warehouse-floor exceptions in the current picking or sorting page. Do not continue to review, loading, or shipment until the exception is resolved.

3.5 Loading result

Verify pallets and parcels during loading. This diagram ends at Loading; later shipment-status and inventory updates are not expanded here. Use Wave Management to monitor the related operation progress.

4. FAQ

Q1: Why is a saved outbound order not available for wave creation?

A1: Saving only creates a Draft. Submit the order, confirm that validation and review passed, and verify that inventory was allocated.

Q2: Can the warehouse create a wave after submission fails?

A2: No. Correct the issue reported for the address, SKUs, inventory, shipping channel, or label, then submit again. The order must become Reviewed first.

Q3: Which picking path should be used?

A3: Use Sort by SKU for single-item Dropshipping orders, Secondary Sorting for multi-item or multi-SKU orders, and Pick by Order for Stock Transit and Container Redistribution.

Q4: What should warehouse staff do when inventory is short or an SKU is damaged?

A4: Stop review and shipment for that order. Report the exception on the picking page or mark it during Secondary Sorting, including the SKU, quantity, and reason. Resume the affected step after resolution.

Q5: Why is a generated pallet label still Unused?

A5: Unused means that the label exists but has not been scanned into an operation. After consolidated picking starts and the label is scanned, GWMS links the pallet to the picking wave and picker and changes it to In Use.