Outbound Flow for SMBs: Pick & Pack That Just Works
MTM Logistics runs an SMB-friendly outbound flow that keeps shipping calm and predictable
If you run a small or growing brand, shipping days can feel either calm and predictable—or like chaos with tape guns. The difference isn’t headcount or robots; it’s a simple, disciplined outbound flow that starts clean, keeps inventory honest, and avoids last-minute surprises. Here’s the playbook we use end-to-end.
1) Receive the Order (LogisticsLink or Email)
Orders arrive either directly in LogisticsLink (real-time SKUs, quantities, service level, notes) or via email. Email orders are translated into the same structured format by our team. The moment an order is system-real, it appears on the floor dashboard with its lane and cut-off—so everyone sees the same truth.
2) Process It (Commit to Inventory & Create Fulfilment Task)
Before anyone touches a tote, we commit the stock to the order to stop double-selling and last-unit drama. We then create a fulfilment task that spells out what to pick, from where, and by when. Address issues, PO Box constraints, or special packing notes are surfaced here—long before they become 3:55 pm emergencies.
3) Pick with Purpose
Tasks drop to the right picker based on cut-off, zone density, and complexity. Single-line satchel orders ride on cluster carts; multi-line/heavier orders run as batch picks. The scan flow never changes—location → item → quantity → container (tote/LPN)—so accuracy isn’t tied to who’s on shift. Forward-pick min/max triggers quick top-ups so waves don’t stall.
4) Collect & Stage (Calm at the Benches)
Picked items move to a clearly marked staging zone near pack benches, grouped by wave and carrier. Staging is where consolidation happens and problems surface early. If something’s missing, we fix it before labels print; if all lines are present, the order flows to pack in one smooth pass.
5) Capture a Verification Image
Every staged order gets a timestamped photo uploaded to the order timeline. One clean image = proof for you, confidence for customers, and insurance against “wrong item/short shipped” claims. If the photo and pick list don’t match, we catch it now—not when the driver is at the dock.
6) Adjust Stock on Hand (SOH) in Real Time
As soon as picking is confirmed, SOH updates automatically—units move from available to committed/consumed. That keeps purchasing, customer service, and finance aligned, prevents oversells, and improves replenishment signals.
7) Pack, Label, and Document
At the bench, we re-scan items against the order, apply cartonization rules to avoid shipping air, add inserts/gift notes, and print the label only after QC passes. A quick photo-on-pack attaches to the order history to cut WISMO tickets later. Wholesale/multi-carton orders are built to spec with compliant labels and a carton list that actually matches contents.
8) Manifest & Handover (Boring—in the Best Way)
Orders are staged by route with a buffer before carrier cut-off, the manifest closes cleanly, and driver scan + signature completes the chain. Because we committed stock up front and verified in the middle, the end is refreshingly uneventful.
Why This Works for SMBs
It’s small-team friendly, rule-driven, and scales linearly. Receiving in LogisticsLink or via email means the process adapts to how you sell. Early commitment protects promise dates; staging + verification images reduce rework and claims; real-time SOH keeps the whole business on solid ground; and a disciplined pack-to-manifest routine turns cut-offs from panic into habit.
Want This Level of Calm?
Send us one day of orders—a mix of portal and email—and we’ll map them to this flow, show the verification + SOH updates in action, and outline the three fastest tweaks to lift on-time dispatch and accuracy this week.
Ready to ship smoother and cut the chaos? MTM Logistics can take your outbound from ad-hoc to airtight—orders in via LogisticsLink or email, stock committed, disciplined pick and stage with verification photos, real-time SOH updates, and clean pack→label→manifest handoffs—see how we’d tune your flow and boost on-time dispatch at
