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How to Create Batches with Bulk Fulfillment

Updated

Process multiple batches simultaneously using bulk fulfillment filters, saved templates, and batch picking lists. Optimize warehouse workflows with configurable date ranges and fulfillment location filtering. Create shipping labels individually for each order through streamlined batch processing.

Learn More: How to create shipping labels in bulk using Pulse Commerce and Cahoot Integration
⚙️ Setting Up Bulk Fulfillment Filters & Templates

Access Bulk Fulfillment Interface

1Navigate to Orders → Create Bulk Fulfillment

Configure Filter Criteria

Set filters to select specific orders for batch processing:

Date Range:

  • Select date range for order placement

Fulfillment Location:

  • Filter by specific warehouse or fulfillment center
  • Useful for multi-warehouse operations
  • Orders assigned to selected location appear in results

Additional Filters:

  • Order Status: Warehouse, Pending Approval, or custom statuses
  • Order Tags: Filter by specific tags (Rush, Wholesale, VIP)
  • Shipping Method: Select orders using specific carriers
  • Customer Group: Filter wholesale vs retail orders

3Click Search to display matching orders

Create Saved Template for Reuse

1Configure your filters with desired criteria

2Click Save This Search As a Template

3Enter template name (e.g., "Daily West Coast Orders")

4Select Share Template field to specify admin roles with access

5Click Save

Pro Tip: Use relative date ranges in templates (current day +/- days) instead of specific dates. This ensures the template remains useful when run repeatedly.

Load Saved Template

1Access Create Bulk Fulfillment

2Select saved template from dropdown

3Template automatically populates all filter criteria

4Click Search to load current results

Template Sharing and Permissions

  • Templates can be private (creator only) or shared with specific admin roles
  • Shared templates allow warehouse teams to use consistent filters
  • Useful for daily fulfillment routines and shift handoffs
📋 Creating Batches and Picking Lists

Select Orders for Batch Processing

1Navigate to Orders → Create Bulk Fulfillment

2Apply your search filters or saved template and click Search to display orders in Warehouse status

3Use the checkboxes next to each order to select the ones you want to add to a batch

Note: You can also create the shipping directly from this page by clicking Fulfill (see Alternative workflow below).

4From the dropdown menu at the bottom of the order list, select one of the following options:

  • Create Picking List - Generates only the consolidated picking list for warehouse staff
  • Create Picking List and Packing Slips - Generates both the picking list and individual packing slips for each order

5Click Go

6A print dialog immediately appears with your picking list and/or packing slips

7Print the documents or save them as PDF for your warehouse team

Batch Confirmation Page

After printing, you'll see the Bulk Fulfillment Confirmation page displaying:

  • Batch ID - The unique identifier for this batch (e.g., 13830)
  • Total Orders - Number of orders in the batch
  • Success Count - Number of orders successfully added to the batch
  • Failure Count - Any orders that failed to process
What Happens to Orders: The selected orders are now grouped into a Batch with Item Fulfillment IDs. These orders automatically move to Picked status and appear in the Item Fulfillment List.

Alternative: Direct Fulfillment Without Creating a Batch

If you want to fulfill individual orders without creating a batch and picking list, you can create shipping labels directly from the Create Bulk Fulfillment page:

1Navigate to Orders → Create Bulk Fulfillment

2Apply your search filters and click Search

3In the results list, locate the Action column

4Click Fulfill for the order you want to ship

5The Create Shipping Label window opens

Pro Tip - Ship Via Selection: Before clicking Fulfill, select the desired shipping method from the Ship Via dropdown on the right side of that order row. This will pre-populate the carrier in the Create Shipping Label window, saving you time.

6If you need to split an order and create multiple shipments:

  • Adjust the quantity in the Fulfill Now column to ship only some items
  • Enter package weight and dimensions for this partial shipment
  • Click Create Label & Mark Shipped
  • Repeat the process to create additional labels for the remaining items

7For complete fulfillment, verify the quantities and package details, then click Create Label & Mark Shipped

8The label generates, prints, and the order moves to Shipped status

When to Use Direct Fulfillment: This method works best when you:

  • Don't need a consolidated picking list
  • Are fulfilling orders as they come in throughout the day
  • Need to split a large order into multiple shipments
  • Want to quickly fulfill a single rush order

For high-volume daily fulfillment with multiple orders, creating batches with picking lists is more efficient.

🏷️ Creating Shipping Labels for Batched Orders
Important: Shipping labels are created individually for each order in Pulse Commerce. There is no native "bulk" label generation that creates all labels at once. You'll create labels one order at a time using either the confirmation page or the Item Fulfillment List. For the most efficient bulk label creation, use Cahoot fulfillment integration, which streamlines multi-order label generation.

Option 1: Create Labels from Confirmation Page

Immediately after creating your batch, you can create labels directly from the confirmation page:

1On the Bulk Fulfillment Confirmation page, locate the Action column

2Click the Create Shipping Label link for an order

3The Create Shipping Label window opens with order details pre-filled

4Enter or verify:

  • Package weight and dimensions
  • Shipping method (if different from default)
  • Any special services (signature required, insurance, etc.)

5Click Create Label & Mark Shipped

6The shipping label generates and the order status updates to Shipped

7Repeat for each order in the batch

Option 2: Create Labels from Item Fulfillment Page

Access your batched orders through the Item Fulfillment List:

1Navigate to Orders → Item Fulfillment List

2Your batched orders appear with Picked status

3Filter by:

  • Batch Number - Enter the batch ID from your confirmation page
  • Fulfillment Location - Filter by warehouse
  • Date Range - Find orders from today or specific dates

Note: If you need to reprint packing slips or didn't generate them during batch creation - Select orders using checkboxes → Click the Print Options dropdown → select Packing Slip (All Items) or another packing slip format → click Go.

4Click on an Item Fulfillment number to open the fulfillment details

5On the Item Fulfillment page, click Create Label & Mark Shipped

6Enter or verify shipping information

7Click Create Label & Mark Shipped

8The label generates, prints, and the order moves to Shipped status

9Use your browser's back button or return to Item Fulfillment List to process the next order

Managing Item Fulfillments

From the Item Fulfillment page, you can also:

  • Mark Packed - Update status to Packed without creating a label (if using external shipping)
  • Edit Transaction - Modify quantities, shipping address, or other order details
  • Delete Transaction - Remove the Item Fulfillment and return the order to Warehouse status
Workflow Tip: Many warehouses print the picking list, pick all items, then work through the Item Fulfillment List creating shipping labels one by one. This allows warehouse staff to verify each package before generating the label, ensuring accuracy and proper package dimensions/weight.
⚙️ System Limits and Configuration

Bulk Fulfillment Order Limits

Your account has configured limits to ensure system performance:

Maximum Items Limit for Bulk Fulfillment List:

  • Default: 20 items per order
  • Orders exceeding this limit cannot be added to bulk fulfillment
  • System disables checkbox and shows warning: "Total Number of Line Items exceeded the limit"
  • These orders must be fulfilled individually

Maximum Order Limit to Allow Bulk Fulfillment:

  • Default: 200 orders maximum per bulk batch
  • Prevents system timeout and performance issues
  • Split large batches into multiple fulfillment runs
Important: These limits are configured by support only. Contact support to adjust limits based on your business needs and system capacity.

Adjusting System Limits

Contact Pulse Commerce Support if you would like to adjust the system limits.

  • Maximum Items Limit for Bulk Fulfillment List: Set per-order item threshold
  • Maximum Order Limit to Allow Bulk Fulfillment: Set batch size limit
⚠️ Troubleshooting & Best Practices

Orders Not Appearing in Bulk Fulfillment

Causes:

  • Orders have status other than Warehouse (Pending, On Hold, etc.)
  • Date range filter excludes the orders
  • Fulfillment location doesn't match order assignment

Solution: Verify order status and adjust filters. Check individual orders to confirm they're ready for fulfillment.

Checkbox Disabled for Specific Orders

Cause: Order exceeds maximum items limit

Solution: Fulfill these orders individually through single order fulfillment process. Contact support to increase limit if needed regularly.

Saved Template Not Loading

Causes:

  • Template was created by different admin user and not shared
  • Your admin role doesn't have permission to access the template

Solution: Ask template creator to share with your admin role, or create your own template.

Batch Labels Not Generating

Causes:

  • Carrier accounts not configured properly
  • Orders have missing or invalid shipping addresses
  • Products missing weight or dimension data

Solution: Verify carrier integration settings, check order addresses, and ensure product catalog has complete shipping data.

 

Bulk Fulfillment Best Practices

Efficient Workflow Organization

  • Create templates for daily routines: Morning fulfillment, afternoon rush orders, end-of-day processing
  • Filter by shipping method: Batch ground shipping separately from expedited orders
  • Group by fulfillment location: Assign warehouse teams to specific locations
  • Use order tags: Prioritize VIP, rush, or wholesale orders

Picking Efficiency Tips

  • Sort by bin number: Warehouse staff pick in physical location order
  • Print consolidated lists: One list showing all items reduces walking
  • Batch similar items: Pick all quantities of SKU at once
  • Stage by carrier: Group orders for same shipping carrier

Quality Control

  • Review picking list before starting to verify quantities and items
  • Check packing slips match actual order contents
  • Verify shipping labels match order shipping addresses
  • Scan barcodes to confirm correct items if using barcode system

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