Stow It for Less

2. Order processing turnaround times: The time to pick, pack and ship an order is 24 hours or less. Since the dot-com revolution, however, many businesses are processing 50 percent or more of orders the same day.

3. Returns and receiving processing turnaround times: within 24 hours.

4. Functional area productivity: Picking averages 115 units per man hour, and packing is 36 boxes per man hour for conventional warehouses. But small-product picking rates may range from 275 to 800 units per hour. Highly automated facilities may achieve picking of 150 to 175 units per hour, and packing of 75 to 90 boxes per hour. Of course, compare your business to those that are similar to yours.