A process for handling objects, such as packages, by means of a materials handling device, such as a multiaxial industrial robot, with a gripping means, is characterized in that coordinates of a position, dimension and/or orientation of a number of objects are first determined, and individual gripping elements of the gripping means are subsequently actuated on the basis of the coordinates for gripping the objects. A gripping means, in which gripping elements can be activated and deactivated individually, is used according to the present invention in the course of the above-mentioned process. Handling operations, for example, commissioning processes, can thus be optimized in terms of the duration of the process.