A company's distribution strategy is reflected in the configuration of its warehouse processes. This includes defining how different items are handled in different warehouse locations, such as the degree of bin control and the extend of workflow required between warehouse activities.
The following table describes a sequence of tasks, with links to the topics that describe them. These tasks are listed in the order in which they are generally performed.
| To | See |
|---|---|
Get an overview of the capabilities of different warehouse elements, such as bins, locations, and activities, to decide how to configure the warehouse management system. | |
Learn how to configure an efficient distribution model with a combination of different location setups and responsibility centers assigned to business partners or employees. | |
Define general inventory rules and values, such as requirements on supply planning and number series for inventory journals and basic warehouse activity documents. | |
Define general warehouse management rules and values, such as required warehouse activities and the number series used for each activity document. | |
Set users up as warehouse employees at specific locations. | |
Configure a warehouse location with the rules and warehouse activities that will apply when handling items at that location. | |
Define storage and planning rules for each instance of an item in a specific warehouse location. | |
Make additional settings to an existing location to enable it for warehouse activities. | |
Define different types of bins across the warehouse to control where items are placed according to their type, rank, or handling level. | |
Set up eight different bin types, such as Picking Bin, to define the flow activities that relate to each bin type. | |
Create templates for bin types to be used when creating bin content with a bin creation worksheet. | |
Use a worksheet to create multiple bins with information, such as name, number series, and category, according to a bin template. | |
Define which items you want to store in any given bin and set the rules that decide when to fill the bin with a particular item. | |
Set an item up to always be placed in a specific bin. | |
Set up the warehouse to automatically suggest items to be picked that expire first. | |
Create templates to govern where and how items are put away during directed put-away. | |
Set locations up for the most advanced scope of warehouse management where all activities must follow a strict workflow. | |
Set items up to be handled by directed put-aways and picks. | |
Enter information about the different transportation vendors you use, including a link to their package tracking service. | |
Set up fixed location pairs, transfer-from location and transfer-to location, between which items can be transferred via in-transit services, transportation units. | |
Configure the warehouse to support a process where items are shipped directly from the receiving area, without entering inventory. | "Set Up the Warehouse for Cross-Docking" in Cross-Docking Items |
Define when and how items in warehouse locations are counted for maintenance or financial reporting purposes. | |
Learn about the capabilities of integration bar code readers to the warehouse management installation. | |
Get tips on how to reorganize locations, bins, or zones to obtain more efficient warehouse activities. |