Location types
With location types it is possible to assign certain conditions on which the software acts. We know the categories ‘Administrative’ and ‘Physical’.
Administrative location types
The administrative location types do not have fixed physical characteristics, but can differ per warehouse.
Crossdock
With the concept of crossdock, (part of) the incoming goods leave the warehouse directly based on an existing order. The location type crossdock therefore ensures that when planning an order, stock at this type of location always takes precedence over other locations. For example, an order picker is not sent to a rack on the 4th floor, while an order can be fulfilled with (part of) the incoming goods.
Handover-location
If a logistical operation cannot be carried out in one movement, the goods can be placed at a so-called handover location. This is done, for example, in high-bay warehouses where reach trucks ‘prepare’ work or when using a lift. The WMS then makes a transfer from the handover location to the final destination. This step may seem superfluous, but a WMS always wants to know where certain stock is registered. This also allows you to register who has carried out which movement in the warehouse.
Overflow
An overflow location is a location without restriction: it cannot become full and multiple items are simply allowed. This type is often used when it is impossible to calculate how many products fit on a location, for example with a shelf or a small compartment rack.
Lost and Found
Every warehouse in a WMS has a location where missing items are booked. This is called a Lost and Found location. A product that is (temporarily) lost in the warehouse can later be booked back from this location or definitively written off. Until then, it is physically present but not saleable.
Red Zone
When a warehouse worker is sent to a forced location to store incoming goods, a ‘Red Zone’ is often set up as an allowed fallback. The warehouse worker can then continue with the scanning tasks and in the meantime investigate why the forced location cannot be used.
Physical location types
The physical location types, unlike the administrative location types, are actually distinguishable by eye. This type of location is mainly used to make the most of the warehouse.
Single racking
Rack location with a normal capacity of 1 pallet. This location is full immediately after placement and will not be refilled. In most cases, 2 rows are attached ‘back to back’ followed by an aisle, as shown in the photo below.
Drive in
If depth is used for a rack location, it is called a drive-in location. This can be filled up to a certain level deep. This is used when many equal pallets are stored.
Block stacking / Floor location
The characteristic of block stacking (or floor location) is that if stock is placed at this location, the WMS calculates standard capacity of exactly the same pallets. There is a margin possible on, for example, entry dates.
Door (dock)
Although the name suggests otherwise, this is not about an opening and closing door, but about the space behind it, also called a dock. Unloading takes place on a door and is also put away from that location. In the event of removal, an order picker or forklift driver can be asked or instructed to put goods (per trip) on a door.
Cart / cart location
A cart is used for wave picking (multiple relatively small orders are collected in 1 walk) and fine-meshed storage (multiple relatively small storages are stored on location in 1 walk). Below is an example of Kruizinga, a customer of WICS and supplier of this type of picking cart. On the right, the cart in use at the fair. Because a WMS always wants to know exactly where goods are, there are also locations on the cart, the cart locations.
Shelf
When storing articles with little volume, shelf locations are often used. A shelf location (or small compartment location) will in principle not become “full”.
Properties of locations
The properties of a location are usually thought of as length, width and height. In addition, it is also possible to use volume (e.g. with big bags) or depth (double-deep storage). Sometimes a maximum weight is maintained per location.
In case of multiple pallets that are stored within 1 shelf, we call this the grouping unit. In this way, it can be taken into account to use, for example, max. 3 block pallets on 1 shelf or 4 euro pallets on 1 shelf. When storing and storing the incoming stock, the most efficient location can be indicated. Of course, everything stands or falls with the entered article master data. You could also set a maximum per carrying weight.
Location conditions
A location can have various conditions. For example, a location can only be used for ADR articles (dangerous goods) or have a separate quarantine status, although this is usually organised at zone level. In addition, in addition to blocking certain stock, a location can also be (temporarily) blocked. This is often used in the cooling and freezing sector.
In addition, a condition such as fast mover or slow mover can be linked to a location. For example, a certain part of the warehouse can be set up as fast mover. These locations may then only be used by a certain article group.
Need for the WMS
Setting up the different zones with their associated types, properties and conditions can ensure a lot of efficiency in the warehouse. By using a door or handover location, for example, it is always known where the items are located. This also provides insight into who last moved the goods. This can save a lot of research. Shelves and trolleys are used most often in B2C logistics. The shelves save a lot of space for small items, while trolleys can be used perfectly for efficient order picking and storage.
In B2B logistics with mainly pallets, good management of double-deep storage and grouping units saves a lot of meters and space. But sometimes it is simply strict regulations around, for example, ADR or quarantine goods, which makes location management extremely important. A mature Warehouse Management System ensures that all forms of location management become possible to organize in the warehouse.
Part 3
In the last part we will tell you about the possibilities behind numbering locations within the Warehouse Management System. Want to read again what the strategy is behind dividing and especially replenishing pick and bulk locations? Then click here for the first part.
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