Warehouse questions
The questions clients actually ask about Warehouse Management and the 3PL Warehouse module. Each answer is short and ends with the page that goes further.
Bins and storage locations
Do I have to type every bin code?
No. On Storage Location Structure you give ranges per level (Aisle 1 to 3, Rack 1 to 2, Shelf 1 to 4) and Save creates every combination. See Set up the bins of a warehouse.
What does a location code look like?
The Warehouse prefix, then one part per level joined by dashes: the level's prefix, its number padded to at least two digits, and its suffix. W1-A01-R02-S03. At most 15 characters.
Can one warehouse have two structures?
No. One Storage Location Structure per warehouse per company. A second is refused with "Warehouse Cannot be Duplicate".
If I shrink a range, are the bins removed?
No. Save only adds. Delete unwanted lines on Location Detail yourself, once no stock is in them.
Does Capacity stop a bin being overfilled?
No. Capacity is used only by the Warehouse Map, to colour the bin by how full it is. No stock screen checks it.
Does On Hold stop stock going into a bin?
No. It shows on the map only. See Put a bin on hold.
Must every stock line name a bin?
Only for items whose Storage Structure has Location marked Required. See Make stock movements record the bin.
Is the bin code on a stock line checked against the structure?
No. Stock movement lines take the code as typed. Only Picking List Registration offers a lookup of the warehouse's codes. A mistyped code is accepted, and does not appear on the map.
What do Storage Area, Storage indicator and Location Structure do?
Nothing beyond being recorded. Storage Area and Storage indicator can be picked on Storage Location Structure; Location Structure is not picked anywhere. The weights and sizes on the Structure tab are also recorded only.
Where do I see what is in each bin?
On the Warehouse Map in Inventory. See Find which bin a batch is in.
Are Storage Area, Storage indicator and Location Structure per company?
No. These three lists are shared by every company. Storage Location Structure is per company.
Storing goods for customers (3PL)
Is a 3PL warehouse the same as an Inventory warehouse?
No. 3PL screens use their own warehouses, items and units, and never touch your own stock. See Warehouse (3PL).
How do I see what a customer has in the 3PL warehouse?
There is no such list or report. Receipts and releases are separate records and nothing adds them up. Keep a count outside the system, or ask for a report to be built. The printed forms show single documents only.
Does a release check that the goods were received?
No. Nothing links a release to a receipt or checks a balance. See Release a customer's goods.
Can I bill storage from these screens?
No. Nothing in the 3PL module raises an invoice or posts. The payment term and method on Account (3PL) are recorded only. Bill through Receivables, on the Customer Invoice.
Can I restrict a customer's receipt to that customer's items?
No. The Item lookup on a line offers every 3PL item of the company. Prefix item codes with the customer's code.
Can a zone be kept for one customer?
You can record the Customer on the zone, but nothing enforces it. Every zone is offered on every line.
How do I enforce batch numbers?
Tick Required Batch on the 3PL item. Save then refuses a receipt or release line of that item without one.
And serial numbers?
Required Serial is on the item, but its check never refuses today. Check serial numbers by eye.
How do I correct a saved receipt?
Edit it and Save, or Delete it. Receipts and releases have no Reverse. An Adjustment has Reverse, which only marks it reversed.
How do I record a damaged or missing carton?
On an Adjustment (3PL). Its lines have no Item or quantity column, so write the item and the difference in Line Text.
Can a receipt line be in cartons?
Yes. Pick Carton in Unit, if the item has Carton on its Units tab. Save also keeps the quantity in the item's inventory unit, using the Factor.
Is a 3PL item per company?
Yes. The Item lookup on documents offers the items of the company you are logged in to. 3PL units are shared by all companies.
If something looks wrong
| Message | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Cannot be Duplicate | The warehouse already has a Storage Location Structure in this company | Open the existing document |
| Structure must be Aisle, Rack, Shelf or Bin: ... | A Structures value does not start with A, R, S or B | Type Aisle, Rack, Shelf or Bin |
| Structure is repeated: ... | Two Structure lines for the same level | Keep one line per level |
| End Value cannot be less than Start Value: ... | The range on that line is upside down | Swap Start Value and End Value |
| The structure makes more than 20,000 locations in one warehouse | The ranges multiply to more than 20,000 | Narrow a range, or raise Increment |
| Location ... is longer than 15 characters; shorten the prefixes | Warehouse prefix plus parts are too long | Shorten the prefixes |
| Basic Data - Line ID : ... - Storage Location cannot be empty | A stock line of an item whose Storage Structure requires a location has none | Type the bin code on the line |
| Basic Data Lines cannot be empty | A 3PL receipt or release has no lines | Add a line |
| Basic Data - Line ID: ... - Batch Number cannot be empty | The 3PL item has Required Batch | Type the batch in Batch/Serial Number |