Enter Inventory Locations

Explanation

This activity is used to define specific inventory locations where items may be moved to, or stored. Inventory locations are defined by site, and must also be connected to an inventory location group, which in turn is linked to a location type. There are twelve different types of inventory locations in IFS Applications, and by linking an inventory location to a location group, the location will be linked to one of these system-defined location types. To define an IFS inventory location you must specify, at a minimum, site number, a location number, the warehouse, and the location group. Optionally, you can also specify  warehouse structure by entering bay, row, tier, and bin values. If bay, row, tier and bin are not used, dummy values are saved instead. If you are a more extensive user, an alternative is to first define your warehouse structure and then connect your inventory locations to the warehouse structure. This compulsory task of setting up inventory locations is to be performed by a system administrator or by an equivalent person.

Parts can be handled individually or by pallets. Note that to avoid problems, pallet-handled parts should be received only at pallet locations. For example, if pallet-handled parts are received into an arrival location, the parts will be handled individually. To ensure that they are handled correctly, they need to be received into a pallet arrival location.

You can define a priority for pallet locations only, to establish the sequence of using pallet locations. It has no functionality for other inventory location types. This value is used when creating transport tasks where the To location is of the pallet type. The empty pallet location with the highest priority will be selected first. Example: You can use the priority functionality if you usually prefer to use a specific pallet location because of physical handling costs, turnover rate, etc.

The location sequence is system-generated, and simply reflects the order that the inventory location was entered into the system. Location number gets location sequence as a suggested value but can be changed as desired.

The route order is used to minimize the travel time in the warehouse by planning the path in a specific order. The default route order for the warehouse, bay, row, tier and bin will be the same value as the warehouse ID, bay ID, row ID, tier ID or bin ID respectively. This can be changed if required, in the Warehouse Navigator window.

Prerequisites

• A proper location group must have been entered.
• At least one site must be connected in Sites per User.
• If you want to enter pallet locations, verify that the system parameter for pallet handling in Parameters for Distribution and Manufacturing window is set to Yes.

System Effects

As a result of this activity:

• An inventory location connected to a specific location group is defined.
• The inventory location is created as a specific location type, through the connection to the location group.
• This inventory location is now available to use during inventory transactions.
• The location number that you enter can be used as the short code for the inventory location.
• You can choose to print barcode labels for this inventory location from this window, if barcode functionality is installed.
• If you change inventory location group on an existing inventory location there will be transaction that reflect the move of inventory value between different location groups.

Window

Inventory Locations
Warehouse Navigator

Related Window Descriptions

Inventory Locations
Warehouse Navigator
Inventory Location Groups

Procedure

To enter inventory locations in Inventory Locations window:

1. Open the Inventory Locations window and select New. 
2. The location sequence will be automatically assigned by the system. Location number will have this as default value.
3. In the Site field, enter required site.
4. In the Location No field, if desired change suggested, enter a location identification, using no more than ten alpha numeric characters.
5. Enter the name of the warehouse. If your warehouse contains bay, row, tier, and bin numbers, specify these in the respective fields.
6. Optionally, enter a location name.
7. Using the List of Values, select the location group. The location type will automatically be filled in, and can be changed only by selecting a location group connected to a different location type.
8. If the location group is a pallet type and you would like to use the Priority functionality, enter the priority with a value of 1 being the highest.
9. Enter notes if desired.
10. Enter warehouse attributes if values from inherited from structure not applicable.
11. Save the changes.

To enter inventory locations in Warehouse Navigator window:

1. Open the Warehouse Navigator window and query for the required site.
2. Select node in warehouse structure where you want to add inventory location.
3. Click on the Locations tab and select New.
4. The location sequence will be automatically assigned by the system. Location number will have this as default value.
5. In the Location No field, if desired change suggested location identification, use no more than ten alpha numeric characters.
6. Depending on selected level in warehouse structure complement warehouse, bay, row, tier and bin as desired.
7. Optionally, enter a location name.
8. Using the List of Values, select the location group. The location type will automatically be filled in, and can be changed only by selecting a location group connected to a different location type.
9. If the location group is a pallet type and you would like to use the Priority functionality, enter the priority with a value of 1 being the highest.
10. Enter notes if desired.
11. Enter warehouse attributes if values from inherited from structure not applicable.
12. Save the changes.