Location-based warehousing means giving every shelf slot in the warehouse a unique location code and recording items together with those locations. A code such as A-03-02-B tells you the aisle, rack, level and bin at a glance.
Why does it matter?
In a warehouse without locations, finding an item often depends on the memory of experienced staff. That slows picking and slows the whole operation when those people are away.
- Faster picking: Staff don't search; they go to the location shown on the handheld.
- Fewer count discrepancies: Because the expected quantity per location is known, differences are caught at the source.
- Easy onboarding: New staff don't need to memorise the warehouse.
- Correct put-away: At goods receipt, items go to the suggested or defined location.
How to get started
- Map the layout: Define the number of aisles, racks, levels and bins.
- Choose a coding standard: Pick a fixed-length structure everyone can read.
- Print location labels: Put a barcoded label on every bin.
- Run an initial count: Load current stock into the system with locations.
- Record movements by location: Scan locations on the handheld for receipts, transfers and shipments.
Working with the ERP
Location detail lives in the warehouse, but the stock movement itself must reach the ERP. Nitrogen PDA captures location-based movements on handhelds and transfers them to Mikro ERP instantly, so accounting, sales and the warehouse all see the same stock.
