Bin location
Quick answer
The unique physical address of a storage slot (aisle-rack-level-position), the foundation of warehouse organisation.
Key takeaways
- Picking - at ergonomic height, for frequent picking
- Reserve (bulk) - replenishment stock, at height
- Special - quarantine, returns, temperature-controlled
What a bin location is
A bin location is the unique address of a storage point, usually coded as aisle-rack-level-position (e.g. A-12-03-B). It is the base unit on which any warehouse organisation is built.
Why addressing matters
Without coded locations, goods are 'somewhere in the warehouse'. With addressing, the system knows exactly where each SKU/batch is, guides putaway and picking, and maintains stock accuracy at location level.
Location types
- Picking - at ergonomic height, for frequent picking
- Reserve (bulk) - replenishment stock, at height
- Special - quarantine, returns, temperature-controlled
How CRMconnect helps
The CRMconnect WMS manages the full warehouse addressing, guides operators via scanning to the exact location, and enables per-location inventory - the basis for cycle counting and high accuracy.
Real-world example
A warehouse without addressing lost tens of minutes daily searching for goods. After implementing coded locations in CRMconnect WMS, search time disappeared and per-location stock accuracy reached 99%+.
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Frequently asked
How is a bin location coded?+
Usually hierarchically: zone/aisle/rack/level/position (e.g. A-12-03-B). The code appears on a barcode label, scanned at putaway and picking for precision.
Can one SKU be in multiple locations?+
Yes. A SKU often has a picking location and one or more reserve (bulk) locations. The WMS manages replenishment between them and totals available stock.
Why is addressing important for accuracy?+
It enables inventory and cycle counting per individual location, not globally. Discrepancies are localised and corrected quickly, maintaining stock accuracy.
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
Putaway
The process of storing received goods in optimal locations immediately after receipt.
LogisticsSlotting
Strategically assigning products to warehouse locations based on rotation, size and affinity to minimise picking effort.
LogisticsPicking
The process of retrieving products from warehouse locations to fulfil an order - the most costly warehouse activity.
LogisticsWMS (Warehouse Management System)
The system orchestrating physical warehouse operations: receiving, putaway, picking, packing, shipping.