Introduction

Efficient warehouse management is a cornerstone of successful inventory operations. One of the key challenges businesses face is ensuring that incoming stock is stored in the right location, optimizing space, and maintaining easy access for future use. iVendNext, a comprehensive inventory management solution, offers a powerful feature called Putaway Rules to address this challenge. Putaway Rules automate the process of assigning incoming stock to the most appropriate warehouse locations based on predefined strategies.

This article will introduce you to the concept of Putaway Rules in iVendNext, explain their importance, and guide you through the process of creating and managing them. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how Putaway Rules can streamline your warehouse operations and improve efficiency.

What are Putaway Rules?

Putaway Rules are predefined strategies that determine how incoming stock is assigned to warehouse locations. These rules take into account factors such as warehouse capacity and priority to ensure that stock is stored in the most optimal location. Putaway Rules are particularly useful in large warehouses with multiple storage locations, where manual assignment of stock can be time-consuming and error-prone.

Key Components of Putaway Rules

1. Item-Warehouse Combination: Each Putaway Rule is unique to a specific item and warehouse combination.

2. Capacity: The rule considers the available capacity of the warehouse to ensure that stock is not assigned to a location that is already full.

3. Priority: Warehouses can be assigned priority levels, with higher-priority locations being filled first.

Why Use Putaway Rules?

Putaway Rules offer several benefits for businesses:

1. Optimized Warehouse Space: By automatically assigning stock to the most appropriate location, Putaway Rules help maximize warehouse space utilization.

2. Improved Efficiency: Automating the putaway process reduces the time and effort required to manually assign stock to locations.

3. Better Inventory Management: Putaway Rules ensure that stock is stored in locations that are easily accessible, reducing the time needed to retrieve items for orders.

4. Reduced Errors: Automated putaway reduces the risk of human error, such as assigning stock to the wrong location or overfilling a warehouse.

How to Create a Putaway Rule in iVendNext

Creating a Putaway Rule in iVendNext is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Access the Putaway Rule List

1. Go to Home > Stock in iVendNext.

2. Under the Transactions section, click on the Putaway Rule shortcut.

3. This will take you to the Putaway Rule List View screen.

Step 2: Create a New Putaway Rule

1. Click on the Add Putaway Rule button to open the New Putaway Rule Creation screen.

2. Fill in the required information, including the company, item, and warehouse.

Step 3: Set Capacity and Priority

1. Set the Capacity for the warehouse. This defines the maximum amount of stock that can be stored in the warehouse.

2. If needed, select a different Unit of Measure (UOM) for the capacity. The capacity in the stock UOM will be set automatically.

3. Set the Priority for the warehouse. Priority levels start from 1, with 1 being the highest priority.

Step 4: Save the Putaway Rule

1. Once all the details are filled in, click the Save button to create the Putaway Rule.

2. You can also disable a Putaway Rule if it is no longer needed.

How Putaway Rules Work

Putaway Rules are applied during Purchase Receipts and Stock Entries (Material Receipt & Material Transfer). When the Apply Putaway Rule checkbox is enabled, iVendNext automatically assigns incoming stock to warehouses based on the defined rules.

Putaway Strategy

1. Priority-Based Assignment: Warehouses with higher priority are filled first. If two warehouses have the same priority, the one with more available space is assigned first.

2. Capacity Management: Stock is assigned to warehouses until they reach their full capacity. If all warehouses are full, iVendNext will notify you.

Example Scenario

• Scenario: A Purchase Order is created for 5 cartons (60 units) of mineral water.

• Putaway Rules: Two active Putaway Rules have been created, each with a capacity of 4 cartons (48 units). One warehouse has a higher priority than the other.

• Process:

1. A Purchase Receipt is created from the Purchase Order.

2. The Apply Putaway Rule checkbox is enabled.

3. iVendNext splits the 5 cartons and assigns 4 cartons to the higher-priority warehouse.

4. The remaining 1 carton is assigned to the lower-priority warehouse.

Best Practices for Using Putaway Rules

To make the most of Putaway Rules in iVendNext, consider the following best practices:

1. Regularly Review Warehouse Capacity: Ensure that warehouse capacities are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current stock levels.

2. Prioritize High-Turnover Items: Assign higher priority to warehouses that store high-turnover items to ensure quick access.

3. Use Warehouse Capacity Reports: Leverage iVendNext's Warehouse Capacity Summary Report to monitor warehouse capacities and stock levels.

4. Train Your Team: Ensure that your team understands how Putaway Rules work and how to apply them effectively.

Conclusion

Putaway Rules in iVendNext are a powerful tool for optimizing warehouse management. By automating the process of assigning incoming stock to the most appropriate locations, Putaway Rules help businesses maximize warehouse space, improve efficiency, and reduce errors. Whether you're managing a small warehouse or a large distribution center, Putaway Rules can streamline your operations and ensure that your inventory is always stored in the right place.

Start using Putaway Rules in iVendNext today and take your warehouse management to the next level!