In Oracle Cloud Warehouse Management System (WMS), locations are critical for defining where inventory resides or moves within a warehouse or facility. These are organized within facilities, and the types of locations and their functionality determine how inventory is stored, picked, packed, or shipped.
Here’s a detailed explanation of different location types and their functionalities, along with examples:
1. Storage Location
Function: Used to store inventory for longer durations. These are the core locations where stock resides until needed for outbound or replenishment.
Key Uses:
- Inventory putaway
- Cycle counting
- Replenishment to forward pick
Examples:
- STOR-01-A-01: Storage location in Aisle 01, Bay A, Level 01
- Bulk storage like pallets of rice or cartons of electronics
2. Forward Pick Location
Function: These are smaller, easily accessible locations used to store fast-moving inventory for quick picking.
Key Uses:
- Picking smaller quantities quickly
- Replenished from storage locations
Examples:
- PICK-FP-01: Forward picking bin for small electronics like chargers
- FP-01-RACK3: Forward pick bin in rack 3 of zone 01
3. Receiving Location
Function: Where inventory first lands when received from suppliers before it is put away or cross-docked.
Key Uses:
- Receipts from ASN
- Inbound inspection
- Putaway staging
Examples:
- RECV-DOCK-01: Dock door for receiving goods
- RECV-STAGE-01: Temporary staging before putaway
4. Staging Location
Function: Temporary locations used to stage inventory before shipping (outbound staging) or after receiving (inbound staging).
Key Uses:
- Order consolidation
- Load planning
- Pallet building for outbound
Examples:
- STAGE-OUT-01: Outbound staging location for Zone 01
- STAGE-IN-01: Inbound staging for inspection
5. Packing Location
Function: Used to pack picked inventory before shipping.
Key Uses:
- Packing items into cartons
- Label generation
- Final verification
Examples:
- PACK-01: Packing station for ecommerce orders
- PACK-ZONE-A: Area for bulk shipment packing
6. Shipping Dock Location
Function: Final location before inventory leaves the facility.
Key Uses:
- Load to trailer
- Load consolidation
- Shipping confirmation
Examples:
- DOCK-01: Outbound dock door
- DOCK-TRAILER-03: Staging for truck 03
7. Non-Allocatable Location
Function: Inventory stored here cannot be picked or allocated. Used for damaged, quarantine, or return goods.
Key Uses:
- Quarantine inventory
- Hold inventory due to QC issues
- Returns processing
Examples:
- HOLD-01: Hold area for inspection
- DMG-01: Damaged goods area
8. Cycle Count Location
Function: Locations flagged specifically for regular cycle counting.
Key Uses:
- Trigger automated or manual counts
- Location-based counting strategies
Examples:
- Any location flagged as part of ABC grouping for cycle count (e.g., CC-A-01)
9. Value-Added Services (VAS) Location
Function: Used for locations where items go through additional processing like kitting, labeling, tagging, etc.
Key Uses:
- Kitting
- Repackaging
- Custom labeling
Examples:
- VAS-01: Gift wrapping station
- VAS-KIT-02: Kitting area for promotional bundles
