The storage process can be divided into further sub-processes for better illustration.

At the first level, these are the processes of storage location management and inventory management.

 

Storage location management

Storage location management is divided into the following key areas:

• Warehouse organization, with the following key points:
  • Storage parameterization for high flexibility in capacity utilization
  • Promotion of inventory with different quality levels
  • Promotion of mixed cartons, returns, and customer-specific carton contents/lots
  • Development of an economical storage topology and zone strategy
• Occupancy and space allocation strategy, with the following key points:
  • Development of article- and storage area-related strategies
  • Consideration of good space utilization and short distances for storage and retrieval
  • Ensuring needs-based storage space allocation—from fixed space allocation to dynamic storage space allocation
• Movement, with the following key points:
  • Optimization through consolidation processes
  • Design of transparent processes in the movement log

Inventory management

Inventory management is divided into the following key areas:

• Article master data maintenance, with the following key points:
  • Recording and managing article master data
  • Maintaining logistical data for articles
• Inventory planning, with the following key points:
  • Fulfilling the required delivery capability through optimal inventory management
  • Developing planning strategies based on article logistics data
  • Ensuring the availability of goods at the point of access
  • Providing cross-location replenishment strategies
• Inventory movements, with the following key points:
  • Execution of individual and collective stock transfers
  • Planning of automatic and (controlled) manual inventory corrections
  • Ensuring visibility of all movements in the inventory log
• Inventory functions, with the following key points:
  • Permanent updating of all inventory-relevant data during inventory movements
  • Certification of all processes – with auditor’s certificate
• Customs processes, with the following key features:
  • Traceability of origin
  • Management of customs data from goods receipt to goods issue

 

For more information on storage location management, see Customs warehousing.

For more information, see The importance of warehousing.

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