Efficient Management of Bulky Goods
This specialist article describes how the FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung logistics solution ensures that large or bulky goods are managed in the warehouse correctly, fully and safely, what are the limits of the SAP standard version, how FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung efficiently closes this gap and what advantages result from this.
Product Manager at FIS
What is FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung?
FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung supports the needs-based determination of storage bins and automatically blocks all storage bins used when large and bulky goods are put away (depending on handling unit and storage types). The block will only be removed once the warehouse order has been canceled or the product removed from stock. As a result, the bin status report is always correct. Storage bins can be determined manually or automatically via the putaway strategy which means that putaway can be controlled flexibly. During the physical inventory of a storage bin (all physical inventory types), the concatenated storage bins automatically receive a physical inventory document with zero count.
When is storage bin concatenation used in logistics?
A storage bin concatenation is used for warehouse management if a single storage bin is not sufficient to correctly map an article physically.
The putaway of bulky, high-volume or very long products (e.g. radiators, bathtubs, tubes, machine components or oversized pallet goods) usually requires more than one storage bin as the putaway is spread over several bins.
This is confusing both for the controlling of putaway transactions and the executing warehouse workers and may result in additional expenditure.
What can be mapped in the SAP standard system?
In the SAP standard system, only one storage bin can be selected for each article. The additionally used compartments in the storage section are displayed as empty storage bins in the system and proposed for further putaways. Alternatively, they can be blocked manually and the employee must remember why they have blocked this storage bin and that they have to manually release the storage bin again at a later date (e.g. after selling a bathtub).
The “pallet storage” putaway strategy available in the SAP standard system offers a dynamic subdivision of the storage bin. However, the putaway of different load carriers is not supported in this case.
What benefits are provided by FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung?
In the SAP standard system, only one storage bin can be selected for each article. The additionally used compartments in the storage section are displayed as empty storage bins in the system and proposed for further putaways. Alternatively, they can be blocked manually and the employee must remember why they have blocked this storage bin and that they have to manually release the storage bin again at a later date (e.g. after selling a bathtub).
The “pallet storage” putaway strategy available in the SAP standard system offers a dynamic subdivision of the storage bin. However, the putaway of different load carriers is not supported in this case.
as the system understands that an article blocks several bins at the same time.
as all required warehouse bins are blocked automatically during posting.
e.g. if a single partial storage bin is wrongly displayed as “free”.
as all linked bins are counted together. During the physical inventory of a storage bin, physical inventory documents with zero count are automatically created for all linked bins. Unlike the SAP standard version, where manually blocked storage bins are displayed as empty storage bins, a precise bin status report with correct document situation is always ensured.
Conclusion
FIS/Lagerplatzverkettung ensures that large and bulky goods are mapped in the system in such a way as they are put away in practice. The automatic linking of all used bins results in a consistently correct bin status report – without additional coordination or manual blocks. For companies working with high-volume articles, this means less storage complexity in daily business as well as more security in planning, stock and physical inventory.