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Customer Implementation Requirements Guide

OrderFlow Ltd.

Document Version: 4.2.4

Document Built: 2024-02-16

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Warehouse Design

Warehouse Design

A typical OrderFlow instance has one site, sub-divided into areas, which are further sub-divided into locations.

Sites

OrderFlow can support a multi-site environment. Each site is typically a distinct building or geographic location. Channels, users, processes and business rules can be specific to sites. Most warehouse processes run within a site, although OrderFlow supports bulk stock movements between sites.

  • How many sites should your OrderFlow instance support?
  • How should OrderFlow determine what orders should be processed by which site?

Areas

OrderFlow can assign a collection of locations to a specific area. Areas are typically used to scope stock checking activities.

Locations

In order to configure OrderFlow so that it correctly reflects your warehouse design, we need specific details from you on the locations in your warehouse that correspond to the following OrderFlow location logical types:

  • Incoming locations (i.e. for deliveries)
  • Storage locations - bulk and pickable
  • Locations that will be associated with specific OrderFlow workstations (if required)
  • Consolidation locations
  • Quarantine, Frozed and Damaged stock locations
  • Mobile locations (for handheld picking only)

An example warehouse layout using these types is shown below:

Warehouse Layout

We also need to know the physical type of each of these locations, for example:

  • Pallet
  • Shelf
  • Carton
  • Tote
  • Cart
  • Trolley
  • Forklift

This becomes particularly important if you wish to tie the storage of specific types of products to specific location types.

Further, we need to know how you intend to use these locations. For example:

  • Do you wish to have separate bulk storage and replenishment locations?
  • Do you wish to use consolidation locations for cross-docking?
  • Do you wish to optimise your routing through storage locations using a sort indicator, or an alternative type of routing?
  • Do you wish to assign a relative value to different picking locations? For example, high value locations might be those that are more easily accessible.

Once we understand the layout of your warehouse, we can assist you in populating warehouse configuration spreadsheets, which can be used to upload your warehouse areas and locations onto your new OrderFlow instance.

Location Labelling

Once you have uploaded your warehouse locations, you will be able to use OrderFlow to print your location labels.

We will need to know whether you would like to use this facility. If so, you will be able to choose from a set of preconfigured location label generating reports. Alternatively, we will be able to create a customised label that matches any specific requirements you may have.