Introduction
The Volume-Based Putaway feature optimizes warehouse storage by suggesting putaway locations based on the available volume. This system directs incoming inventory to the most space-efficient locations by calculating and comparing the volume of products against the capacity of locations. This ensures that products are placed in locations that can accommodate them, maximizing space utilization and improving warehouse organization.
Before You Begin
To use Volume-Based Putaway, you must first ensure that your product and location data is properly configured. The algorithm relies on this data for its calculations.
Product Data: Every product intended for this putaway logic must have its dimensions (Height, Width, Length) or a specific Volume value entered in its product master data. See the Create a Product article for more details.
Location Data: All potential putaway locations must have their dimensions or a specific Volume value defined in the location master data. See the Create a Location article for more information.
How Volume-Based Putaway Works
The core of this feature is the algorithm's ability to calculate and validate volume to find the best-fitting location.
Volume Calculation
The system can calculate volume in two ways, depending on your putaway-algorithm configuration:
Use Product & Location Dimensions: The volume is calculated from the height, width, and length (H x W x L) defined on the product and location master data.
Use Defined Volume Fields: The system uses the manually entered, pre-defined volume values on the product and location master data.
The location's empty volume is determined by the formula:
Dynamic Capacity Recalculation
To ensure suggestions are always accurate, the system automatically updates location capacity information in response to changes:
After Inventory Transactions: Following inventory-modifying operations such as putaways, picks, or cycle count adjustments, the system re-evaluates the location's occupied volume to keep the data current for subsequent putaway operations.
On Location Update: When a location's dimensions or volume fields are updated, its total and remaining capacity values must be immediately recalculated and updated.
On Product Update: If a product's dimensions or volume is updated, the system recalculates the occupied and remaining capacity for every location where that product is stored.
Validations
To ensure accuracy, the algorithm filters out and ignores unsuitable locations. The specific validations performed depend on the volume calculation method selected in the Configure Volumetric Putaway action in the putaway algorithm configuration.
1-Unit Consistency
The system requires a strict match for the unit of measure. It
does not perform automatic unit conversions (e.g., from cubic centimeters to cubic inches). This rule applies to both calculation methods:
If using Use Product & Location Dimensions, the system validates the Dimension Unit (e.g., cm, in).
If using Use Defined Volume Fields, the system validates the Volume Unit (e.g., m³, in³).
Example: If you are putting away an item measured in inches, the algorithm will ignore any potential locations that are measured in meters or that contain existing stock measured in cm.
2-Zero or Missing Values
The system checks for zero values, based on your configuration. An item with an invalid value will disqualify its location from being suggested.
When using "Use Product & Location Dimensions":
Putaway Product: No suggestions are made if the item being put away has a zero Height, Width, or Length.
Stock in Location: Locations are ignored if any existing stock has a zero Height, Width, or Length. This check includes items inside License Plates (LPs).
Location: Locations with a zero value in any dimension are ignored, as their total capacity cannot be calculated.
When using "Use Defined Volume Fields":
Putaway Product: No suggestions are made if the item's defined Volume is zero.
Stock in Location: Locations are ignored if any existing stock has a defined Volume of zero
Location: Locations with a defined Volume of zero are ignored.
3-Validations within License Plates (LPs)
All validation rules, including unit consistency and zero-value checks, are applied to all inventory within a location. This includes items packed into single or nested License Plates (LPs).
Example: "Location-02" contains "LP-101". Inside "LP-101" is "Product-C," which has a zero height. If your algorithm uses the dimension method, "Location-02" will be disqualified.
Configuration: Setting Up the Algorithm
To use this feature, you must configure it within the Putaway Algorithms screen.
Navigate to Algorithms under the Automation menu.
Create a new algorithm or edit an existing one.
In the rule configuration, add the primary action:
Configure Volumetric Putaway. This action serves as the master control for the entire feature.
When you add the primary action, three new action items will automatically appear. You must configure them to control the putaway logic.
Volumetric Putaway Action Items
Configure Volumetric Putaway:This is the primary action. Within it, you must select the Volume Calculation Method:
Use Product & Location Dimensions (Default): Calculates volume using the H x W x L of products and locations.
Use Defined Volume Fields: Uses the specific volume figures entered on the product and location records.
Volumetric Putaway - Suggestion Strategy This dependent action determines how the algorithm finds a suitable location. It defaults to "Fit Entire Putaway Volume".
Fit Entire Putaway Volume (Default): Suggests locations where the total volume of the items being put away can fit into the location's remaining empty volume.
Fit Single Unit Volume: Suggests locations that can fit at least one unit of the item being put away.
Volumetric Putaway - Location Capacity Utilization (%) This dependent action allows you to maintain a buffer of empty space in your locations. It defaults to 100%.
For example, if you set this to 90%, the system will only consider 90% of a location's total volume as usable, reserving 10% as a buffer.
Note: The dependent actions ("Suggestion Strategy" and "Location Capacity Utilization") cannot be added by themselves; they are only selectable after the main "Configure Volumetric Putaway" action has been added. Removing the primary action will also remove the dependent actions
Ordering Suggestions
To prioritize which valid location is suggested first, you can use the Order By settings. A new method has been added specifically for this feature:
Order By Method: Select Location Empty Volume.
Sort Method: Choose how to order the locations:
Ascending: Suggests the location with the least amount of empty space first (tightest fit).
Descending: Suggests the location with the most amount of empty space first.
Special Cases
Suggesting an Empty Location: To enable empty location validation, "Suggest an Empty Location" action has to be seperately added. When evaluating a completely empty location, the system bypasses the unit validation checks. It will suggest the empty location as long as its total capacity is sufficient for the incoming inventory's volume.
Known Limitations
To ensure the Volume-Based Putaway feature functions correctly, please be aware of the following limitations:
Product-Level Only: This feature is designed exclusively for suggesting putaway locations for individual products or SKUs. It does not support putaway suggestions for entire License Plates (LPs), pallets, or totes.
Strict Unit of Measure Matching: The algorithm requires that the unit of measure is identical across the product being put away, the target location, and any products already in that location. The system does not perform automatic unit conversions (e.g., inches to centimeters). A location will be ignored if there is a unit mismatch.
Dependency on Data Integrity (No Zero Values): The feature's accuracy is entirely dependent on complete and correct master data. The algorithm will fail to provide suggestions if critical data is missing or zero.
Configuration Constraints: The volumetric actions within the Putaway Algorithm have specific structural rules:
The primary action, Configure Volumetric Putaway, can only be added once per rule block.
The dependent actions, Volumetric Putaway - Suggestion Strategy and Volumetric Putaway - Location Capacity Utilization (%), cannot be selected on their own. They appear automatically only when the primary action is added
Practical Scenarios: Which Setting Should I Choose?
Use Product & Location Dimensions vs. Use Defined Volume Fields:
Choose Dimensions when you stock regularly shaped items in standard boxes. The system can reliably calculate volume for you.
Choose Defined Volume Fields when you stock irregularly shaped items (e.g., apparel, furniture) where a simple HxWxL calculation is not accurate. You can enter a more realistic volume value manually.
Ordering by Location Empty Volume (Ascending vs. Descending):
Choose Ascending (Tightest Fit) to maximize warehouse density. The system will fill up existing locations as much as possible before moving to a new one. This is ideal for uniform product sizes.
Choose Descending to leave more room in each location. This can be useful if you expect to put away more of the same item into that location soon, preventing the need for frequent replenishment.
Troubleshooting: Why Wasn't My Location Suggested?
If the putaway algorithm does not suggest a location you were expecting, it's likely because the location failed one of the system's validation checks. Review this checklist:
Is there a Unit Mismatch? The item you are putting away must have the same unit of measure (e.g., inches, cm) as the location and all other items already stored in that location. The system will not mix units.
Are there Zero Values? Check if the item being put away, the location itself, or any item already in the location (including inside LPs) has a 0 for its height, width, length, or defined volume. A zero value will disqualify the location.
Does the Item Physically Fit? Ensure the Location Empty Volume is greater than or equal to the volume of the item you are putting away. Remember to account for the Location Capacity Utilization (%) setting, which may reduce the usable empty volume.