Overview
Volume-based LP putaway suggests locations where a whole LP, such as a pallet or tote, physically fits. It works in (LP) and LP (Sequential) directed putaway. A warehouse setting decides what "the LP's volume" means: the LP's own outer size, or the combined volume of the products inside it.
For product putaway, see Volume-Based Putaway.
When to use it
Use volume-based LP putaway when:
Pallets or totes are stored in racks or bays where space, not a fixed count, is the limit.
LPs vary in size, so a fixed LP capacity per location doesn't fit reality.
You want to stop drivers travelling to positions where a pallet won't fit.
Prerequisites
A putaway algorithm rule that applies to LP putaway, with the Configure Volumetric Putaway action. See Volume-Based Putaway for how to add it and its options.
Locations have dimensions or a Volume value.
Depending on the warehouse setting below, either LPs have dimensions or a Volume value, or the products inside them do.
An LP takes its dimensions and Volume from its LP type. You can change them on the LP afterwards.
Products, LPs and locations use the same units. Units are never converted.
The warehouse setting: Use LP Dimensions for Volumetric Putaway
Set per warehouse on the warehouse's Settings step (create or edit). Default: Yes.
Setting | The LP's volume is | Location free volume is based on | Choose it when |
Yes (default) | The LP's own dimensions or Volume | Loose products plus the outer volume of LPs already stored there | LPs are rigid containers (pallets, bins) whose outer size is what takes up space |
No | The sum of the volumes of all products inside the LP | The volume of all products in the location, including those inside LPs | LP outer sizes are unreliable, or LPs are loose (bags, wrapped bundles) and shaped by their contents |
This setting is separate from the algorithm's Volume Calculation Method (dimensions or defined Volume). That choice still decides whether L × W × H or the Volume field is used, in both cases.
Changing the setting takes effect immediately, including for putaways already in progress.
How free volume is calculated
With Yes:
Occupied Volume = loose products in the location + outer volume of each non-empty LP in it
Free Volume = (Location Volume × Location Capacity Utilization %) − Occupied Volume
LP fits when: Free Volume ≥ the LP's own volume
With No:
Occupied Volume = volume of all products in the location, including inside LPs
Free Volume = (Location Volume × Location Capacity Utilization %) − Occupied Volume
LP fits when: Free Volume ≥ total volume of the products inside the LP
Empty LPs and parent LPs stored in a location don't count toward its occupied volume.
Free volume is recalculated after every inventory movement and whenever product or location dimensions, volume or units change.
Free volume is not recalculated after any change in the LP volume or dimensions. In that case inventory movement is required for the recalculation.
Volume suggested to other operators but not yet put away is treated as already in use. See Understanding Soft Allocation in Putaway.
Examples
1. Rigid pallet, setting Yes
Bay B-07 is 2.0 m³.
It already holds one pallet whose outer volume is 1.0 m³.
A new pallet measures 1.2 × 1.0 × 1.1 m = 1.32 m³. Free volume is 1.0 m³, so B-07 isn't suggested.
2. The same pallet, setting No
The same pallet holds products totalling 0.8 m³.
The pallet already in B-07 holds 0.9 m³ of products.
Free volume is 2.0 − 0.9 = 1.1 m³, so B-07 is suggested. Use this only if the stock really can share that space.
3. Keeping a buffer
Bay B-08 is 2.0 m³ and empty, with Location Capacity Utilization at 90% (the rule includes Suggest an empty location).
Usable volume is 1.8 m³.
A 1.32 m³ pallet fits; a second one wouldn't (1.8 − 1.32 = 0.48 m³ left).
4. Empty and parent LPs don't take space
Shelf T-03 holds an empty tote and a parent LP with nothing directly in it. Neither counts toward occupied volume, so T-03's free volume is based on its other stock only.
5. Tightest fit for pallets
Rule: Configure Volumetric Putaway, Suggestion Strategy Fit Entire Putaway Volume, Order by Location Empty Volume – Ascending.
For a 1.0 m³ pallet, bays with 1.1 m³, 1.5 m³ and 2.0 m³ free all fit.
The 1.1 m³ bay is suggested first, filling space tightly.
6. Two drivers at once
Bay B-10 has 2.0 m³ free.
Driver A's 1.5 m³ pallet is suggested B-10.
Driver B's 1.0 m³ pallet arrives a moment later.
B-10 is treated as having 0.5 m³ left, so driver B is sent elsewhere.
Validations
Situation | Result |
Parameter Yes: the LP has a zero dimension, or zero Volume with Defined Volume Fields | This volumetric rule is skipped and the next rule in the algorithm is tried |
Parameter No: any product inside the LP has a zero dimension or zero Volume | This volumetric rule is skipped and the next rule in the algorithm is tried |
Parameter No: products inside the LP use different units | No suggestion |
The location has a zero dimension or Volume, or holds stock (or an LP) with zero or missing values | Location skipped |
The location's unit differs from the LP's | Location skipped |
Free volume is smaller than the LP's volume | Location skipped |
Suggestion Strategy is Fit Single Unit Volume | No suggestion when Parameter is Yes. |
💡 Always use Fit Entire Putaway Volume for LP rules. An LP can't be split, so "fits one unit" doesn't apply.
💡 A rule without Suggest an empty location only considers locations that already hold stock. For empty locations, add a second rule with Configure Volumetric Putaway and Suggest an empty location.
Common questions
Which setting should most warehouses use? Yes, the default, for pallets and rigid containers. Use No only when LPs take up roughly the space of their contents.
Does this work for Sequential putaway? Yes. Each child LP is checked the same way.
Can different warehouses use different settings? Yes. The setting is per warehouse and applies to all clients in it.
Why is no location suggested for one particular LP? If the LP (with Yes) or a product inside it (with No) has a zero dimension or zero Volume, the volumetric rule is skipped for that LP, and only the algorithm's next rules can suggest a location. With No, products inside the LP that use different units also prevent a suggestion. See Why Wasn't a Putaway Location Suggested?