Configuring Business Central directed put-away and pick

Who should use Business Central directed put-away and pick

This setup pays off in a warehouse with many bins and separate bulk and pick areas. It suits sites where operators cannot be expected to remember where everything belongs. It also helps sites that store goods with special needs, such as cold or hazardous items. Volume is the deciding factor.

Basic bins and inventory picks often suit a small stockroom with a few shelves better. A heavier setup for a simple site adds documents and clicks without adding control. So we study your layout and order profile first. Then we say so plainly when the lighter option is the right one.

Zones, bin types and rankings in directed put-away and pick

A directed location has zones such as receiving, bulk storage, picking and shipping. Each bin has a bin type that says what may happen there. It also has a ranking that tells the system which bins to prefer when several qualify. The system fills and empties higher ranked bins first.

Warehouse classes keep items that need set conditions in bins equipped for them. You can limit capacity by weight and cubage when you keep item sizes up to date. We build the bin structure in the bin creation worksheet from your real rack layout. So the codes on screen match the labels on the steel.

Put-away templates and pick logic for directed put-away and pick

A put-away template is an ordered list of questions the system asks when goods arrive. Is there a fixed bin for this item? Does a bin already hold it, or one with the same unit of measure? Is there an empty one? The first rule that finds space wins.

Picking works from bin ranking. Where items carry expiry dates, it can follow first-expired-first-out. Breakbulk lets a pick open a case when loose units run short. We write the template lines with your warehouse lead. Then we run receipts and shipments in a sandbox until the suggested bins match what an experienced operator would choose.

Documents in Business Central directed put-away and pick

A warehouse receipt records inbound goods and creates a put-away with take and place lines. You release outbound orders to a warehouse shipment. From there, you create picks or batch them in the pick worksheet. Movements shift stock between bins. Each step is a separate document.

The bin replenishment calculation tops up pick faces. It uses minimum and maximum amounts on bin contents. Counts and corrections use the warehouse physical inventory journal and an adjustment bin. They then sync to the item ledger. We train each role on only the pages it needs.

Moving a live location to Business Central directed put-away and pick

The setting is hard to switch on for a location that already has stock and open documents. The usual route is a new location code with the directed setup. Then comes a planned transfer of stock into its bins through warehouse journals. Both steps need planning.

We plan that move around a count, so that opening bin contents are right from the first pick. Each open order has a plan. It ships from the old location or moves to the new one. Pitfalls we steer around include missing item sizes and pick bins with no minimum amounts. Another is warehouse staff not assigned to the location.

Business Central directed put-away and pick questions

Does directed put-away and pick need the Premium license?

No. Warehouse management, including the directed setup, is part of Essentials. Premium adds manufacturing and service management. License terms can change, so we always confirm the current position on Microsoft's site before you decide. Ask us if you are unsure, and we will check it with you before any work starts.

Can operators override the suggested bin?

Yes. The put-away or pick line shows the suggested bin. An operator with the right permissions can change it before registering. Frequent overrides are a sign that a template rule or ranking needs a change. We check for that after go-live, so the suggestions stay useful and the team keeps trusting them.

Do we need handheld scanners for this setup?

Not strictly, since you can register every document on a computer or tablet. In practice a Business Central directed put-away and pick warehouse works far better with scanning, because staff confirm each take and place line at the bin. That cuts mistakes and saves time. Our barcode scanning page covers the options for handhelds and labels.

Can one company mix directed and simple locations?

Yes. Each location has its own warehouse settings. A main distribution center can run Business Central directed put-away and pick while a small branch uses basic bins or none at all. Transfer orders move stock between them in the normal way. So you can match each site to its real needs and avoid extra work where it adds nothing.

How is replenishment of pick bins handled?

Bin contents hold minimum and maximum amounts for pick bins. The bin replenishment calculation in the movement worksheet proposes moves from bulk bins when a pick bin falls below its minimum. A supervisor then turns them into movement documents. So pick faces stay stocked, and operators do not hunt for goods.

Related warehouse pages

Directed warehousing builds on other parts of the system. The pages below cover the wider warehouse setup, simpler bin handling, scanning on the floor and moving goods straight from receiving to shipping. Read them to decide whether Business Central directed put-away and pick is the right level for your site. Then tell us about your layout, and we will advise. For the product detail, see Set up warehouse management in Business Central on Microsoft Learn.