đŚ Inventory Module
Purpose:
- Tracks quantities, costs, and basic stock movements (e.g., purchases, sales, transfers).
- Focuses on financial and inventory valuation (e.g., average cost, FIFO).
Key Features:
- Item Master Data
- Manages item cards (SKUs, descriptions, costs, pricing).
- Basic Transactions
- Records purchases, sales, and transfers without detailed location/bin tracking.
- Inventory Valuation
- Calculates COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) and stock values.
- Stock Replenishment
- Generates purchase orders based on reorder points.
- Simple Adjustments
- Uses Item Journals to post inventory changes (e.g., losses, corrections).
When to Use:
- Small businesses without complex warehousing needs.
- Companies that only need to track “what” and “how much” (not “where”).
Example:
- Posting a sales order reduces inventory quantity but doesnât specify which bin the item came from.
đď¸ Warehouse Management Module
Purpose:
- Manages physical storage, movement, and logistics within a warehouse.
- Focuses on efficiency, space optimization, and labor tracking.
Key Features:
- Bin and Location Tracking
- Tracks items by specific bins/zones (e.g., “Aisle 1, Bin 05”).
- Directed Put-Away & Pick
- Automates storage/picking based on bin ranking, FIFO/FEFO, or zones.
- Advanced Documents
- Uses Warehouse Receipts, Shipments, Pick Worksheets, and Put-Away Worksheets.
- Mobile Device Support
- Enables barcode scanning and real-time updates for warehouse staff.
- Cross-Docking & Cycle Counting
- Streamlines workflows for high-volume warehouses.
When to Use:
- Medium/large warehouses with complex layouts or high SKU counts.
- Businesses needing traceability (e.g., lot/bin tracking for compliance).
Example:
- Receiving 100 laptops, assigning them to Bin A-01-01 (Rank 10), and picking them via FEFO rules.
đ Key Differences Summary
| Aspect | Inventory Module | Warehouse Management Module |
| Focus | Financial tracking (quantities, costs) | Physical logistics (bins, movements, labor) |
| Granularity | Location-level (no bin tracking) | Bin-level tracking |
| Transactions | Basic purchases/sales/transfers | Directed put-away, picks, shipments |
| Valuation | Yes (COGS, inventory valuation) | No (relies on Inventory Module for costs) |
| Automation | Manual or semi-automated | Rules-based (bin ranking, FEFO, cross-dock) |
| Users | Accountants, procurement teams | Warehouse staff, forklift operators |
đĄWhat you have learned in this post:
Q: What is a Fixed Bin in Business Central?
A Fixed Bin is a permanent storage location assigned to a specific item in your warehouse. It ensures consistent inventory organization and helps reduce picking errors.
Q: What is a Floating Bin in Business Central?
A: A Floating Bin is a dynamic storage location that can hold various items at different times. It allows flexible space utilization for fast-moving or irregular inventory.
Q: When should I use Fixed vs Floating Bins?
A: Use Fixed Bins for stable, frequently stocked items. Use Floating Bins for overflow, temporary storage, or items with unpredictable storage needs.
Q: How do I set up Fixed and Floating Bins in Business Central?
A: Navigate to the Location Card and Bin Content pages. Check or uncheck the Fixed option to designate a bin type accordingly.
query@smartmilestones.com
Contact us for more tips and consulting support!