TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

This manager guide is intended to help new managers learn about the day-to-day tasks that are required to run an operation using the WarehouseOS system. Whether you are new to system, looking for more training, or wanting a refresher in general this guide will help point you in the right direction.

This article will cover:

  • Batching and managing orders

  • Pick Sequences and warehouse layout

  • User management and Group/Role permissions

Batching & Managing Orders

WOS downloads orders every 10-30 minutes depending on how the integration is setup with the host system. When orders come into the system, managers will be able to see the accumulating list from the Orders page. Go to Order -> Orders to view the queue of orders. From this page managers can view order details and perform actions using the menu at the bottom of the grid. These actions include order status changes, assigning orders to a device, manually allocating the order, and much more.

Orders

Below are some examples of what fields you will see on the orders page:

  • Order Status
    • Hold - An order may be placed on Hold at any time prior to the order being completed

    • Available - The order is available to be batched or pulled to a tablet to be single picked

    • In process - The order has been assigned to a specific device (iPad) for picking. An order will also show in process when an order is pulled down to an iPad to be Batch or Single picked

    • Complete - Order has been Picked to completion. The order is no longer active and cannot be reactivated without resetting all of the picks on the order and starting from the beginning

    • Complete and Packed - Order has been completely Packed. The order Status is Complete and a flag on the order indicates that it has been Packed

    • Complete and Verified - Order has been completely Verified. The order Status is Complete and a flag on the order indicates that it has been Verified

  • Created Date Time

    • This date can be set when the order is created, allowing this date to represent some value from the host system
    • If the date is not set when the order is created, the date is set with a timestamp of when the order was created in WarehouseOS
  • In Process Date Time
    • >The date the order was assigned to a tablet and the order had started picking
  • Completed Date Time
    • The date the order was picked complete. (NOT including when the order was packed or verified)
  • Order Pick Method
    • All - Order can be picked with any method (this is the default option)
    • SinglePickOnly - Order must be picked one at a time through Single Pick
    • BatchPickOnly - Order can only be picked as part of a batch through Batch Pick

Allocation

The most common type of allocation routine that WOS runs is the ‘Inventory’ allocation routine. This means that order lines allocate only to where available inventory exists. Typically orders are flagged for allocation on import (this can be determined by the integration), the allocation services pick these up and run every 5 minutes. For more information and options on allocation please refer to our Order Allocation article.

Before orders allocate, the Allocation column will display the status “Not Allocated”; after allocating the column will display the zone(s) for the locations allocated to, or “No Zone” if there are no zones assigned to locations, or “Unknown” for order lines that didn’t find available inventory.

  • Unknown Types
    • Unknown - When shown in the allocated column, this signifies that there is at least one line item on the order that does not have inventory in the system to pick for
    • All Unknown- When shown in the allocated column, this signifies that all lines on the order do not have inventory in the system to pick for

Batch Build

Batch Build is where orders are grouped into batches so they can be picked. There are 3 types of batches that can be created and they relate to the type of picking that will be performed

  • Standard Batches - Used in Batch Picking and packed in either the Packing or Verify app. These are assigned to configurable Cart Types
  • PackOne Batches - Used in Batch Picking and packed in the PackOne app. These are assigned to the Cart Type "PackOne"
  • Cell Pick Batches - Used in Cell Picking. These are assigned to a Cell Group

Unassigned Orders

The Unassigned Orders grid shows all the orders that are Available, not already assigned to a Cart Type or Cell Group, and has a Pick Method that allows batching (All or BatchPickOnly).

Note: Orders in a Hold status will not show up in the Unassigned grid and must be found and released from the Hold status in the Orders page.

Orders in the unassigned grid can be filtered to identify orders that should be batched together. The selection of filters can be saved as a Saved Filter to speed up assigning the same filters again in the future. For more information on saved filters please refer to our Saved Filters article.

Filter by Eligibility

All batch types are created from the same page. Three columns help determine the eligibility of an order.

  • PackOne Batch: Only orders with a single line item are eligible for PackOne batches. These must be batched into the Cart Type "PackOne" to be eligible for the PackOne picking and packing processes.
  • Cell Pick Batch: Only orders that can be fully picked from within a Cell are eligible for Cell Pick baches. The Cell Groups which contain all of the items on the order are displayed in the Cell Groups column. These must be batched into a Cell Group to be eligible for the Cell Pick process.
  • Full Order Zone Batch: Instead of an Eligibility column, orders that can be fully picked within a zone marked as a Full Order Zone will show the Zone names in the Full order Zones column. Select the Assign to Full Order Zone option when batching to have these orders reallocated to the specified zone
Note: All orders are eligible for a Standard batch. For simplicity, there isn't a column to indicate this eligibility. After batching for specialized batches like Cell Pick, PackOne, etc, all remaining orders can be assigned and batched into a Cart Type for standard batch picking


Once you have applied filters, you can either assign the cart type for filtered orders, or just create the batch.
  • Batch Build has provided additional options when batching. To do this, you choose to either Assign (only assign the cart type and not actually batch the orders) or to Batch (assign the cart type and then batch the orders)
  • After selecting Assign or Batch, a popup will allow for further options, including choosing to batch all filtered orders or orders selected in the grid.


Once you click Save Selected or Save Filtered the batch will be created in the Batches page. Go to Batch -> Batches to view the queue of Available and In Process Batches. From the batches page managers can view order/batch details, and also change the priority sequence of a batch, assign it to a device, manually allocate the batch and much more. For more information and strategy on how to create batches please refer to our Building Batches article. 

Pick Sequence & Warehouse Layout

When it comes to setting up your system in WOS, one of the most crucial things to put in place is an organized Location list for your warehouse layout. Locations are the centralized piece for an efficient inventory management process. In the WOS system, locations cover a variety of purposes:

  • Locations determine where and how much inventory you have of an item. 
  • Multi-Bins can have the same item in various locations
  • Multi-Items allow you to place different items in locations
  • Locations are used as the primary value to direct users in picking and replenishment functions
  • With the use of locations, you can identify different ways of utilizing warehouse space

Location Naming

The first step in creating locations is determining how you would like to name the locations throughout the warehouse. Below are details for naming locations in WOS:

  • WOS uses a Row-Bay-Tier-Slot configuration when name locations
  • These locations can contain values such as letters and numbers and can be separated by spaces or special characters
  • Keeping a structured and consistent naming convention helps alleviate any confusion on what a location value means.
  • It also is used as an organized way to add more locations and change sequences within WOS


The next step is to design the flow of the pick path that you would like pickers to go through. You can do this by going through the following:

  • Laying out the numbering of rows and bays is a key step to designing the setup of locations based on naming convention
  • Identifying a common organized numbering system helps users understand how to read locations in their warehouse layout
  • Adding flow indicators helps identify where you can start and end a pick path

Pick Sequence

As you create your Pick Path Design, the pick sequence value is the deciding factor of how locations are sorted in the WOS picking apps. The goal is to create this with the most efficient pick path in mind. Starting the first location at a pick sequence 10 and adding 10 for each location that goes after it is one of the easy ways to keep your pick sequence organized and if needed it helps when customizing or adding more locations down the road as you have 10 spaces between each location value that can be manipulated.

Application to locations

  • This sequence is applied to locations in the warehouse for the most efficient path for picking and replenishment functions
  • Gives users a direct optimal pick path to go through their pick list
  • Sequence can be started in any part of the warehouse as long as it flows in Pick Path

Location Type Application

As you get location names and sequencing setup the next thing to think about is the different Types of locations that are set in the WOS system. Location types can determine what orders go to what location, and also helps sort out the different storing purposes for Inventory. Below is a summary of each Location Type and its purpose:

  • Pick: This type should be applied to any bin locations in the pick face
  • BackStock: Users can pick to BackStock if there is no inventory in the pick face for requested item. Backstock locations are used to indicate sections of the warehouse that are not intended for picking, 
  • Reserve: Good inventory but not pickable till you move it to a different location
  • Receive: Used to store committed PO receipts temporarily. PO Putaway is performed to move inventory into other locations
  • Hold: Non-sellable inventory. This inventory is reported on the Inventory Summary Report. (Available – Hold)
  • Replenishment: Dedicated for sole use of replenishment. This type acts as a location to pick to and pull from. Stage inventory during the replenishment process
  • Ship, not shown as it doesn’t currently have a purpose in the system, but can be used to designate locations for other purposes outside of working types

Show below is each Location Type with its respective icon that is shown throughout the WOS apps. For more details on locations refer to our Locations article.

Zones

Zones are used in WOS to segment your warehouse. Below are the different ways you can apply zones in you operation:

  • Main use is to create sections in the warehouse
  • In outlining your zones, identifying these sections can include what section holds small, medium, and large inventory as well as separating your pick face and backstock
  • Identify your different storage zones, product-based zones, returns zone, zone for packing material etc.
  • Zones assigned to pick locations are grouped when batching and can be used to batch orders to minimize travel distance within a zone
  • Users will need to be assigned to Zones in order to perform picking and replenishment functions

Areas

Areas are used in WOS to separate inventory, and identify where orders should be picked from, if fulfilling out of multiple facilities. Summary of Area application:

  • A way to keep track of separate and unique inventories
  • Separate two different warehouse locations
  • Segment physical locations in a warehouse for a separate product inventory
  • Area implementation requires a change in the inventory allocation routine, so orders are only allocated to their designated area
  • Users will need to be assigned to an Area to perform any functions on the app

From location naming, to pick sequence and areas and zones, you can optimize the way your warehouse layout runs by applying these in your location setup. For more details on zones and areas refer to our Zones & Areas article.

User Management & Group/Role Permissions

User logins are created for employees that will need to login to the iPad and perform functions on the WOS app. For step by step instruction on how to create and manage users, follow the link to our WOS Operations Users article. Users use Groups to assign permissions in the WOS Operations app. Because a User is assigned to a Group, processes can differ for warehouse employees based on skill, experience, or job responsibilities. For more details on group settings, refer to our WOS Operations Groups article. 

Lastly, Account logins are created for employees that will need to login into their WOS website. The website should be accessible by searching your browser for (yourdomain).warehouseos.com. The domain for your site is setup through our implementation process. Accounts should be created for those who need to create batches, edit locations/items and other functions that supervisors, leads, and managers oversee. For step by step instruction on how to create and manage accounts, follow the link to our WOS Manager Accounts article. Similar to how Users are assigned to Groups for permissions, accounts will need to be assigned to a Role in order to access the specific pages that are allowed within the Role permissions. An admin Role will have view and edit access throughout all the navigational tabs and pages on the WOS site. To setup roles, follow the instructions in our WOS Manager Roles article.