Warehouse Structure

SmartWMS uses a flexible hierarchical structure to model any warehouse layout, from small stockrooms to large distribution centers.

Hierarchy Overview

Company (Tenant)
└── Site
    └── Warehouse
        └── Zone
            └── Location (Bin)

Sites

Sites represent physical locations or business units:

Multiple warehouses can belong to one site
Useful for companies with regional offices
Each site can have separate settings

Create a Site:

Go to Configuration → Sites
Click + New Site
Enter name, address, and contact info

Warehouses

A warehouse is a physical storage facility:

Field	Description

Name	Warehouse name
Code	Short identifier
Address	Physical location
Type	Distribution, Fulfillment, Returns
Capacity	Total storage capacity

Settings per Warehouse:

Operating hours
Default receiving zone
Default shipping zone
Inventory counting rules

Zones

Zones divide the warehouse into functional areas:

Zone Type	Purpose	Example

Receiving	Inbound staging	Dock doors area
Bulk Storage	Long-term storage	Pallet racks
Pick	Fast-moving items	Shelving units
Staging	Temporary holding	Floor space
Shipping	Outbound staging	Loading dock
Returns	RMA processing	Dedicated area
Quarantine	QC holds	Isolated section

Locations (Bins)

Locations are specific storage spots:

Location Properties:

Code: Unique identifier (e.g., A-01-02-03)
Zone: Parent zone
Type: Bulk, Pick, Floor, Rack
Status: Active, Inactive, Reserved
Capacity: Max units, weight, volume
ABC Class: A (fast), B (medium), C (slow)

Location Attributes:

Temperature controlled (Y/N)
Hazmat approved (Y/N)
Height restrictions
Weight limits

Best Practices

Naming Convention

Format: [Aisle]-[Rack]-[Level]-[Position]
Example: A-01-03-02
A = Aisle A
01 = Rack number 1
03 = Level 3 (from bottom)
02 = Position 2 (left to right)

Zone Planning

Place receiving near dock doors
Put fast-movers near shipping
Keep returns separate from main inventory
Plan for future growth

Location Sizing

Match bin size to product dimensions
Use mixed sizes for flexibility
Consider pick ergonomics

Bulk Import

Import warehouse structure via Excel:

Download template from Warehouse → Locations
Fill in zone and location data
Upload and validate
Confirm import