Warehouse Management

Directed Putaway

Tell receivers exactly where to put incoming inventory. Smart slotting rules optimize pick paths and warehouse organization automatically.

See How It Works

Why Random Putaway Hurts Efficiency

Scattered Inventory

Without direction, receivers put items wherever is convenient. Same SKU ends up in 10 different locations.

Long Pick Paths

Fast-moving items stored in back corners. Pickers walk past slow movers to reach high-velocity SKUs.

Size Mismatches

Small items in oversized bins waste space. Large items crammed into small bins cause damage and confusion.

How Directed Putaway Works in Fulfil

Define slotting rules and the system tells receivers exactly which bin to use for each item.

Key Capabilities

Velocity-based slotting
Fast movers go to prime locations near pack stations. Slow movers go to back storage.
Size-based rules
Match item dimensions to bin sizes. Small items to small bins, bulk items to floor locations.
Zone assignment
Route products to designated zones by category, brand, or temperature requirements.
Consolidation priority
Put new inventory next to existing stock of same SKU when possible.
Mobile app guidance
Receiver's mobile app shows exact bin location. Scan to confirm putaway.

Example Putaway Rules

A-Class SKUs High Velocity

Aisles 1-5, eye-level bins, within 50ft of pack station

B-Class SKUs Medium Velocity

Aisles 6-15, any level, standard picking zone

C-Class SKUs Low Velocity

Aisles 16-25, back storage, any available bin

Bulk Items Oversized

Floor locations, bulk storage zone, pallet racks

Slotting Strategies

Velocity Slotting

Place items based on how often they're picked. Fulfil calculates velocity from order history automatically.

• A items: 80% of picks, 20% of SKUs
• B items: 15% of picks, 30% of SKUs
• C items: 5% of picks, 50% of SKUs

Ergonomic Slotting

Heavy items at waist height. Light items on top and bottom shelves. Reduces injury and speeds picking.

• Golden zone: 24-48 inches from floor
• Heavy items: never above shoulder
• Frequently picked: eye level

Family Grouping

Store related items together. If products are often ordered together, slot them in adjacent bins.

• Same brand items together
• Frequently co-ordered SKUs nearby
• Product line grouping

Results from Directed Putaway

30%

Reduction in pick time

25%

Better space utilization

40%

Faster receiver training

Zero

Guessing where to put items

Common Questions

What if the suggested bin is full?

The system provides alternate locations ranked by preference. If Bin A-5 is full, it suggests A-6, then A-7. Receivers can also manually select a bin if needed—the system logs the override for later analysis.

How often should we re-slot the warehouse?

Review slotting quarterly or after major changes to product mix. Fulfil provides reports showing which SKUs have changed velocity—items that were C-class but now sell frequently should move to better locations.

Can putaway rules vary by warehouse?

Yes. Each warehouse can have different putaway rules based on its layout and product mix. A small warehouse might use simple rules while a large facility has complex zone-based logic.

How do new products get slotted?

New products without velocity history can be assigned based on expected velocity (from forecasts), product category defaults, or physical attributes (size/weight). After initial sales, the system recalculates optimal location.

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