Putaway
Putaway is moving received goods from the dock to their storage location and recording where they went. Good putaway sends each item to a location that suits its size, demand and handling rules, and confirms the move with a scan so the system knows exactly where the stock is.
How directed putaway works
In directed putaway, the system suggests where each item should go. A pallet of linen towels TWL-WHT-L is received under license plate LP-000123. The operator scans the plate, and the system suggests reserve location A-01-02 because it is empty, fits a full pallet, and sits near the towels' pick face.
The operator drives there and scans the location barcode to confirm. If the suggested spot is blocked, they choose another, scan it, and the system records the actual location. Either way, the stock record ends up where the pallet physically is, which is the whole point.
Putaway strategies
Most warehouses mix several rules.
- Fixed locations: each SKU has a home. Easy to learn, wasteful when stock levels swing.
- Dynamic (random) locations: stock goes to any suitable empty location. Uses space well, but depends entirely on scanning.
- Consolidation: add to a location already holding the same SKU and lot, if it fits.
- Velocity-based: fast movers close to dispatch and pick faces, slow movers higher or farther away.
- Constraint-based: respect temperature, hazard class, weight and height limits.
Putaway vs replenishment vs slotting
Putaway moves new stock from the dock into storage. Replenishment moves stock already in storage to a pick face when the pick face runs low. Slotting decides which location each SKU should live in, and good slotting is what makes directed putaway suggestions sensible. The warehouse slotting guide covers how to set those rules up.
Common putaway mistakes
Putaway errors create stock the system can't find.
- Leaving received pallets on the dock for hours, so stock is recorded but not reachable.
- Putting stock away without scanning the location.
- Mixing lots or SKUs in one bin without recording it.
- Ignoring suggestions so often that the rules stop meaning anything.
How NextStock handles putaway
NextStock supports directed putaway on the floor app. Operators scan the item or license plate and the destination bin location, and every location has a barcode and a printable label. Each move is recorded in the movement ledger. See receiving and putaway.
Part of the NextStock warehouse glossary. Browse the full glossary