Bin Tracking
Bin tracking in ianaiERP lets you manage specific storage areas (bins) within a location (aisle/row/shelf/floor).
Overview
- Granular control: Know exactly where items sit inside each location.
- Process visibility: Bin info appears on receipts, adjustments, transfers, picks, and shipments.
- Accuracy & speed: Clear bin structure supports audits and reduces picking errors.
Where to Access
- Bins list: Miscellaneous ▸ Bin Location
- Default bin per item: Inventory ▸ Items ▸ Add New ▸ Initial Location (Bin Setup)
Key Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Bin | A defined storage area inside a location |
| Location-specific | Each location has its own bin structure; enabled when creating the location |
| Immutable setting | Once bin tracking is enabled for a location, it can't be disabled — and can't be enabled later for existing non-bin locations |
| Bin Number | Unique identifier; consider prefixes for multi-location setups |
| Description | Human-readable label for the bin |
| Location (link) | The bin's parent location |
| Sequence Number (0–9999) | Ordering/route cue for picks |
| Contents column | Optional view on the Bins list to see items in each bin |
| Default Bin (item) | Per-item default used on transactions |
| Location Settings (item list) | Use when the same item has different default bins per location |
| Data Tools (bulk) | Export/Import Items to assign default bins in bulk — enter bin numbers, then do a second bulk edit to place stock |
Key Functions
Step 1: Add Bins to a Location
- Go to Company ▸ Miscellaneous ▸ Bins.
- Click Add New (top-right).
- Enter the following:
- Bin Number: Unique identifier (consider a prefix for multi-location setups).
- Description: Clear description of the bin.
- Location: Select the bin-tracked location.
- Sequence Number: A number (0–9999) indicating the bin's order.
- Save the bin.
- Repeat for all required bins.
Step 2: Assign Items to Bins
For a few items:
- Go to Inventory ▸ Items.
- Edit the item.
- Select the appropriate bin from the Default Bin dropdown.
- Save the item.
For many items (bulk edit):
- Go to Settings ▸ Import/Export Data.
- Select Items under the Standard section.
- On the Item export page: filter by the desired location, select "Add all columns required for import," and choose your export format.
- Edit the exported file, entering bin numbers in the Bin column (Column O).
- Import the modified file via Company ▸ Data Tools ▸ Import Data.
Note: To add stock to bins, perform a second bulk edit with item quantities and values.
Using Bin-Tracked Items
- Bin information appears on item receipts, adjustments, transfers, pick tickets, and shipments.
- For items stored at multiple locations with different default bins, use the Location Settings action on the Items list.
Transferring Bin-Tracked Inventory
Use the inventory transfer feature to move items:
- Between bin-tracked locations
- Between bins within the same location
- To or from non-bin-tracked locations
The transfer form displays the appropriate "From Bin" and "To Bin" fields based on the locations involved.
Changing Bin Tracking Status for a Location
Bin tracking status can't be changed for existing locations. To effectively change it:
- Create a new location with the desired bin tracking status.
- Transfer inventory from the old location to the new one.
- Delete or rename the old location to prevent future use.
Best Practices
- Establish a clear naming convention for bins, especially in multi-location setups.
- Regularly audit bin contents to ensure accuracy.
- Train staff on proper bin tracking procedures to maintain inventory accuracy.
- Use barcode scanning when available to reduce errors in bin assignments and transfers.
Related Features
For more detailed information on using bin tracking in specific processes, please refer to the respective sections in this documentation.