Simply explained: warehouse regulations with practical examples from intralogistics
The efficient operation of a warehouse is characterized by operational tasks that are diverse in nature. This means, for example, the allocation and definition of storage areas, the classification of such areas, the monitoring of inventories and a continuous analysis of the optimization potential. The camp rules play into this, as they form the basis for the organization of camp space allocation.
Definition of warehouse order: A system that makes warehouse items uniquely assignable
A look in the cellar at home or in the attic shows that even in chaos there is obviously "system". One meticulously sorts and categorizes, the other takes a coarser approach and divides into a few distinguishing features. And yet, at least from the point of view of the originator, there is a certain stock order. The only difference is that this rarely seems as clear and transparent to outsiders.
Having said this, this already describes the core of the camp order. It is a system that allows to clearly assign stock items and stock order. The function of the warehouse regulations is to establish rules on how goods are stored and transported.
Important: Depending on the choice of storage order, IT-supported storage location management is required in order not to lose the overview. For which types of bearing order this applies and what the differences are, you will learn in the next paragraph.
Overview of types of bearing arrangement and their advantages
Depending on the size, type of goods and scope of the product range, different storage orders are chosen or preferred depending on the industry. We present the main types and their differences below:
Fexte (fixed) camp order
In this method, an item or a concrete stored good is basically assigned the same storage bin. Pickers know at a glance where the goods they are looking for are located and can thus optimize their processes. Aspects such as the value of the goods, the length of the path or the weight, product dimensions as well as volume and withdrawal frequency form criteria for the storage location order. The advantage of this camp order is the simplicity of the organization of the camp, it is designed clearly and comprehensibly.
However, the fixed storage arrangement has the disadvantage of a fixed capacity limit, and new allocations are also associated with a high level of effort. The omission of an item, for example due to non-existent supplier connections, also provides for empty spaces.
Variable (free or chaotic) bearing order
This form of storage order is based on the fact that each item is always arbitrarily placed where space is currently free. This can be done randomly ("chaos camp") or guided by criteria. Typically, access frequency is among the important aspects, but cross-allocation is also common. This requires intelligent, computer-aided storage location management.
An advantage of the free storage order is above all that existing storage capacity can be utilized in the best possible way, guided by algorithms. At the same time, the underlying warehouse regulations and organization are very complex, and warehouse employees must be continuously trained and incoming and outgoing goods must be permanently documented.
Fixed variable bearing order
A third variant puts both types of storage order together, combining them and thus combining advantages from both systems. This is implemented, for example, by a clearly defined assortment that is brought in within a certain storage zone. However, the system within this zone is chaotic, free choice of place applies and thus what the chaotic camp order is able to do on a small scale.
