Bin Management
Organize warehouse inventory by specific locations using NetSuite's bin management system.
What is Bin Management?
BIN MANAGEMENT CONCEPT
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WAREHOUSE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Zone A (Receiving) Zone B (Storage) Zone C (Shipping) │
│ ┌─────┬─────┬─────┐ ┌─────┬─────┬─────┐ ┌─────┬─────┐ │
│ │A-01 │A-02 │A-03 │ │B-01 │B-02 │B-03 │ │C-01 │C-02 │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ NEW │ QC │STAGE│ │BULK │BULK │PICK │ │PACK │SHIP │ │
│ └─────┴─────┴─────┘ └─────┴─────┴─────┘ └─────┴─────┘ │
│ │
│ Zone D (High Value) │
│ ┌─────┬─────┐ │
│ │D-01 │D-02 │ ← Secure/restricted bins │
│ │LOCK │LOCK │ │
│ └─────┴─────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bin = Specific physical location where items are stored
(shelf, rack, floor location, pallet position)
When to Use Bins
| Scenario | Use Bins? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large warehouse with multiple storage areas | Yes | Track exact locations |
| Multiple items in same warehouse | Yes | Faster picking |
| High-value items requiring security | Yes | Restricted access |
| FIFO/FEFO requirements | Yes | Pick from correct bins |
| Small warehouse, few items | Optional | May add unnecessary complexity |
| Single storage area | No | Location already known |
Bin Structure
BIN HIERARCHY
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
LOCATION (Warehouse)
│
├── BIN TYPE (Optional classification)
│ ├── Receiving
│ ├── Storage
│ ├── Picking
│ └── Shipping
│
└── BINS (Physical locations)
├── A-01-01 (Aisle A, Rack 01, Level 01)
├── A-01-02 (Aisle A, Rack 01, Level 02)
├── B-02-01 (Aisle B, Rack 02, Level 01)
└── ...
Bin Naming Convention Examples:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Format │ Example │ Meaning │
├─────────────────────┼────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Zone-Aisle-Rack-Lvl │ A-01-02-03 │ Zone A, Aisle 1, Rack 2, Level 3 │
│ Area-Row-Bay │ RCV-A-01 │ Receiving area, Row A, Bay 1 │
│ Building-Floor-Loc │ WH1-2-A15 │ Warehouse 1, Floor 2, Location A15 │
│ Simple Sequential │ BIN-0001 │ Sequential numbering │
└─────────────────────┴────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┘
Setup Requirements
Enable Bin Management
Navigation: Setup → Company → Enable Features → Items & Inventory
FEATURE SETTINGS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Required Features:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ☑ Multi-Location Inventory │
│ ☑ Bin Management │
│ ☐ Bin Number Setup (Optional - for default bin assignment) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Location Setup (per location):
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ☑ Use Bins │
│ │
│ Bin Management Options: │
│ ○ Preferred Bin Only (items use preferred bins) │
│ ● All Bins (items can be in any bin) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Create Bins
Navigation: Lists → Accounting → Bins → New
BIN RECORD FIELDS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MAIN INFORMATION │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Bin Number: A-01-02-03 │
│ Location: Main Warehouse │
│ Memo: Aisle A, Rack 1, Level 2, Position 3 │
│ Inactive: ☐ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Optional Fields (if using Advanced Bin):
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Bin Type: Storage │
│ Zone: Zone A - Dry Storage │
│ Max Quantity: 100 │
│ Preferred Stock: 50 │
│ Restricted: ☐ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bin Transactions
Receiving with Bins
ITEM RECEIPT WITH BINS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Transaction Flow:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Purchase Order Item Receipt Bin Assignment │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐ │
│ │ PO-1234 │ → │ IR-5678 │ → │ Item: Widget A │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │ Qty: 100 │ │
│ │ 100 units│ │ Receive │ │ Bin: A-01-02 │ │
│ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Item Receipt Line with Bin:
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Item │ Quantity │ Location │ Bin │ Lot/Serial │
├─────────────┼──────────┼────────────────┼────────────┼──────────────────────┤
│ Widget A │ 50 │ Main Warehouse │ A-01-02 │ │
│ Widget A │ 50 │ Main Warehouse │ A-01-03 │ (split to 2 bins) │
└─────────────┴──────────┴────────────────┴────────────┴──────────────────────┘
Picking/Fulfillment with Bins
ITEM FULFILLMENT WITH BINS
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Fulfillment Process:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Sales Order Pick from Bins Item Fulfillment │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ SO-1234 │ → │ Bin A-01-02 │ → │ IF-5678 │ │
│ │ │ │ Pick: 30 │ │ Shipped │ │
│ │ 30 units │ │ │ │ │ │
│ └──────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Pick Strategy Options:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Strategy │ Description │
├───────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Preferred Bin │ Pick from item's preferred bin first │
│ FIFO │ Pick from oldest received bins first │
│ FEFO │ Pick from bins with earliest expiry (lot items) │
│ Quantity │ Pick from bins with most quantity │
│ Location Priority │ Pick from bins closest to shipping area │
└───────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bin Transfer
Move inventory between bins within the same location.
BIN TRANSFER
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Use Case: Moving items from receiving bin to storage bin
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Source Bin Destination Bin │
│ ┌───────────┐ ┌───────────┐ │
│ │ RCV-01 │ ────────→ │ STG-A-05 │ │
│ │ │ Bin Transfer │ │ │
│ │ 100 units │ │ +100 units│ │
│ └───────────┘ └───────────┘ │
│ │
│ No GL Impact (same location) │
│ Only bin quantities change │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bin Transfer Record:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Location: Main Warehouse │
│ Item: Widget A │
│ Quantity: 100 │
│ From Bin: RCV-01 │
│ To Bin: STG-A-05 │
│ Memo: Put-away from receiving │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Inventory Status by Bin
SuiteQL Query
-- Inventory by Bin
SELECT
l.name AS location,
b.binnumber AS bin,
i.itemid AS sku,
i.displayname AS item_name,
ib.quantityonhand AS qty_on_hand,
ib.quantityavailable AS qty_available,
ib.quantityonhand * il.averagecost AS bin_value
FROM
inventorybalance ib
JOIN
item i ON ib.item = i.id
JOIN
location l ON ib.location = l.id
JOIN
bin b ON ib.binnumber = b.id
LEFT JOIN
inventoryitemlocations il ON i.id = il.item AND l.id = il.location
WHERE
ib.quantityonhand > 0
ORDER BY
l.name, b.binnumber, i.itemid
Best Practices
BIN MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Naming Conventions:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ✓ Use consistent naming across all locations │
│ ✓ Include zone/area in bin name for easy identification │
│ ✓ Use sortable format (A-01-02 not A-1-2) │
│ ✓ Keep bin names short but descriptive │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bin Organization:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ✓ Group fast-moving items near shipping area │
│ ✓ Place heavy items at lower levels │
│ ✓ Create dedicated receiving and shipping bins │
│ ✓ Use restricted bins for high-value items │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Operations:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ✓ Always specify bin on transactions (don't leave blank) │
│ ✓ Perform regular bin counts for accuracy │
│ ✓ Use bin transfers for put-away workflow │
│ ✓ Set up preferred bins for frequently used items │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Next Steps
| Goal | Go To |
|---|---|
| Bin putaway and picking | Bin Operations → |
| Lot number tracking | Lot Tracking → |
| Serial number tracking | Serial Tracking → |