Configure Receiving, Shipping, Cross-Dock, and QC Bins

This warehouse model uses dedicated activity bins to control inventory as it moves through receiving, put-away, quality control, production, picking, and shipping.

It builds on the simpler warehouse configurations described in:

• Configure a Basic Warehouse with One Pick Bin
• Configure Production Pick and Input Bins

After completing this setup, GoldFinch can use formal warehouse activities such as Warehouse Receipts, Put-aways, Pick Tickets, Movements, and Warehouse Shipments.

When to Use This Model

This configuration may be appropriate when an organization needs:

• Separate receiving and shipping areas
• Formal put-away and picking processes
• Cross-docking
• Quality-control or quarantine locations
• Dedicated production input and output areas
• Greater control over inventory availability
• Clear visibility into each stage of warehouse processing
• Mobile barcode scanning
• Lot, serial, or pallet traceability

A dedicated-bin model provides more control than a basic warehouse, but it also requires employees to record inventory movements consistently.

Recommended Activity Bins

Create the following bins as required by the organization’s processes:

These names are recommendations. Organizations may use different names if the naming convention remains clear and consistent.

Understand the Bin Types

Pick/Put-away

A Pick/Put-away bin can participate in both inbound put-away and outbound picking processes.

In this configuration, the Cross Dock bin uses this bin type because inventory may enter through receiving and then move directly into fulfillment without first being placed into long-term storage.

Ship

A Ship bin holds inventory picked and staged for shipment.

Inventory in this bin is generally associated with an outbound warehouse process and should not be treated as ordinary available stock.

Receive

A Receive bin is the initial location for goods recorded through a Warehouse Receipt.

Products remain in the Receive bin until they are put away, cross-docked, inspected, returned, or otherwise processed.

QC

A QC-type bin separates inventory from normal picking while still allowing controlled warehouse movements.

In this model, QC-type bins can be used for:

• Customer returns
• Production input
• Production output
• Quality inspection
• Quarantine
• Damaged or restricted products

Clearly document the business purpose of each QC-type bin so employees understand when to use it.

Create the Bins

For each required bin:

1. Create the bin under the applicable warehouse.
2. Enter a clear bin name.
3. Select the appropriate Bin Type.
4. Confirm that the bin is active.
5. Add a barcode or scanning identifier when applicable.
6. Confirm that the bin corresponds to a clearly labeled physical location.

Use a consistent naming convention, particularly when the organization has multiple warehouses.

For example, bin names or scanning identifiers may include a warehouse or functional prefix to prevent employees from selecting the wrong location.

Assign the Warehouse Bins

After creating the bins, open the applicable Warehouse record and assign each bin to its corresponding warehouse setup field.

Review assignments for:

• Pick bin
• Put-away or storage bin, when applicable
• Receive bin
• Ship bin
• Cross Dock bin
• Return bin
• Production Input bin
• Production Output bin
• Other default or activity bins required by the configuration

The available fields may depend on the installed GoldFinch version, licensed modules, and customer configuration.

Confirm that every assigned bin belongs to the same warehouse as the Warehouse record.

Configure Inbound Processing

Determine how received inventory should move through the warehouse.

A typical inbound workflow may be:

1. Create or receive an inbound source document.
2. Create a Warehouse Receipt.
3. Record inventory in the Receive bin.
4. Verify quantities, units of measure, lots, serial numbers, or pallets.
5. Move inventory to the appropriate destination through a Put-away.
6. Complete the Put-away to update the final storage or Pick bin.

Inventory requiring review may be directed to a QC-type bin instead of becoming immediately available.

Configure Cross-Docking

Cross-docking allows incoming inventory to be directed toward outbound demand without first being placed into long-term storage.

A typical cross-dock workflow may include:

1. Receive the applicable inventory.
2. Identify related outbound demand.
3. Direct the inventory to the cross-dock bin.
4. Confirm the item, quantity, lot, serial number, or pallet.
5. Pick or move the inventory for the related outbound shipment.

Introduce cross-docking only after you have tested receiving and shipping independently.

Configure Outbound Processing

Determine how inventory should move from storage to shipment.

A typical outbound workflow may be:

1. Create a Warehouse Shipment from an eligible source document.
2. Create or release a Pick Ticket.
3. Pick inventory from the assigned Pick or storage bin.
4. Move the picked inventory to the Ship bin.
5. Verify the item, quantity, lot, serial number, or pallet.
6. Print the required labels and shipping documents.
7. Complete the Warehouse Shipment.

Confirm whether partial shipments, combined shipments, wave picking, batch picking, or zone picking will be used.

Configure Return Processing

The Return bin can separate returned products from inventory available for picking.

After returned inventory is placed in the Return bin, authorized employees can evaluate whether it should be:

• Returned to available inventory
• Sent for quality inspection
• Reworked
• Returned to a vendor
• Written off or adjusted
• Moved to another restricted location

The physical product and related GoldFinch transaction should remain aligned throughout the return process.

Configure Production Input and Output

The Input and Output bins provide controlled staging locations for manufacturing.

• The Input bin holds components moved to the production area.
• The Output bin holds completed production before it is reviewed or put away.

Using QC-type bins for these purposes prevents staged inventory from being treated as generally available for ordinary picking.

Test production transactions, replenishment, consumption, output, and warehouse movements together before go-live.

Test the Complete Workflow

Test each applicable warehouse process before using the configuration in Production.

Inbound testing

• Full and partial receipts
• Over-receipts
• Put-aways
• Lot- and serial-controlled receipts
• Receiving pallets
• Quality-control routing
• Cross-docking

Internal testing

• Bin-to-bin movements
• Production input replenishment
• Production output
• Return-bin processing
• Unit-of-measure conversions
• Cycle counting

Outbound testing

• Warehouse shipments
• Pick tickets
• Partial picks
• Movement to the Ship bin
• Shipment pallets
• Lot and serial selection
• Packing slips and labels
• Shipment completion

After each test, review Bin Contents, Warehouse Entries, source documents, and resulting inventory quantities.

Operational Controls

For reliable warehouse processing:

• Label every physical bin clearly
• Use consistent bin names and barcodes
• Record every physical inventory movement in GoldFinch
• Restrict QC-type bins to their intended purposes
• Investigate inventory discrepancies promptly
• Train employees on each bin’s purpose
• Establish procedures for damaged, returned, or restricted inventory
• Monitor open receipts, put-aways, picks, and shipments
• Perform regular cycle counts
• Confirm that mobile scanning follows the configured workflow

Important Considerations

Changing bin assignments after transactions have begun can affect active warehouse processes. Review proposed changes with a GoldFinch Implementer and test them before updating an active Production warehouse.

Available bins, fields, and processes depend on the customer’s licensed GoldFinch modules, configuration, and operational requirements.