Warehouse Setup Options Overview

GoldFinch supports warehouse configurations ranging from a simple inventory location to a full Warehouse Management System (WMS) with detailed bin control and mobile scanning.

The right model depends on the warehouse's size and complexity, transaction volume, inventory controls, manufacturing processes, and fulfillment requirements.

Warehouse Setup Options

Basic Warehouse with One Pick Bin

A basic warehouse uses one primary bin for available inventory and simplifies receiving, picking, and shipping.

This model may be appropriate when:

• The warehouse is small or operationally simple
• Detailed storage locations are unnecessary
• Employees are familiar with product locations
• Transaction volumes are manageable
• Formal put-away and picking activities are not required

This option provides inventory control without introducing unnecessary warehouse complexity.

Warehouse with Pick and Production Input Bins

Manufacturers may add an input bin for materials staged for production.

This model provides greater visibility into inventory moved from warehouse storage to the production area. It may be appropriate when:

• Components are staged before production
• Shop-floor inventory must be separated from pickable inventory
• Materials are regularly replenished to production
• Actual material consumption may differ from planned quantities
• Production-area inventory requires regular counting

Warehouse with Dedicated Activity Bins

Organizations with structured receiving and fulfillment processes can use separate bins for different warehouse activities.

Examples include:

• Receiving
• Put-away
• Storage
• Picking
• Quality control
• Returns
• Cross-docking
• Production input and output
• Shipment staging

This model supports formal warehouse receipts, put-aways, movements, pick tickets, and shipments. It provides stronger control over inventory location and which products are available for use.

Full WMS with Mobile Scanning

A full WMS configuration is designed for larger or more complex operations with many storage and picking bins.

Depending on the organization’s requirements, it can support:

• Detailed bin-level inventory
• Mobile barcode scanning
• Directed receiving and put-away
• Pick tickets and warehouse shipments
• Wave, batch, and zone picking
• Pallet management
• Lot and serial tracking
• Cycle counting
• Internal warehouse movements
• Shipping labels and documents

Mobile scanning helps employees record transactions at the point of work and is especially valuable in warehouses with many items, bins, or daily transactions.

Third-Party Logistics Warehouse

GoldFinch can also represent inventory stored and fulfilled by a third-party logistics provider, or 3PL.

This model may be appropriate when:

• Inventory is stored at an outside facility
• The 3PL receives and fulfills orders
• Shipment information is exchanged electronically
• The provider prepares shipping documents
• The organization needs visibility into inventory held by the 3PL

The configuration depends on which warehouse activities GoldFinch performs and which the logistics provider manages.

Comparing the Options

Choosing the Appropriate Model

Organizations should consider:

• Number of warehouses and bins
• Daily receipt and shipment volume
• Number of warehouse employees
• Lot or serial tracking requirements
• Pallet-management requirements
• Manufacturing staging needs
• Quality-control procedures
• Cycle-counting requirements
• Mobile scanning needs
• EDI and 3PL integrations
• Need for formal receipts, put-aways, picks, and shipments

A more detailed warehouse model provides greater operational control but also requires additional setup, employee training, and transaction discipline.

GoldFinch can be implemented in phases, allowing organizations to start with a simpler structure and add bins, warehouse activities, scanning, and integrations as requirements grow.

Available options depend on the customer’s licensed GoldFinch modules, configuration, integrations, and operational requirements.