Placement Rules

SmartWMS uses placement rules to automatically determine where to store incoming inventory. This optimizes space utilization and picking efficiency.

How Placement Rules Work

When receiving inventory, SmartWMS evaluates placement rules to suggest optimal locations:

Incoming Product → Evaluate Rules → Suggest Location → Confirm Putaway

Rule Types

1. Product-Based Rules

Specific product always goes to specific location
Product category goes to designated zone

2. Attribute-Based Rules

Temperature-sensitive → Cold storage zone
Hazmat items → Hazmat-approved locations
Heavy items → Floor-level bins

3. Velocity-Based Rules

Fast movers (A) → Pick zone
Slow movers (C) → Bulk storage

4. Space-Based Rules

Find location with sufficient capacity
Consolidate same SKU in one location

Creating Placement Rules

Go to Configuration → Automation
Click + New Rule
Select trigger: Putaway
Configure conditions and actions

Example Rule: Hazmat to Hazmat Zone

IF product.isHazmat = true
THEN place in zone "HAZMAT"

Example Rule: Heavy Items to Floor

IF product.weight > 25kg
THEN place in location.type = "Floor"

Rule Priority

Rules are evaluated in priority order:

Product-specific rules (highest)
Category rules
Attribute rules
Default zone rules (lowest)

To change priority:

Open rule
Adjust priority number
Lower number = higher priority

Default Location Settings

Configure defaults in Configuration → Settings:

Setting	Description

Default Receive Zone	Where goods arrive
Default Storage Zone	Primary storage area
Default Pick Zone	Fast-moving items
Allow Mixed SKU	Multiple products in one bin
Max Location Quantity	Default capacity

Putaway Strategies

FIFO (First In, First Out)

Place new stock behind old stock
Ensures proper rotation
Best for perishables

Consolidation

Place with existing same-SKU inventory
Reduces location fragmentation
Improves pick efficiency

Empty Location First

Prefer empty locations
Avoids mixing products
Cleaner inventory tracking

Directed vs. Suggested Putaway

Suggested Putaway (Default)

System recommends location
Operator can override
Flexible but less controlled

Directed Putaway

System assigns location
Operator must follow
More controlled, consistent

Configure in Configuration → Settings → Operations.

Testing Rules

Before going live:

Create test receiving order
Run through putaway process
Verify suggested locations
Adjust rules as needed