> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.arcuserp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Bin Setup and Management
> Create and organize warehouse bins for storing inventory by type and location.
Bins are physical storage locations in your warehouse. Each bin has a type (storage, staging, receiving, quarantine) and can hold specific products. Proper bin setup enables organized receiving, picking, and fulfillment.
## Why Use Bins
Bins provide:
* **Organization** - Store products in designated locations for fast retrieval
* **Safety** - Quarantine damaged or recalled items separately
* **Efficiency** - Picking instructions reference bin locations so staff find items quickly
* **Accuracy** - System tracks which bins contain which products and quantities
* **Compliance** - Meet regulatory requirements for segregating hazardous or food-safety items
## Create Bins
1. Go to **Settings > Inventory**.
2. Click **Bins** or **Bin Setup** (exact name depends on your entity settings).
3. Click **Create Bin**.
4. Enter the bin identifier (e.g., "A1", "Storage-North-Shelf-3", "Receiving-01").
5. Select the bin type from the dropdown:
* **Storage** - Primary inventory holding location
* **Staging** - Temporary location before picking or shipping
* **Receiving** - Temporary location for newly received items pending inspection
* **Quarantine** - Isolated location for damaged or recalled inventory
6. Enter the bin capacity (maximum units this bin can hold) if you want to enforce limits.
7. Click **Create Bin**.
The bin is now available in your warehouse and can receive inventory.
## Assign Products to Bins
When you receive inventory or perform putaway, you assign specific products to bins:
1. Go to **Warehouse** or **Receiving**.
2. During receipt or transfer, select the destination bin for each line item.
3. The system prevents putting items in a bin that cannot hold that product type (if product bin restrictions are set).
4. Confirm the bin assignment.
Over time, the warehouse operator builds a mental map: "Widgets always go to A1", "Returns are quarantined in QA-1".
**Use consistent naming**
Establish a naming convention: "Area-Aisle-Level-Position" or "LocationType-Number". This makes voice picking and visual scanning faster.
## Bin Types Explained
**Storage Bins:**
* Your primary inventory holding locations
* Products stay here until picked for fulfillment
* Multiple products can share a bin (if mixed SKU storage is allowed)
* Staff access these bins most frequently
**Staging Bins:**
* Temporary holding between receiving and picking
* Or between picking and packing for shipment
* Items move in and out quickly
* Useful for time-stamping order readiness
**Receiving Bins:**
* Dedicated to newly received items before inspection
* Allows quarantining inbound goods until verified
* Clears after inspection; items move to storage or quarantine
**Quarantine Bins:**
* Isolated from general stock
* Used for damaged items, recalls, or customer returns
* Prevents accidental picking of defective products
* Requires supervisor approval to release
## Bin Transfers
To move items between bins without a formal transfer document:
1. Go to **Warehouse > Bin Transfers** (or similar).
2. Scan or select the source bin.
3. Scan or select the destination bin.
4. Confirm the product and quantity.
5. Click **Transfer**.
The system updates the bin contents and can optionally post a GL entry (depending on your entity settings for bin type changes, e.g., moving from receiving to storage may trigger a putaway JE).
## Capacity Management
If you set a bin capacity limit:
* The system warns when you try to put more items than the bin can hold
* Example: "Bin A1 has 500-unit capacity; attempting to add 100 units (current: 450). Remaining capacity: 50 units."
* You can override the warning if items are stacked or if temporary overflow is acceptable
* Use capacity warnings to signal that it is time to pick items from that bin
## Troubleshooting
**"Cannot assign to this bin"** - Check the bin type. Some entities restrict certain product types to certain bin types (e.g., hazardous materials only to Quarantine). Ask your supervisor.
**"Bin does not exist"** - The bin may have been deleted or you may have mistyped the bin ID. Check the bin list in Settings > Inventory > Bins.
**"Capacity limit reached"** - This bin is full. Move some items to another bin or pick items out to fulfill orders and free up space.
**"Product already in a different bin"** - A product can exist in multiple bins simultaneously, but the system tracks each. If this is unexpected, verify the received quantity and check if items went to the right location during receiving or picking.
## Best Practices
**Organize by product family**
* Store fast-moving items in easily accessible bins
* Group related products together for faster picking
* Keep heavy or bulky items at waist height, light items on upper shelves
**Label bins clearly**
* Use waterproof labels visible from multiple angles
* Include the bin ID, product type (if single-product), and capacity
* Replace faded labels during monthly maintenance
**Count bins regularly**
* During cycle counts, verify bin contents match system records
* Discrepancies signal picking errors or unrecorded transfers
* Investigate and correct quickly to maintain trust in inventory
**Document bin changes**
* If you merge, split, or repurpose bins, update Settings > Inventory > Bins
* Document the change in the activity timeline with the date and reason
* This helps with audits and helps other staff understand bin layout
## Related Articles
How to receive items from vendors into bins.
How to move received items to their final storage bins.
How to verify inventory accuracy by counting bins.