This post is part of the In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (Inventory and Warehouse Management), how do I… series and of the wider In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, how do I… series which I am posting as I familiarise myself with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Business Central includes an Inventory Control module which you can use to manage and track items; there is also a Warehouse Management module which provides some more enhanced functionality for item management in warehouses. You’ll have noticed that for the purposes of this series, I am handing them as if they are the same as they are so very closely related and are both covered by the same level licence.
But where does the line between the two fall?
Inventory control in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is focused on managing inventory levels, tracking stock movements, and optimizing inventory turnover. This includes activities such as tracking stock levels, monitoring sales orders and purchase orders, and managing replenishment processes. Inventory control helps to ensure that the right products are available at the right time, minimizing stockouts, reducing inventory holding costs, and increasing customer satisfaction.
Warehouse management, on the other hand, is focused on optimizing the physical flow of goods within the warehouse. This includes activities such as receiving and putaway, picking and packing, and shipping and delivery. Warehouse management ensures that goods are stored in the right location, picked and shipped accurately, and that the warehouse is organized and efficient. By optimizing warehouse processes, businesses can reduce labor costs, increase productivity, and improve accuracy.
The table, below, gives a summary breakdown of the features of Inventory and Warehousing in Business Central:
| Inventory | Warehousing |
|---|---|
| Inventory management | Bins |
| Item categories | Inventory pick and inventory put-aways |
| Item attributes | Warehouse receipt |
| Item tracking | Warehouse shipment |
| Multiple locations | Internal pick ups and put-aways |
| Stock-keeping units | Directed pick up and put-away |
| Item variants | |
| Location transfers | |
| Shipping agents | |
| Calendars | |
| Item charges | |
| Item references | |
| Item substitutions | |
| Item budgets | |
| Analysis reports | |
| Cycle counting |
In Business Central you can enable different levels of inventory and warehousing depending on requirements. I’m going to take a look at these different levels over future posts in this series.
In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, how do I…
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