Creating Locations

How to create inventory locations for your warehouse in Flexe.

IN THIS TOPIC

• Creating New Locations
  • CSV File Inputs
• About Location Categories
• Fixing CSV File Errors When Creating Locations

Locations are designated areas in the warehouse where product is stored until it is ready to be shipped, or held temporarily as it passes through inbound and outbound processes. 

You can create most locations in Flexe by uploading them to the system in a CSV file from the Locations page.    

Before you start

When creating locations in Flexe, you'll need to specify the Location Category. This is what the system uses to categorize locations, based on what they're used for. 

For a detailed breakdown of the different types of location categories and what you can use them for, go to About Location Categories.

Creating New Locations

To create locations in Flexe:

1. Select Locations from the left menu to open the Locations page.

2. Select Upload CSV.

You'll upload information about the locations in a CSV file. Select the Upload CSV option to open the upload window. 

3. Download the CSV template.

To make sure you're including all required information in the correct format, select the CSV template link at the top of the window to download a template CSV file through your web browser:  

Once downloaded, select the file (LocationBulkCreatePickableLocation.csv) to open it. You'll use the template as a guide to help you enter all required location information.

4. Edit the spreadsheet. 

Leave the first row in place--this row includes the column headers and is how the system will read your data. Delete the contents of the following rows (rows 2-9), then add information for all the locations you want to create. 

CSV File Inputs

Here's a quick overview of each column in the spreadsheet: 

Name  (Required)	Name of the location; this is what shows on the Locations page in Flexe, in the list of locations for the warehouse.  The Flexe system's pick engine functionality is alphanumeric. To support this, it's best to use abbreviations to describe the type of location category in the title (e.g. "IB," "QA," "Pack"), followed by numeric sequencing.  Examples: IB1, IB2, QA1, QA2, OB1, OB2, Pack1, Pack2, etc. Note: Do not add dashes (-) to the location name unless the location barcode also uses dashes.
Category (Required)	Use this column to specify the location category.  To learn more, go to About Location Categories.  Note: If your warehouse uses the LPN system in Flexe, all locations should be set up as either Rack or Floor Storage to support the picking algorithm. Don't use a combination of both Rack and Floor storage.
Barcode (Required)	Enter the barcode number associated with the location. This is the barcode that Flexe mobile device uses scan during putaway and picking. What you enter here must match the physical barcode at the location exactly.  Note: If a location has previously been disabled/marked as inactive, the barcode can be reused to create a new location. However, the new location must have a different name than the inactive location--otherwise the old location will be reactivated.
Dimensions	Use the Length, Length Unit, Width, Width Unit, Height and Height Unit columns to specify the dimensions for the location.  This is field is only required for reservations that use the LPN system.
Sequence ID	This column only shows if enabled for your reservation. Sequence IDs are numerical indicators that factor into pick path optimization. When a pick path is calculated, the system uses this field to determine the order in which to send the picker. Note: If you feel your warehouse would benefit from sequence IDs in picking, reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst or contact us [e-mail].
Pallet Capacity	This column is used for slotting, which is only applicable to reservations that use the LPN system. Use this field to specify the number of pallets a location can hold.
Primary Pick Location	This column only applies if primary pick is enabled for your warehouse. This is useful for warehouses with racked or storage locations meant to serve as “primary” and as “reserve," and can be used in tandem with sequence ID in pick path optimization. The column is a True/False field that indicates whether a storage location should be used for primary pick. If you enter "True,” the location will be prioritized over other locations with the same SKU during picking. Note: If you feel your warehouse would benefit from primary pick and sequence IDs in picking, reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst or contact [e-mail].
Putaway Zone	This column only applies if putaway zones are enabled for your reservation. Zones are groups of locations used to consolidate product storage, so as to streamline putaway and picking workflows.   Use this column to assign locations in into your preferred zones. You can also choose a name for each zone. Note: At this time, putaway zones are only available if enabled for your warehouse. Reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst if you need more information.

If you need additional guidance about what to include in the file, select See more about what inputs your file needs from the upload window: 

Once you've finished adding all required information, make sure to save the spreadsheet as a .csv file: 

4. Upload the CSV file and submit. 

Return to the upload window in Flexe, and select your finalized CSV file from where it's saved. You can either drag and drop it into the Upload Your File section, or select Choose File to browse for it on your computer: 

After you choose the file, it will show next to File selected in the window. You can then select Submit to close the upload window and complete the import process.  

If you get an error notification after submitting the CSV file, go to Fixing CSV File Errors When Creating Locations for additional information. 

Note: You can upload a maximum of 5000 locations at once. If you need to upload more than that, you'll need to use multiple CSV files. 

Once the upload is complete, all of the locations in the CSV file will automatically be added to the system and available for use. Unless otherwise specified, all location configurations and information you entered will apply to all of your active reservations equally. 

You can review all the locations at your warehouse from the Locations page in Flexe: 

About Location Categories

Here's a breakdown of the different types of system locations in Flexe and how they can be created:

Location Category	Description	CSV Input
Floor Storage	Location on the warehouse floor where goods are stored. Items stored here are available to ship and can be allocated to outbound orders.	Enter floor_storage in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Rack Storage	Location where racks are used to store goods. Items stored here are available to ship and can be allocated to outbound orders.	Enter rack_storage in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Bin Storage	Location where bins are used to store goods. Items stored here are available to ship and can be allocated to outbound orders.	Enter bin_storage in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
QA (Quality Audit)	Locations for items with product integrity issues that are designated ineligible for outbounds (e.g. items that are damaged or that need refurbishment).  Warehouses must set up permanent QA locations to manage damaged/unsellable or "found inventory" while it is being researched. Items here are unavailable to ship, and cannot be allocated to outbound orders.  Note: Any Floor/Bin/Rack storage location can be temporarily converted to a QA location when necessary, then converted back when QA items have been moved out.	Enter quality_audit in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Damaged Hold	Locations for damaged items that were returned and are being staged for pickup by the goods owner.  Items stored here are unavailable to ship, and cannot be allocated to outbound orders.	Enter outbound_returns_staging in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Inbound Staging	Locations used to stage inventory before it's moved to storage locations (floor, rack, bin). During the receiving process, inventory from inbound deliveries is systemically placed in these locations. After receiving is complete, mobile device users can move the inventory to storage locations. Items stored here are unavailable to ship, and cannot be allocated to outbound orders.  Note: Items are not visible to the goods owner until they're moved to storage locations. This is why it's important to adhere to contractually agreed upon SLAs for putaway into storage locations, where inventory can be viewed and allocated.	Enter inbound_staging in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Transitional	Temporary locations that inventory passes through during the inbounding and outbounding processes.  This includes movement of items on Flexe mobile devices. When mobile device users scan an item (SKU/ LPN) to move it, that item is in a transitional location while the move is still in progress.  Items in transitional locations are unavailable to ship, and cannot be allocated to outbound orders.	Transitional locations are preset in the system, or upon the creation of new mobile users, they cannot be created or edited by CSV.
Outbound Staging	Locations where items picked for Retail fulfillment orders are dropped off for shipment. Once moved here, items in the order are ready to be shipped, and for the Retail fulfillment order to be completed in Flexe.	Enter outbound_staging in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Pack Station	Locations where picked items for eCommerce orders are dropped off for shipment. Once moved here, items in the order are ready to be shipped; the shipment process to be completed on a Flexe mobile device.	Enter pack_station in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Dock	Locations used for the trailer loading process. Pallets/shipments remain in this location until the trailer is closed and submitted in Flexe.	Enter dock in your CSV file when creating this type of location.
Material Handling Equipment (MHE)	Used for certain workflows to move, store and/or sort outbound inventory during the fulfillment process. MHE can be movable shelving, a cart or a pallet. MHE needs to be configured into the Flexe system, so that each has a corresponding location and barcode that can be scanned by pickers.	Reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst for help with creating MHE locations.
Lost	During cycle counts if an LPN is not found at its expected location, it will automatically move in the system to the Lost location until found or reconciled.	The Lost location is preset in the system. It cannot be created or edited manually or by CSV.

Note: If you need help or more information about whether a location category applies to you, reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst. 

Fixing CSV File Errors When Creating Locations

If there are any problems with your locations CSV file after you submit, the system automatically generates an error notification onscreen:  

The notification shows each error and details on how to fix it. To complete the CSV import process, you'll need to correct all of these errors directly within your spreadsheet file. 

Keep in mind that you can find additional guidance on how to edit your file from upload window--just select the option to See more about what inputs your file needs: 

The window will expand to show you a detailed breakdown of each column in the spreadsheet, including the column header (name), a description of how to use the column, examples of what to input and any important guidelines to follow.   

Once you've reviewed and corrected all errors, upload and submit the file again from the upload window: 

Note: If you need more help fixing file errors, reach out to your Flexe Logistics Analyst or contact us at [e-mail].  

Terminology

Storage Locations: Locations where product is stored until it is ready to be shipped. This includes Floor, Rack and Bin storage. To learn more, go to About Location Categories. 

Transitional Locations: Temporary locations that inventory passes through during the inbounding and outbounding processes. This includes movement on Flexe mobile devices. To learn more, go to About Location Categories. 

Mobile User: Warehouse staff who perform tasks on a Flexe mobile device.

Move Goods: Feature on Flexe mobile devices that allows you to systematically move any number of items from one location to a different location within the warehouse.

Pick Goods: Feature on Flexe mobile devices used to locate and pick products to fulfill customer orders. This involves finding and scanning items from storage locations at the warehouse and moving them to specified outbound location (e.g. outbound staging for Retail fulfillment orders or pack stations for eCommerce orders).

Putaway:  This process is completed via the Move Goods feature on Flexe mobile devices, and is used to move items from an inbound staging location to a storage location. 

Receiving List: The list of items expected on an inbound shipment, generated within the Flexe system. 

eCommerce Orders: Refers to outbound shipments to fulfill eCommerce orders from the shipper. These types of orders are typically shipped via parcel carriers (e.g. FedEx, UPS, USPS)

Retail Fulfillment Orders: Refers to outbound shipments for Retail orders from the shipper. These types of orders are typically palletized and shipped as freight with LTL carriers. 

SKU: Abbreviation for Stock Keeping Unit. This is a unique identifier for an item down to size, color, and style (if applicable).

LPN: Refers the "License Plate Numbers" used in Flexe to track several inventory properties at once via system-generated barcodes. These inventory properties include inbound shipment ID, expiration dates, SKUs and carton quantities. System features and workflows may vary depending on whether your warehouse uses the LPN system. 

Lot Code: A unique shipper-provided identifier for a specific production group of goods. 

Putaway Zones: These are groups of locations used to consolidate product storage, so as to streamline putaway and picking workflows. Warehouses can configure zones based on certain inventory attributes specified by the shipper, including the frequency or "velocity" a product typically flows through. At this time, this feature is only available if enabled for your reservation.