Location Naming Scheme
Warehouse location naming conventions.
Standard naming format: Zone-Aisle-Rack-Shelf-Bin
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Zones | Warehouse areas by characteristics (package size, turnover rate, operations) |
| Aisles | Walkways between storage rows |
| Racks | Individual shelving units within each row (also called bays) |
| Shelves | Horizontal levels within each rack |
| Bin | Specific storage space on a shelf |
Example: 1-A-03-B-03 = Zone 1, Aisle A, Rack 03, Shelf B, Bin 03
Labeling Methods
Serpentine vs Standard: Serpentine labeling allows pickers to follow a continuous path through aisles without backtracking.
Aisle width determines traffic flow:
- Wide aisles (two-lane): Rack line defines aisle name (BLUE path below)
- Narrow aisles (one-lane): Walking path defines aisle name. Odd racks on one side, even on the other creates zig-zag pattern (RED path below)
Guidelines
-
Number shelves bottom to top (avoids relabeling if shelf heights change)
-
Use leading zeros (01, 02, 03) for proper alphanumeric sorting
-
Maintain format consistency:
- Good:
A-01-01andA-01-02 - Good:
A-1-1andA-1-2 - Avoid:
A-1-1andA-1-02(mixed formats) - Avoid:
Customer-01(merchant/product-specific names)
- Good: