Choosing a bin naming convention
A good bin code tells anyone — human or scanner — exactly where a slot is. Get the convention right before you print labels, because renaming bins later means re-labelling shelves.
In Fast WMS a storage location code combines the store with the bin. Within a store, the goal is a short, consistent pattern that sorts logically in reports and prints cleanly as a Code128 barcode. A common, reliable structure runs from largest area to smallest slot.
A structure that works
Build the code from segments, widest to narrowest — for example zone, aisle, rack, level, then position: A-03-R2-L4-B1. Read left to right it walks a picker straight to the slot. Because it sorts naturally, occupancy and stock reports line up in walking order too.
Rules to follow
- Fix the number of segments. Every bin in a store should have the same shape, so codes align in reports and are predictable to read.
- Zero-pad numbers. Use
03, not3, so aisle 3 and aisle 30 sort correctly. - Keep it barcode-friendly. Stick to letters, digits and a single separator. Avoid spaces and characters that are hard to read on a small label.
- Encode special zones. Give staging, hold/quarantine and damage bins an obvious prefix so nobody puts good stock there by accident.
- Reflect temperature zones for cold storage — a segment that marks the chamber or temperature band makes FEFO and put-away decisions clearer.
Renaming a bin after labels are on the racks means reprinting and re-fixing physical labels — and any staff who memorised the old codes have to relearn. Agree the convention with your floor team first, label one zone, walk it, then roll out.
Frequently asked questions
As short as possible while staying unique and readable. Shorter codes scan faster, print cleaner on small labels and are easier to read aloud.
The Fast WMS storage-location code already combines store and bin. Within a store, use a consistent zone-aisle-rack-level pattern so codes sort logically.
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