CDK bin and shelf locations

[B964]

So far only had the most basic training from a guy that didn't seem to know the system very well.

I want to have my bins be 100 101 102 etc and shelf location of A1 A2 B1 B2 etc

So a part in bin 105 on shelf C and shelf location 4 would be 105-C4

CDK guy says that system will only recognize that location as a bin in itself. If ran a inventory sheet with page break at bin change each location would be on it's own sheet.

Doesn't Rey Rey and others give option of first three (or whatever you want) are bin and rest is shelf?

[ehiatt]

I'm not sure why they would say that. Maybe the - in the bin location?

Our bin locations have the format of A123C0 for shelves and A123F2 (as in section A, bin 123, drawer F and drawer section 2) for drawers. The 0 at the end of the shelf location is just a placeholder to keep the bin locations consistent at 6 digits. When we print our count sheets we break on position 4. That way each bin has a count sheet with the shelves first then the drawers.

[marko65]

My small shelving units have a bin location that reads: 012A, 012B, 012C. 12A(BIN) A (FIRST SHELF) B (SECOND SHELF)
For drawers I use 012F1, 012F2, 012F3 . 012(BIN) F (6TH SHELF) 1 (1ST DRAWER ON THAT SHELF) I USUALLY HAVE 6 DRAWERS FOR EVERY SHELF.

Upstairs in the bulky bins I use 201, 202,203,204,205,

[MSInventory]

Keep it simple.
The more you build into a location, the more room for error due to a mis punched key stroke. I think the easiest way to set up a bin is by #. All sequential bins being the same character length such as 101,102,103,104,105 or if you need, start at 1001 1002 1003 1004 and if you want shelf locations add the A, B, C. Watch out for spaces and dashes(-).

[B964]

^^ MS

Yes, wanting to keep it simple. My bins will like that. 105C4 etc will be how it is in system but bin will break at 3rd digit. Trying to avoid the mess I seen others have with bins like "floor" "counter" "upstairs" "jimmysdesk".

[Ichabod Farquar]

To answer your question, yes you can have your bin locations the way you want. AND no some reports will not print the way you want if you use bin locations such as you suggest.

However, there are ways to get what you want.

We have bin locations such as you suggest. For example 305A-C4. We also have bin locations (most of them) like 105C, etc.

When inventory time comes just set the system to break on the position you require. It is best to keep bin locations the same length but it is not absolutely necessary. IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE MAIN BIN NUMBER PORTION OF THE LOCATION THE SAME LENGTH. So if the bin is 100, then all the physical bin numbers must be 3 digits and make them the FIRST three digits of the bin location. This way you can "break" on the location and the reports will work.

For example, in RPG you can build a bin report and search for everything in bin 305 by inputting the bin number as 305] The bracket at the end will tell the system to search for any bin location BEGINNING with the number 305. If you search for bin [305] the bracket before and after the bin number will search for any bin with the number 305 anywhere in the location, etc.

I don't do parts anymore but I think the brackets may work in the RBB report as well - give it a try.

I hope this makes sense

[FixedManager]

Ichabod- is correct however I would not use any characters, including the -, as this will cause data issues in some of the computer operations.

Before you do this I would recommend against what you are trying to do for a practical reason. In order to maintain your bins in the manner you wish there will be many adjustments required due to the small bin locations. Maintenance will be required for Parts phased in and out, inventory depth changes, special purchases in bulk, model changes, recalls, etc. Do you think every Parts Associates will be likely to reset bin locations and add secondary locations every time it's necessary? If you do yours are the most organized and anal-retentive on the planet.

My rule of thumb with CDK is a bin is a bin. This is also the case with high density drawers in which each drawer is a bin. If you are maintaining your bin locations in the DMS you will rarely see an RBB report exceeding two pages and this is manageable. I don't believe in micro-management and unnecessarily adding to the burden of my Parts Associates. K.I.S.S. works for a reason.

[Ichabod Farquar]

Fixed Manager makes an excellent point. Our parts manager only uses those "extended" bin locations for very slow moving small parts, that are typically kept in those cardboard drawers. These drawers have 10 small sections and each section can hold several numbers. These bins, in this case, are useful and time saving. However, the bulk of our inventory locations only break down bin and shelf. This includes the metal drawers on any given bin's shelf.

K.I.S.S. principal is always a good idea. REGARDLESS of what General Motors wants and / or forces us to do.

[ehiatt]

I agree with this post 100%.
We have a large inventory which requires fairly long bin locations. In a normal sized parts dept. I would never have such long locations.
Just prior to inventory each year I go into IBL Bin List and try to weed out bogus locations. It shows you all bin locations and how many part #s are in it. Then you can do a batch change in PM to put the parts in the correct bin and delete the bad location.

Keep it simple.
The more you build into a location, the more room for error due to a mis punched key stroke. I think the easiest way to set up a bin is by #. All sequential bins being the same character length such as 101,102,103,104,105 or if you need, start at 1001 1002 1003 1004 and if you want shelf locations add the A, B, C. Watch out for spaces and dashes(-).

[MSInventory]

Doesn't Rey Rey and others give option of first three (or whatever you want) are bin and rest is shelf?

Dealer Track does this. I do not recommend using their "shelf" location at all. The bin location will hold more than 3 characters so if you have to use a shelf digit, just add it to the main bin location.