🏗️ Understanding Location Format

What is a Location Format?

A Location Format is a predefined structure that defines how location data is organised within Canary7. It ensures consistency by providing a systematic way to arrange and identify locations throughout your warehouse.

Using a standardised format helps users quickly understand the physical position of inventory and simplifies navigation, picking, and inventory management.

Example of a Location Format

A typical format might look like this:
A-01-01-A
Where:

• A = Aisle

• 01 = Rack or Bay Number

• 01 = Row or Level Number

• A = Position on the shelf or rack

By following such a structured code, warehouse staff can easily locate items and follow efficient pick paths.

Why Location Formats Matter

• 🚶 Pick Walk Sequencing:
  Location formats enable Canary7 to arrange pick paths logically, minimising travel distance and boosting efficiency.

• 🔍 Easy Navigation:
  Staff can interpret location codes intuitively to find items quickly.

• 🧩 Consistency Across Warehouse:
  Uniform location coding avoids confusion and errors in stock movement.

• 📊 Reporting & Analysis:
  Structured formats make it easier to analyse inventory distribution and identify optimisation opportunities.

Creating and Managing Location Formats in Canary7

Accessing Location Formats

• Use the Navigation menu, type "Location Format" in the search bar, and select it.

• Or navigate to:
  Configuration > Functional Area Setup > Inventory Control Setup > Location Format

Adding a Location Format

• Click Add to create a new format.

• Fill in the required fields:

  • Name: A clear identifier for the format (e.g., “Aisle-Rack-Row-Position”).

  • Length: Specify the number of characters or digits expected for each part of the format.

  • Type: Select whether the segment is Alpha (letters) or Numeric (numbers).

  • Description: Optional field to clarify the purpose or details of the format.

• Build the format according to your warehouse’s label conventions.
  Example: For a location label like A-01-01-01 (Area-Rack-Row-Position), define each segment with its appropriate length and type.

• Use a separator (typically a hyphen -) between segments to improve readability.

• Make sure the Active checkbox is selected so the format is available in the system.

• Click Submit to save your new location format.

Tips for Effective Location Format Design

• Keep It Simple and Intuitive:
  Use codes that warehouse staff can easily understand without excessive training.

• Match Physical Labels:
  Your location format should align closely with physical location labels to reduce scanning errors.

• Plan for Expansion:
  Design formats flexible enough to accommodate warehouse growth or layout changes.

• Use Consistent Separators:
  Separators like hyphens or underscores improve legibility and reduce input errors.

• Document Your Formats:
  Maintain clear documentation and training materials explaining each format for new and existing staff.