Defining Equipment

In a warehouse, different types of equipment are used to run various tasks. Examples of various types of equipment used in a warehouse include sorter, tote, forklift, and pallet jack.

An individual equipment is identified through an equipment ID, and categorized into one of the Equipment Types used in that warehouse.

The equipment used in a warehouse may be stationary (for example, a sorter) or mobile (for example, Pallet Jack, Fork Lift, or Cart). In Sterling Selling and Fulfillment Foundation, the equipment is modeled in one of the following ways:

1. As a Set of Locations

The equipment that are stationary are typically modeled as locations. Also certain mobile equipment that do not need to be tracked in inventory like Fork Lifts or Pallet Jacks are modeled as Locations.

2. As a License Plate

Mobile equipment that are physically moved around (between different physical locations) and are required to be tracked at their current location, are modeled as license plates. Examples of such equipment include Carts and Totes.

Equipment modeled as license plates could be modeled as a case or pallet depending on their size. For example, carts would be modeled as Pallets, while totes would typically be modeled as cases.

Equipment modeled as license plates could have slots in them of different sizes for carrying products. This information of slots is used while batching tasks that require these equipment for their execution. For example, Cart manifest batch.