The Locations section in Starshipit WMS is where you build the physical layout of your warehouse. Locations represent bins, shelves, zones, benches and other areas where stock is stored, processed or moved.
Correctly setting up locations helps control stock accuracy, streamline picking routes and support key workflows such as receiving, replenishment and packing.
Starshipit WMS supports any type of warehouse layout, from simple shelf-and-bin setups to more complex multi-zone operations.
Location types
Location types help the WMS understand how each location is used. This allows the system to allocate, pick and move stock appropriately.
| Location type | Description |
|---|---|
| Pick Face | A forward-picking location used for fast, efficient picking. These locations usually contain smaller quantities of stock and are restocked from bulk storage when they run low. |
| Bulk Storage | Holds larger quantities of stock. Typically higher shelves, pallets, or reserve areas used to replenish pick faces. |
| Staging Dock | Used for inbound receiving. Stock received into staging can later be put away to final storage via a putaway job. |
| Packing Bench | Represents packing stations. Picked items are moved here before packing and shipping. |
| Equipment | Represents carts, totes, or similar containers used during picking. Items may move from a shelf location into an equipment location before being staged to a packing bench. |
| Quality Control | Inspection or verification areas. |
| Returns/Damaged | For returned or non-saleable items. |
| Quarantine | Items on hold or restricted. |
| Shipping Dock | Dispatch areas. |
Creating and managing locations
To add locations in Starshipit WMS:
- Go to the Locations section.
- Click Create location.
- Enter a name or code (e.g., A1-01, Bulk-01, Pack-02).
- Select the location type.
- (Optional) Add capacity information.
- Save the location.
You can create as many locations as needed. Most warehouses use a structured naming convention such as:
- Zone – Aisle – Bay – Shelf (e.g., A-03-02-04)
- Bulk or Pallet areas (e.g., BULK-01, PALLET-05)
- Packing stations (e.g., PACK-01, PACK-02)
Locations can be edited at any time to adjust attributes such as type or capacity. The WMS keeps full movement logs for all inventory stored in each location.
Importing locations via CSV
You can also import locations in bulk using a CSV file. The CSV import supports parent-child relationships, so child rows can reference parent rows in the same file. This is useful when setting up a new warehouse or adding a large number of bins at once.
Searchable location dropdown
The location dropdown throughout the application is a searchable select. You can type to filter locations by name rather than scrolling through a long list. This applies wherever you need to choose a location (receiving, putaway, stock movements, stocktake, etc.).
Location barcodes
Each location can have a barcode assigned. This allows warehouse staff to scan location barcodes during picking, putaway and stocktake operations for faster and more accurate confirmation.
To assign a barcode to a location, open the location record and enter or scan the barcode value.
Location sequence
Locations have a configurable sequence number that determines their order in pick lists and other location-ordered views. Setting sequence numbers allows you to control the route pickers follow through the warehouse, reducing travel time.
Location layout visualisation
A visualisation view is available that displays your warehouse location layout graphically. The visualisation is customisable — you can adjust how locations are displayed and arranged to match your physical warehouse layout.
This is useful for planning location structures, identifying spare capacity, and communicating the warehouse layout to new staff.
Parent locations and tote assignment
Locations support a parent-child hierarchy. The key use case is assigning totes to equipment. For example, a picking cart (equipment location) can have multiple totes assigned as child locations.
- Equipment totes are ordered by their sequence number.
- Tote sequence is preserved across pages and refreshes.
- CSV import of locations supports parent-child relationships.
This helps model multi-compartment picking carts where each tote represents a separate compartment or order container.
Location capacity and replenishment triggers
Pick faces can optionally store minimum and maximum capacity values.
- Minimum level – when stock falls below this threshold, the system can trigger a replenishment job.
- Maximum level – the ideal upper limit when topping up stock from bulk.
Replenishment jobs help ensure pick faces always have enough stock to fulfil orders efficiently without overstocking.
Restricting products to locations
Some products need to be stored only in specific areas—for example:
- Hazardous goods
- Temperature-controlled items
- High-value items
- Oversized stock
In Starshipit WMS, you can restrict which products can be stored in each location:
- Open a location.
- Select Allowed products.
- Add the SKUs that can be stored there.
Restricted locations prevent receiving, putaway or replenishment from placing stock where it does not belong.
Multi-warehouse and child account support
If your business uses multiple Starshipit child accounts, Starshipit WMS can support multiple warehouse environments. Each Starshipit account can map to its own WMS instance with its own locations and stock.
Alternatively, you can share a single WMS instance across multiple child accounts using the WMS Override option in the Starshipit integration settings. This is useful when multiple storefronts fulfil from the same physical warehouse.
Best-practice setup
- Define zones clearly.
Group bulk, pick face, packing and staging areas logically to reduce travel time and keep processes organised. - Use consistent naming conventions.
Clear naming makes picking lists understandable and helps onboard new staff quickly. - Keep pick faces small and replenished from bulk.
This improves picking speed while keeping safety stock in the bulk area. - Use staging for large inbound receipts.
Staging lets you receive deliveries quickly and handle putaway separately. - Set capacity values for high-volume SKUs.
This allows the system to generate replenishment jobs before a pick face runs empty. - Create dedicated packing benches.
This keeps stock movements clean (picked → equipment → packing bench → shipped).
FAQ
No. You can use only the location types relevant to your warehouse. For example, small operations may have just pick faces, bulk storage and a packing area.
Yes, but changing a location type with existing stock may affect workflows (for example, turning a bulk location into a pick face). Review stock and operations before making changes.
Yes. Each Starshipit account has its own WMS instance, and you can optionally point multiple accounts to a shared WMS environment if needed.
The WMS will prevent receiving, putaway or replenishment jobs from placing that product in the restricted location.
Yes. Each location can have a barcode assigned, which can be scanned during picking, putaway and stocktake to speed up operations and reduce errors.
Most warehouses use shelf-level or bin-level granularity. More detailed locations increase accuracy but require more scanning, so choose a level that matches your operating style.