Netsuite bin management

Bin Management in NetSuite provides location-level tracking of inventory within a warehouse, allowing businesses to know which bin or shelf holds specific items and to record movements between locations. NetSuite Warehouse Management (WMS) extends this with additional operational capabilities including directed putaway, optimised pick path generation, and full mobile scanning workflows for all warehouse transactions. Bin Management is the right starting point for businesses that need location visibility and accuracy. Full WMS is suited to businesses with higher throughput requirements or more complex operational workflows. Annexa will help you assess which level of functionality is appropriate for your operation.

Bin Management can be used with or without mobile scanning devices. Without scanning hardware, bin locations are selected manually during receiving, transfers, and picking. With mobile scanners, scan-verified workflows can be implemented that confirm the correct bin at each step, improving accuracy and reducing the risk of items being picked from or stored in the wrong location. For businesses wanting the accuracy benefits of scan verification without the full cost of a WMS implementation, mobile scanning with bin management provides a practical middle ground.

Yes. In NetSuite, a single item can have stock spread across multiple bins, for example a primary pick face bin and a bulk overflow storage bin. The system tracks the quantity in each bin separately and can be configured to pick from the preferred bin first before drawing from secondary locations. This supports common warehouse practices like pick-face replenishment without requiring manual quantity management.

NetSuite is used by businesses of all sizes, from startups to rapidly growing companies. If you’re considering making the switch but unsure about the cost, here’s a quick breakdown.

NetSuite operates on an annual subscription model, which includes three key components: the core platform, optional modules, and the number of users. There’s also a one-time implementation fee for the initial setup. As your business expands, you can easily add new modules and users, thanks to the flexibility of cloud software.

Bin Management is available as part of NetSuite’s inventory management capabilities, with pricing dependent on your existing licence structure and requirements. Annexa will confirm what is included in your licence and what needs to be added during the scoping process.

Want to get a NetSuite pricing estimate? Contact us now to discuss your specific needs.

Assigning existing inventory to bins is completed as part of the implementation process through a structured bin assignment exercise. This typically involves a physical count of each storage location to confirm what is there and in what quantity, with the results used to populate the initial bin records in NetSuite. Annexa manages this process as part of the implementation to ensure the opening bin positions are accurate before the system goes live.

Yes. Bin structures in NetSuite can be updated as your warehouse layout evolves. New bins can be added, existing bins can be renamed or deactivated, and stock can be transferred between bins to reflect physical reorganisation. Bin changes are made within NetSuite without disrupting other system functions, and the transfer history for any items moved in the process is retained for reference.

Yes. If your business operates multiple warehouse or storage locations within NetSuite, each location can carry its own bin structure independently. Bin codes, preferred bin assignments, and stock counts are managed separately for each location, whilst consolidated inventory reports provide visibility across all locations in a single view.

Bin management supports more accurate and more frequent stock counting by making it practical to count specific bins or zones without stopping the entire warehouse. Count sheets or mobile scanning workflows are scoped to the bins being counted, and variances are visible at the bin level immediately after the count is completed. This targeted approach allows businesses to count high-velocity or high-value bins more frequently and investigate discrepancies at the exact location where they occurred.

As NetSuite’s 2024 ANZ Growth Partner of the Year, Annexa provides comprehensive support including implementation, configuration, ongoing support, and strategic guidance, all delivered by an Australian and New Zealand-based team with hands-on experience configuring bin management for warehouse and distribution operations across a wide range of industries.