When to Use Directed Putaway: Timing, Triggers, and Best Moments

Understanding when to use directed putaway helps warehouses prioritize labor, reduce congestion, and keep fulfillment flowing. For beginners, remember this rule of thumb: directed putaway is most useful at every goods receipt, but how and when it's executed should reflect operational context—volume, demand patterns, seasonality, and business priorities.

Standard triggers for directed putaway

• Receipt confirmation - The most common trigger. Once the receiving team scans and posts a goods receipt, the WMS generates putaway tasks based on configured rules.
• Advance shipment notices (ASNs) - When ASNs are accurate and timely, the WMS can pre-assign locations and prepare staff before physical arrival, speeding the process.
• Replenishment needs - Putaway is also triggered by replenishment: when forward pick locations need restocking, reserve or bulk inventory is moved and placed in accessible spots.
• Inventory balancing - Periodic balancing or consolidation tasks are scheduled to free congested aisles or to reorganize for a seasonal change.

When to prioritize immediate putaway vs delayed staging

Not all receipts should be put away immediately. In peak receiving windows or when space is constrained, temporary staging can be useful. Choose immediate putaway when:

• Inventory accuracy and immediate availability are required (e.g., fast-moving SKUs needed for same-day orders).
• There is sufficient labor and space to execute putaway without creating congestion.

Delay or stage putaway when:

• Receiving is overloaded and immediate movement would block throughput.
• Items require quality inspection, labeling, or kitting before placement.
• There are efficiency gains from consolidating small receipts into larger putaway moves.

When to adjust putaway rules

• Seasonal demand shifts - Move high-demand seasonal SKUs to forward pick zones before peak seasons start rather than reacting mid-peak.
• SKU lifecycle changes - Newly launched products might start in convenient pick locations; slow-moving items should be moved to denser storage.
• Space constraints or layout changes - After reconfiguring aisles or adding new racking, update rules to reflect physical changes.
• Performance targets not met - If putaway times, travel distances, or picking rates degrade, implement rule tweaks and monitor results.

Specific timing examples

In an e-commerce operation that receives in the morning and ships across the day, putaway should be executed quickly for top-selling SKUs to ensure they’re available for same-day picking. In contrast, a manufacturing supply warehouse might batch putaway to off-peak times to avoid disrupting production dock activity.

Using labor and technology to manage timing

Schedule dedicated putaway shifts during predictable inbound peaks and use WMS task prioritization to queue urgent moves. Employ slotting analytics and demand forecasting to pre-position inventory ahead of busy periods so directed putaway is proactive rather than reactive.

When not to use strict directed putaway

There are times when too-strict putaway rules can hurt throughput: for example, requiring exact bin matches for every receipt during a massive load-in will cause delays. Allow flexible assignments or temporary holding areas in exceptional circumstances.

Key metrics to watch so you know when to act

• Putaway cycle time (from receipt to storage confirmation)
• Receiving dock dwell time (how long items stay at the dock)
• Travel distance per putaway
• Frequency of putaway exceptions

Practical advice for beginners

• Automate triggers wherever possible so the WMS creates tasks as soon as receipts are posted.
• Use ASNs to pre-stage and pre-assign locations to reduce dock congestion.
• Create clear rules for when to stage vs put away immediately, and document them in operating procedures.
• Review performance weekly during peak seasons and adjust priorities quickly.

Directed putaway should be applied thoughtfully: use it for every receipt when feasible, but tune timing and priority to the realities of your warehouse. Knowing when to act—immediately, later, or on a schedule—lets you keep inventory accurate, maintain flow through the receiving dock, and support fast fulfillment.