Strategy P: Storage Unit Type

Use
Using this putaway strategy, the system processes different storage unit types (for
example, pallets) and allocates them to the appropriate section. Often, one
storage bin is divided into several smaller sections. Typically, only the same
storage unit types can be placed into a storage bin at one time.
Explanation of the Strategy
High rack storage is frequently designed so that a storage bin can accommodate
several different storage unit types. For example a storage bin can accommodate a
number of pallets depending on the size of the pallet, such as three standard pallets
(80 x 120) or two industrial pallets (100 x 120). A storage bin may be able to
accommodate a single oversized pallet or several very narrow pallets. Putaway by
storage unit type is illustrated below.

For this strategy, you define the maximum number of quants for each
combination of storage bin type and storage unit type. The first time goods
are transferred into the storage bin, the system determines what type of bin
sectioning is assigned to the storage bin. The system also determines which and
how many storage units can be transferred into the storage bins.
Prerequisites

When you define the storage type record to use this strategy
1.

Enter p in the Putaway strategy field.

2.
Select the SUT check active field to activate checking of the storage unit
type.
3.

Enter x in the Mixed storage field. Mixed storage is allowed.

Without Storage Unit Management only one quant exists for each item.
When SUManagement is active, only one storage unit (SU) exists for each
item. With indicator a (in the Mixed storage field) the SU has only one
quant. With indicator x the SU can have more than one quant.
Defining Bin Sections
The table below defines the number of sections the storage bin can be divided into.
That is, it controls the number of quants that can occupy a storage bin.

Defining Bin Sections

The table below defines the number of sections the storage bin can be divided into.
That is, it controls the number of quants that can occupy a storage bin.

Section Key
The section key decides which storage unit types and how many storage units of
each type can be put into a bin. The sectioning is determined dynamically in the
storage bin by the first storage unit placed in the bin. The sectioning is deleted as
soon as the last storage unit has been removed from the bin.
Position Identification Codes
To identify each section of a storage bin you enter a one- or two-character code (for
example A1, BB, 12) in one of the columns numbered from 1 to 99 under the
heading Sections. In the Number of Sections field the system displays the total
number of sections that you have defined.

This code is appended to the storage bin coordinate and separated from it by a
slash (/). For example, using the sections defined for warehouse 001 and storage
type 007 (illustrated in the following table) and assuming the storage bin has the
coordinate 02-10-01, the three sections of the bin are identified as follows:
02-10-01/1 02-10-01/2 02-10-01/3
Once you have defined all the storage bin sections that are required for the storage
type, these values cannot be changed.
Assignment of storage bins and storage unit types
For each storage type, you assign the appropriate bin sectioning to each allowed
combination of storage bin type (the Bin Type field) and storage unit type (the SUT
field).

See The Storage Bin for information about creating and maintaining storage bins. If
you transfer goods into the storage type for which bin sectioning has been defined,
you must enter the storage unit type in the preparation screen of the transfer order.
Based on the storage unit type you enter, the system searches for suitable empty
storage bins. The system ensures that only a single type of storage unit is stored in
a storage bin at the same time.
Additional Option
If you assign the same bin type and a different storage unit type to the same
section key, is also possible for you to putaway more than one type of pallet into the
same storage bin.
Assign Bin and Storage Unit Types

Example: Optional SUT Check When Creating a TO

The system can only find the appropriate storage bins for a storage unit type (SUT)
when creating transfer orders if the SUT check is activated. There is a restriction of
10 allowed SUTs per storage type. You can enter *** as an allowed SUT in this table.
This entry means that all the SUTs in this storage type are allowed. The system then

searches for a suitable storage bin for the SUT based on the allowed bin types per
SUT.
Before implementing this optional SUT check, you should examine the table
parameters closely since problems with performance can arise if the configuration
settings are not optimal. The following example outlines the performance problems
associated with the optional storage unit type check and their solutions:
For SUT E1, bin types P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 are allowed. They are to be stored in
storage type 001. However, only storage bins of the type P0 exist here.
SUT type E1 would not normally be allowed in storage type 001. An efficient
system recognizes this (in that it can access a completely buffered table) and
continues the search for a place in the next storage type.
During the optional SUT check, the database is accessed 5 times
unsuccessfully. This number increases correspondingly if you work with different
storage sections.
It is relatively simple for you to check the customizing settings by viewing the log
for the storage bin search. The more unsuccessful attempts made, the more
ineffective the process becomes. The number of attempts must be reduced by
optimizing the storage type search.