In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, precise work with quantities is the basis for correct stock levels and essential for functioning warehouse management. Anyone who works with storage bins or has requirements for traceability and audit compliance should have a good understanding of the interaction between quantity logic and warehouse processes.
Storage locations and storage bins – Structured warehouse management
Several storage locations (sites) and bins within these can be defined in Business Central. This allows the warehouse to be mapped in a structured way, for example according to shelves, zones or temperature ranges.
Each posting – whether goods receipt, stock transfer or picking – then relates to specific storage bins. The quantities are managed exactly for each storage bin, which enables a high level of accuracy in inventory management.
Goods storage and stock transfer
When using extended warehouse management, quantities are actively booked in during putaway – to the specific storage bin. Stock transfers between bins or locations can also be posted and tracked.
The system always requires the quantities to be specified in the base unit – this ensures that all movements remain consistent throughout the system.
Storage bin-controlled order picking
When picking goods, picking takes place at storage bin level. Business Central can generate picking suggestions according to strategies (e.g. First In, First Out / fixed picking locations). The quantities picked are automatically added to the stock at the storage bin.
Traceability of stocks – serial numbers, batches, stock movements
Business Central enables the complete tracking of quantity movements, e.g. through
– Serial numbers (individual units)
– Batch numbers (group-related tracking)
– Stock entry sheets and article items
Every movement is logged in an audit-proof manner. This means it can be traced at any time:
– When and by whom a quantity was posted
– In which storage bin the goods are currently located
– Which batch or serial number was affected
This is particularly important in industries with legal requirements (e.g. medical technology, food, chemicals).
Inventory and audit compliance
Inventories can be carried out in BC for each storage bin. The actual quantities per storage bin are counted and compared with the system stock levels. All counts and differences are documented in an audit-proof manner – including time stamp and user name.
Adjustment postings (e.g. in the event of shrinkage) are also fully traceable via the article items and stock movements.
Logic of the base units in Business Central
The base unit is the central reference value for all quantity-related processes in Business Central. Each item is defined with exactly one base unit – such as ‘piece’, ‘kg’, ‘litre’ or ‘metre’. All movements, postings and calculations are based internally on this unit, even if alternative units are used in purchasing, sales or warehousing.
Alternative units – such as ‘carton’, ‘pallet’ or ‘parcel’ – are linked to the base unit using defined conversion factors. For example, 1 carton = 12 pieces. If a carton is booked, the system automatically converts it into 12 pieces.
The logic ensures that all data remains consistent and comparable across the system. For users, this means that no matter which unit they are working in, Business Central always calculates in the background on the basis of the base unit, thus ensuring standardised and error-free quantity management.
Conclusion
Quantities and storage bins are closely linked in Business Central. Anyone working with warehouse management benefits from a high level of transparency, traceability and audit-proof documentation – if the functions are used consistently. For users, this means that accurate quantity information, structured storage bin management and an overview of traceability are the key to an efficient warehouse process.
