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Storage Configuration

Storage files define racks, bins, and inventory placements.

Overview

Storage configuration includes:

  • Racks - Physical storage structures
  • Bins - Individual storage locations within racks
  • Placements - SKU quantities in bins

Storage files are YAML format.

File Format

racks:
  - id: "R1"
    node: "6"
    levels: 4
    bins_per_level: 10

  - id: "R2"
    node: "7"
    levels: 4
    bins_per_level: 10

placements:
  - rack: "R1"
    level: 1
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU001"
    quantity: 100

  - rack: "R1"
    level: 1
    bin: 2
    sku: "SKU002"
    quantity: 50

Racks

Rack Properties

Property Type Description
id string Unique rack identifier
node string Map node where rack is located
levels integer Number of vertical levels
bins_per_level integer Bins per level

Example

racks:
  - id: "Rack_A1"
    node: "6"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20

  - id: "Rack_A2"
    node: "7"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20

  - id: "Rack_B1"
    node: "11"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20

Placements

Placement Properties

Property Type Description
rack string Rack ID
level integer Level number (1-indexed)
bin integer Bin number (1-indexed)
sku string SKU identifier
quantity integer Initial quantity

Example

placements:
  # Fast-moving SKUs at eye level
  - rack: "Rack_A1"
    level: 3
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU001"
    quantity: 500

  - rack: "Rack_A1"
    level: 3
    bin: 2
    sku: "SKU002"
    quantity: 300

  # Slower SKUs at higher/lower levels
  - rack: "Rack_A1"
    level: 1
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU050"
    quantity: 50

Complete Example

# Warehouse storage configuration

racks:
  # Zone A - Fast movers
  - id: "ZoneA_R1"
    node: "6"
    levels: 4
    bins_per_level: 15

  - id: "ZoneA_R2"
    node: "7"
    levels: 4
    bins_per_level: 15

  # Zone B - Medium movers
  - id: "ZoneB_R1"
    node: "11"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20

  - id: "ZoneB_R2"
    node: "12"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20

  # Zone C - Slow movers
  - id: "ZoneC_R1"
    node: "16"
    levels: 6
    bins_per_level: 25

placements:
  # Zone A placements (high-velocity SKUs)
  - rack: "ZoneA_R1"
    level: 2
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU001"
    quantity: 1000

  - rack: "ZoneA_R1"
    level: 2
    bin: 2
    sku: "SKU002"
    quantity: 800

  - rack: "ZoneA_R1"
    level: 3
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU003"
    quantity: 600

  - rack: "ZoneA_R2"
    level: 2
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU004"
    quantity: 500

  # Zone B placements (medium-velocity SKUs)
  - rack: "ZoneB_R1"
    level: 3
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU020"
    quantity: 200

  - rack: "ZoneB_R1"
    level: 3
    bin: 2
    sku: "SKU021"
    quantity: 180

  # Zone C placements (slow-moving SKUs)
  - rack: "ZoneC_R1"
    level: 4
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU100"
    quantity: 50

  - rack: "ZoneC_R1"
    level: 4
    bin: 2
    sku: "SKU101"
    quantity: 40

Linking to Scenario

Reference the storage file in your scenario:

storage:
  file: warehouse_storage.yaml

SKU Popularity

The sku_popularity setting in orders affects which SKUs are picked:

orders:
  sku_popularity:
    type: zipf
    alpha: 1.0  # Higher alpha = more skewed toward popular SKUs

Place fast-moving SKUs:

  • Near pick stations
  • At ergonomic levels (2-3)
  • In easily accessible bins

Replenishment Integration

With replenishment enabled, inventory is monitored:

replenishment:
  enabled: true
  default_threshold: 10
  sku_thresholds:
    SKU001: 50  # High-velocity SKU needs more buffer
    SKU002: 30

When bin quantity drops below threshold, replenishment tasks are generated.

Default Behavior

If no storage file is specified, Waremax generates demo inventory:

  • 20 SKUs distributed across rack nodes
  • Random initial quantities
  • Used for quick testing

Best Practices

SKU Placement Strategy

  1. Fast movers near stations - Minimize travel distance for high-velocity SKUs
  2. Ergonomic levels - Place frequently accessed items at mid-levels
  3. Zone separation - Group similar SKUs together
  4. Buffer stock - Higher quantities for popular SKUs

Capacity Planning

Calculate total storage capacity:

Total bins = Sum(levels × bins_per_level) for all racks

Example:

racks:
  - id: "R1"
    levels: 4
    bins_per_level: 15
    # Capacity: 4 × 15 = 60 bins

  - id: "R2"
    levels: 5
    bins_per_level: 20
    # Capacity: 5 × 20 = 100 bins

# Total: 160 bins

Multi-Location SKUs

Same SKU can be in multiple locations:

placements:
  - rack: "R1"
    level: 2
    bin: 1
    sku: "SKU001"
    quantity: 200

  - rack: "R2"
    level: 3
    bin: 5
    sku: "SKU001"
    quantity: 150

  # Total SKU001: 350 units

Validation

Storage is validated during scenario validation:

waremax validate --scenario my_scenario.yaml

Checks include:

  • Rack nodes exist in map
  • Level and bin numbers are valid
  • Quantities are non-negative

Next Steps