Receiving
Warehouse OperationsReceiving is the warehouse process of inspecting, documenting, and accepting incoming inventory shipments. Staff verify purchase orders against actual goods, check for damage or discrepancies, and scan items into the warehouse management system. Efficient receiving reduces unloading time, improves accuracy, and is often the first step in the put-away process. Receiving efficiency directly impacts dock-to-stock time and overall operational costs.
Related Terms
Put-Away
Put-away is the warehouse process of moving received inventory from the receiving dock to its assigned storage location in the warehouse.
WMS (Warehouse Management System)
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is software that controls and optimizes warehouse operations including inventory tracking, picking, packing, shipping, and receiving.
Dock-to-Stock Time
Dock-to-stock time is the duration from when a shipment arrives at the warehouse dock until inventory is fully received, verified, put away, and available for order picking.
ASN (Advance Shipping Notice)
An Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) is an electronic notification sent before a shipment arrives at the warehouse.