> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://betterdatainc.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Locations

> How to create and manage locations, location types, activities, and bins

# Locations

Create and manage physical and virtual locations for your organization. Configure location types, supported activities, and storage bins/zones.

<Note>
  **Scope**: Tenant-scoped; requires org admin permissions\
  **Availability**: Not available in SuperAdmin
</Note>

## Understanding Location Configuration

### Location Types

Location types come from your industry pack templates:

**Customization Tier**: TEMPLATED\_OVERRIDE

* Pack provides default location types
* You can add custom location types
* Location types determine available activities

**Healthcare Pack Examples:**

* CENTRAL\_STORE, WARD, PHARMACY, OR, RECEIVING\_DOCK, VACCINE\_COLD\_ROOM, QUARANTINE

**Retail Pack Examples:**

* STORE\_FRONT, BACKROOM, MFC, DC\_INBOUND, DC\_STORAGE, DC\_OUTBOUND, RETURNS\_DESK, CMO\_NODE

**Manufacturing Pack Examples:**

* COMPONENT\_STORE, ASSEMBLY\_CELL, RMA\_QUARANTINE, FINISHED\_GOODS, QC\_LAB, RAW\_STORE, WIP\_BUFFER, PRODUCTION\_LINE

### Location Activities

Activities define what operations can occur at a location:

**Customization Tier**: TEMPLATED\_OVERRIDE

* Pack provides activity templates mapped to location types
* You can modify activity mappings
* Activities include: RECEIVE, PUTAWAY, PICK, PACK, SHIP, DISPENSE, CONSUME, TRANSFER\_IN, TRANSFER\_OUT, ADJUSTMENT, DAMAGE, EXPIRE

### Bins and Zones

Storage organization within locations:

**Customization Tier**: TENANT\_DEFINED

* You define all bins and zones
* No pack defaults
* Bin types: STANDARD, RECEIVING, HOLD, QUARANTINE, DAMAGE, PICKING, REPLENISHMENT, STAGING

## Creating a Location

### Step 1: Basic Information

1. Navigate to **Admin** → **Locations**
2. Click **Create Location**
3. Enter basic information:
   * **Name**: Location name
   * **Location Type**: Select from pack types or custom
   * **Address**: Physical address
   * **Contact Information**: Phone, email
   * **Operating Hours**: Hours of operation

### Step 2: Configure Location Type

1. Select **Location Type** from:
   * Pack-provided types (recommended)
   * Custom location types (if created)
2. System automatically configures:
   * Default supported activities
   * Activity constraints
   * Location capabilities

### Step 3: Configure Supported Activities

1. Review default activities from location type template
2. Enable/disable activities as needed:
   * **RECEIVE**: Can receive inventory
   * **PICK**: Can pick inventory
   * **SHIP**: Can ship orders
   * **DISPENSE**: Can dispense (Healthcare)
   * **CONSUME**: Can consume (Healthcare)
   * **TRANSFER\_IN/OUT**: Can transfer inventory
   * **ADJUSTMENT**: Can make adjustments
3. Some activities may be locked based on location type

### Step 4: Configure Constraints

Configure location constraints:

* **Temperature Class**: For cold chain (Food & Beverage, Healthcare)
* **Capacity**: Storage capacity (optional)
* **Operating Hours**: Hours of operation
* **Time Zone**: Location time zone

## Managing Location Types

### Viewing Location Types

1. Navigate to **Admin** → **Locations** → **Location Types**
2. View location types:
   * **Pack Types**: Types from your industry pack
   * **Custom Types**: Types you've created
   * **Activity Mappings**: Activities supported by each type

### Creating Custom Location Types

1. Click **Create Location Type**
2. Configure:
   * **Name**: Type name
   * **Description**: Type description
   * **Activities**: Select supported activities
   * **Constraints**: Configure constraints
3. Save location type

**Note**: Custom location types are fully tenant-defined. Pack templates provide defaults, but you can create custom types.

## Managing Activities

### Activity Configuration

Activities are mapped to location types via templates:

1. **Pack Templates**: Industry pack provides default mappings
2. **Tenant Override**: You can modify mappings
3. **Custom Activities**: You can add custom activities (where supported)

### Activity Categories

Activities are organized by category:

* **Core**: RECEIVE, PICK, SHIP, etc.
* **Warehouse**: PUTAWAY, PACK, etc.
* **Purchasing**: PLACE\_PURCHASE\_ORDER, etc.
* **Administrative**: MANAGE\_INVENTORY, etc.

## Managing Bins and Zones

### Creating Zones

1. Navigate to **Admin** → **Locations** → **\[Location]** → **Zones & Bins**
2. Click **Create Zone**
3. Configure:
   * **Name**: Zone name
   * **Description**: Zone description
   * **Location**: Parent location
4. Save zone

### Creating Bins

1. Select zone (or location if no zones)
2. Click **Create Bin**
3. Configure:
   * **Name**: Bin name/identifier
   * **Type**: STANDARD, RECEIVING, HOLD, QUARANTINE, DAMAGE, PICKING, REPLENISHMENT, STAGING
   * **Zone**: Zone assignment (if using zones)
   * **Capacity**: Bin capacity (optional)
4. Save bin

### Bin Types

**STANDARD**: General storage bin
**RECEIVING**: Incoming shipments (auto-generated or manual)
**HOLD**: Stock not available to ship
**QUARANTINE**: Quality control isolation
**DAMAGE**: Damaged goods storage
**PICKING**: Active picking location
**REPLENISHMENT**: Bulk storage for replenishment
**STAGING**: Order staging area

**Customization Tier**: TENANT\_DEFINED (you define all bins)

## Location Hierarchy

### Parent-Child Relationships

Locations can be organized hierarchically:

1. **Parent Location**: Main location
2. **Child Locations**: Sub-locations
3. **Zones**: Organizational areas within location
4. **Bins**: Storage bins within zones or locations

### Location Groups

Group locations for:

* Reporting
* Operations
* Access control

## What Success Looks Like

### Location Management Success

* ✅ All locations properly configured
* ✅ Location types align with operations
* ✅ Activities properly mapped
* ✅ Bins and zones organized
* ✅ Location hierarchy clear

### Configuration Success

* ✅ Pack defaults used when appropriate
* ✅ Custom types created when needed
* ✅ Activities properly configured
* ✅ Constraints set appropriately
* ✅ Configuration documented

## Common Pitfalls

### 1. Not Using Pack Location Types

**Problem**: Creating custom location types when pack types would work.

**Solution**: Start with pack location types:

* Use pack types when they fit
* Only create custom types when needed
* Understand pack type capabilities

**How to avoid**: Review pack location types before creating custom types.

### 2. Not Configuring Activities Properly

**Problem**: Not enabling/disabling activities based on location needs.

**Solution**: Configure activities appropriately:

* Enable activities location will perform
* Disable activities location won't perform
* Review activity mappings regularly

**How to avoid**: Make activity configuration part of location setup.

### 3. Not Organizing Bins and Zones

**Problem**: Creating bins without organization structure.

**Solution**: Organize bins with zones:

* Use zones for organization
* Use consistent bin naming
* Document bin organization

**How to avoid**: Plan bin organization before creating bins.

### 4. Not Understanding Activity Constraints

**Problem**: Trying to enable activities that are locked for location type.

**Solution**: Understand activity constraints:

* Some activities are locked by location type
* Review location type definitions
* Work within constraints

**How to avoid**: Review location type capabilities before configuring activities.

## Troubleshooting

### Location Type Not Available

**Symptoms**: Expected location type not showing in list.

**Possible causes:**

1. Location type not in your industry pack
2. Location type not enabled
3. Custom type not created
4. Permissions issue

**Steps to resolve:**

1. Check industry pack location types
2. Verify location type is enabled
3. Create custom type if needed
4. Check user permissions

### Activities Not Working

**Symptoms**: Activity enabled but not working at location.

**Possible causes:**

1. Activity not properly configured
2. Location type constraint
3. Permission issue
4. System configuration issue

**Steps to resolve:**

1. Verify activity is enabled
2. Check location type constraints
3. Verify user permissions
4. Review system configuration

### Bins Not Showing

**Symptoms**: Bins created but not visible.

**Possible causes:**

1. Bins not assigned to location
2. Zone assignment issue
3. Filter hiding bins
4. Permissions issue

**Steps to resolve:**

1. Verify bins are assigned to location
2. Check zone assignments
3. Remove filters
4. Check user permissions

***

## Related Pages

* [Admin Overview](/admin/overview)
* [Locations Concept](/concepts/locations)
* [Customization Model](/admin/customization-model)
* [Viewing Inventory](/run/viewing-inventory)

***

## Permissions & Roles

<Warning>
  Creating and managing locations requires tenant admin permissions. Location changes affect inventory and operations. All location configurations are tenant-scoped and not available in SuperAdmin.
</Warning>