How do you configure picking to a dedicated bin?
It’s possible to set up the work center or machine center in a way that the consumption or production order is made for a specific bin. Let’s see the scenario here.
This is what happens in the video
In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, you can control which bin a production order posts consumption from by setting up bin codes directly on the work center or machine center. When you configure a “to-production bin” on the work center, Business Central uses that bin code instead of the location’s default bin when you refresh the production order.
This works on advanced locations where the directed pick (WMS) checkmark is not enabled. The bin code on the work center takes priority because the work center is a unique geographical spot tied to a single location.
To use this, enter the work center number on the routing line, set up the relevant bin codes on that work center, and refresh the production order. The component line will then suggest the bin you defined on the work center.
Controlling consumption bins on the work center or machine center
Business Central lets you set up the work center or machine center so that consumption and production order movements are directed to a specific bin. This means you decide, at the work center level, where items are picked or moved for production.
The work center sits at a unique geographical spot, so it can only belong to one location. That makes it a sensible place to define a dedicated bin code for the picks or movements performed during production.
The default behaviour without a bin code on the work center
Consider a scenario where you enter an item on a production order at location code “Main”. This is an advanced location, but it does not have the directed pick (WMS) checkmark enabled.
When you refresh the production order and look at the component line, the bin code defaults to the bin defined in your location setup. In this example, that default bin is 120. So when you move or pick items for the production order, they are moved into bin 120, and consumption is posted from there.
Adding bin codes to the work center to override the default
You can change this by setting up bin codes on the work center itself. In this example, the routing line shows that the last operation in the routing is number 400, and the consumption is handled by that last operation.
By entering work center 400 and setting up two bin codes on it, you can define your own to-production bin. The bin codes are set up against the specific location, since the work center can only exist in one geographical area. You set the to-production bin to the value you want the production order movements calculated against.
Verifying that the work center bin takes priority
Go back to the production order and refresh it again. When you check the component line, Business Central correctly suggests the new bin code you added on the work center as the bin to post consumption from, rather than the location’s default bin.
This confirms that a work center, as a unique geographical spot, can have its own bin code where the picks or movements are performed to. It gives you finer control over where components are consumed in production.
Q&A
Can you set up a production order to consume from a specific bin per work center?
Yes. You set up bin codes directly on the work center or machine center in Business Central. When you refresh the production order, the component line uses the bin code defined on the work center instead of the location’s default bin.
Does this require the directed pick (WMS) checkmark on the location?
No. This works on advanced locations that do not have the directed pick (WMS) checkmark enabled. The example uses an advanced location with the WMS checkmark turned off.
What happens if you do not set a bin code on the work center?
The component line defaults to the bin defined in your location setup. In the example, this default bin is 120, so consumption is posted from there.
Why can a work center only have bin codes for one location?
A work center occupies a single geographical spot, so it can only belong to one location. The bin codes you set up on it apply to that location only.
How do you check that the work center bin code is being used?
Refresh the production order and open the component line. Business Central will suggest the bin code you defined on the work center as the bin to post consumption from.