Generally we want B2B allocation to happen out of storage, allowing for Pallet, Case, and Inner-pack level allocation before allocation of Eaches. We don’t, however, want shipment allocation to wait on the needed Eaches to make their way to Forward Pick (FP) if they aren’t already there. Additionally, for inventory with regular movement, we prefer not to have loose Eaches in Storage.

Strategy:

1. Anticipate B2B need – move in Case or IP qty from Storage to FP according to unallocated B2B need (if there is an expectation for FP need for a given item over the next couple of months)
2. Allocate B2B Shipments preferring FP for Eaches quantities, but overflowing to Storage such that B2B shipment allocation does not have to wait on inventory movement or require movement for otherwise non-moving items.
3. Clean up non-urgently; moving resulting less-than Case or Inner-Pack quantities of active inventory out of Storage and into FP.

Result:

Maintain sealed Pallets, Cases, and Inner-Packs in Storage, but the importance of house-keeping doesn’t constrain the urgency of important B2B order fulfillment.