Receiving Process
What is the warehouse receiving process?
The warehouse receiving process covers accepting, inspecting and storing incoming inventory from suppliers.
The receiving process covers:
Unloading shipments
Verifying contents against purchase orders
Inspecting product quality
Updating inventory records
Directing items to storage locations
It is sometimes referred to as the goods receiving process or inbound receiving process.
The benefits of a robust warehouse receiving procedure
A comprehensive warehouse receiving procedure establishes inventory accuracy from the moment products enter the warehouse or distribution centre.
This ensures warehouses and distribution centres can distribute high-quality products and can fulfill and process orders on time and in full.
WMS and the receiving process
A warehouse management system (WMS) optimizes the receiving process by validating data, identifying discrepancies and identifying the optimal storage location.
The process starts when operatives scan product labels, quantities and lot numbers. The WMS validates this information against purchase orders in real time, immediately alerting operatives to errors.
As shipment contents are confirmed, the WMS analyzes product characteristics, storage requirements and available locations to assign optimal storage positions. Directed putaway tasks appear on operative devices immediately, reducing delays between unloading and storage.
The WMS can track metrics that identify bottlenecks and support continuous improvement including: dock-to-stock time, receiving accuracy rates and productivity (measured in units or pallets processed per labor hour).
Warehouse receiving best practices
Here are some ways to optimise the warehouse receiving process.
Appointment scheduling
Appointment scheduling prevents dock congestion by coordinating carrier arrivals with warehouse capacity and staffing.
The WMS allocates time slots and dock doors based on shipment size, product type and unloading requirements, ensuring operatives handle arrivals efficiently without overwhelming resources during peak periods.
Advance ship notice processing
Advance ship notice (ASN) processing prepares operatives before trucks arrive by transmitting shipment details electronically from suppliers to the WMS.
ASNs contain expected items, quantities and lot information. This allows the WMS to generate receiving tasks, assign dock doors and prepare putaway locations in advance. This accelerates processing and improves accuracy by providing expected-value references for verification.
Blind receiving validation
Blind receiving validation requires operatives to count and identify products without viewing expected quantities.
The WMS compares worker-entered data against purchase orders after counting is completed, flagging discrepancies for investigation. This approach prevents confirmation bias, catches supplier errors and ensures inventory accuracy.