Public Warehousing Terms to Know

Ever notice how just about every industry has its own lingo? Well, the warehousing, distribution and logistics industry is no different. We have our fair share of acronyms, abbreviations and special terms that we commonly use in everyday work speak. At Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services, we try to limit our industry lingo so as not to alienate our customers. But there are some commonly used public warehousing terms that you should be aware of when doing business with a public warehouse, which is why we developed this glossary of terms as a handy reference.

Commonly Used Public Warehousing Terms

ADC or AIDC – These are acronyms for automated data collection or automatic identification and data collection. Both are systems comprised of hardware and software used to inventory products in a warehouse. Types of ADC or AIDC include bar code scanning, radio frequency identification and magnetic strips.

ASRS – This is an acronym for automated storage and retrieval system. It’s a racking system that makes retrieval of goods for picking and packing more efficient. At Brendamour Warehousing, our racking system can be easily customized to accommodate any size or type of product.

Bulk – Raw materials stored in a warehouse. In a warehouse, bulk also may describe types of storage areas for cases or full pallets.

Cube Utilization – The amount of space within a warehouse to determine the percentage of space needed to store goods.

Cycle Count – Inventory counts based on an established schedule set up between the customer and the warehouse.

FIFO – This is an acronym meaning first-in, first-out. Public warehouses use this method so the oldest inventory is shipped first.

Food-Grade Warehouse – A warehouse that meets requirements to store edible food products and ingredients, or food-grade packaging. Brendamour Warehousing is a certified food-grade warehouse.

FTZ – This is an acronym for foreign trade zone, which allows goods to be imported and stored in a warehouse tax free and duty free. Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services is a foreign trade zone.

Inventory – Any type of raw materials, goods, equipment, or supplies stored in a public warehouse.

Lift Trucks – Hydraulic vehicles used in warehouses to receive, store and retrieve goods. There are different types of lift trucks, for example, Brendamour Warehousing is equipped with fork trucks, box clamp, slip-sheet and roll clamp trucks for lifting, moving and stacking goods of any type and size.

Min-Max – A type of inventory system where each item is assigned a minimum and maximum quantity. When the quantity falls below the minimum number, more product is ordered to bring the inventory back up to the maximum quantity. Brendamour has inventory management software within its warehouse management system to assist our customers with real time inventory management.

Pallet – A portable platform used to move goods on a lift truck to the designated storage area in the warehouse.

Public Warehouse – A type of facility that offers short- or long-term warehousing to more than one business. Customers pay only for the space and services they use.

Skid – A portable platform without bottom deck boards used by a lift truck to move goods to the applicable storage area in the warehouse.

Slot – The actual space, such as a shelf bin, pallet, or rack, where an item is stored in a warehouse.

Warehouse – A facility where goods are stored, either in their raw or finished state. There are different types of warehouses. Brendamour is a public warehouse and distribution facility, offering full pallet storage, crates, roll stock and other forms of warehousing.

WMS – This is an acronym for warehouse management system. This computer software tracks the movement of goods throughout the warehouse. At Brendamour, our Web-based warehouse management system manages inventory, shipping and order tracking and allows you 24/7/360 access to your inventory in real time.

Most Used Distribution Terms

ASN – This is an acronym for advanced shipment notification, an electronic form of communication sent to end users to let them know a shipment is on its way. ASNs typically include carton or pallet numbers, SKU numbers, PO numbers and quantity.

Cubed Out – A term referring to a completely filled trailer truck.

*Direct Ship – *A distribution method where the seller’s goods are moved from a warehouse directly to the buyer.

Direct Store Delivery – A distribution method where goods are transported from a warehouse directly to a retail store.

Distribution – The process of storing, preparing goods for shipping and then transporting the items. At Brendamour, we also handle distribution resource planning to determine the necessary warehousing space, equipment and labor requirements to distribute your goods efficiently and cost-effectively.

Dunnage – The name for fill material used in packing up goods for shipping. Examples are bubble wrap, packing peanuts, air pillows and foam.

Duty – Fees collected by custom officials when goods are transported to another country.

Freight – Goods transported to their destination by truck, train, plane, or ship.

Fulfillment – The act of processing shipments.

Intermodal – Using more than one mode of transportation to ship goods.

LTL – This is an acronym for less than truckload, or shipped goods that do not fill an entire trailer truck.

Multimodal – Using two or more modes of transportation for one single shipment.

Straight Truck – A truck without a separate tractor or trailer used for delivering goods. Also known as a box truck.

*TMS – *An acronym for transportation management system, a distribution software that tracks all stages of transportation of goods. The software provides rate comparisons, shipping manifests, routing, carrier options and more.

Tractor Trailer – A truck with a separate tractor and one or more trailers used to transport goods.

Transportation – Moving goods through the supply chain using some form of commercial vehicle.

Often Used Logistics Lingo

3PL – This is an acronym for third party logistics, which encompasses all services in supply chain management. Brendamour is a 3PL provider because we offer additional services beyond warehousing and distribution.

Batch Picking – A logistics service offered by 3PLs. It is an order picking method where a group of orders are picked at the same time.

Case Picking – A logistics service where cases filled with a standard quantity of a specific item are picked for orders.

Gravity Conveyor – This is a type of system that uses gravity to move materials to fulfill orders.

Logistics – This refers to all activities in the lifecycle of a product, starting with its point of origin to its point of use or consumption. Types of logistics include procurement, production, distribution, reverse and disposal.

Order Fulfillment – A logistics service that prepares orders for shipment by performing order picking and order fulfillment processes, such as pick and pack, light assembly, labeling, bundling, custom packing, etc. At Brendamour Warehousing, Distribution & Services, our order fulfillment includes a sophisticated automated shipping and routing computer and gravity conveyor system for fast and cost-effective order preparation.

Order Picking – The process of picking orders in preparation for shipment. There are many types of picking methods, including pick-to-carton, pick-to-light, pick-to-clear and piece picking.

Supply Chain – Any process needed to produce and distribute goods.

Need Something Explained to You?

If you ever have a question about a warehousing, distribution, or logistics term or process, just get in touch with us. At Brendamour, we’re dedicated to helping you decipher the industry speak so you thoroughly understand the services you need to make your business a success. We welcome the opportunity to be your 3PL partner.