The Warehouse module provides an overview of the equipment that needs to be prepared, is coming back, or should have returned already. The module works with packing lists: the equipment tied to one pickup or return date of a (sub)project. Equipment can be booked per packing list and scanned to carry different statuses so that it's clear where the equipment currently is.
Crew can directly add alternatives, additional equipment, notes, or report lost and defective equipment (based on their user rights).
Overview of the module
To access the Warehouse module follow the steps from the video below:
Packing lists
A packing list is the equipment tied to one pickup or return date of a (sub)project. A (sub)project with several pickup or return dates has one packing list per equipment time, and the crew only sees the equipment tied to that date.
So if a (sub)project has several packing moments, you see a different tile for each packing moment, and each tile carries the same (sub)project name. On a five-day build, your crew opens the Warehouse module and sees only what goes out today.
A packing list only appears in the warehouse once its subproject is marked as ready to pack. A separate warehouse permission lets specific user roles see all packing lists, regardless of ready to pack. For more details, see Warehouse Module: Tile View.
Equipment status in the Warehouse module
In the Warehouse module, equipment can have four statuses. Follow this page to learn more about each status and how to use them.
Project status
Each project has a set status to show what stage the project is in. It is good to know that the warehouse status and the project status can be different.
The warehouse status belongs to each packing list. The status of a subproject is only used to manage the project itself, and the warehouse statuses no longer appear in the status list of the 'Projects' module.
You can read more about project status on this page.
Custom statuses in the warehouse
Depending on your workflow, customizing your warehouse statuses can help you keep better track of where your equipment is and what needs to be done next. Whether your equipment is in transit or a cleaning and check-up follows, you can create a warehouse status to match your inventory handling processes. Every status applies to a packing list, so each packing list of a project can be at a different stage.
Booking and scanning equipment
By booking equipment to a specific status, everyone in the warehouse knows what needs to happen with equipment items (or sets) and where they currently are located. You book equipment per packing list. Additionally, particular details about equipment (broken items, alternatives for planned items, notes) can be directly reported.
You can do this from the browser version and the mobile app version of Rentman.
It is, however, not mandatory to book equipment in Rentman. The equipment stock is based on the equipment planning, rather than the equipment booking.
Print a packing slip per packing list
Print a packing slip for each packing list, so the paper matches the screen. Packing slips for a packing list are their own document type, which sits alongside your existing document templates. Your existing templates keep working exactly as they are. Read how to print a packing slip per packing list.
Remove an item that should not go out
If an item should not go out after all, for example because it is damaged or over-ordered, mark it as Remove from project in the booking screen. This action is permission-based.
Cross-docking
Cross-docking speeds up equipment preparation for various projects by swiftly transferring and loading it between different transport modes, such as trucks, semi-trailers, and railroad cars. This minimizes handling and storage time as specific equipment doesn't need to be stored.