Lagerhaltungssysteme
Also: Lagersystem, Lagersysteme, Lagerungssystem, Lagerhaltung, Warehouse-System, Lagertechniksystem, Lagerinfrastruktur
AI-generated
Inventory management systems refer to the entirety of all technical, organizational, and information technology components used for the storage, management, and provision of goods in a warehouse.
Key facts
- Inventory management systems encompass all physical, technical, and organizational components of a warehouse — from racking technology to control software.
- The WMS is a component of the inventory management system, not a synonym for it.
- The choice of system depends primarily on product structure, throughput requirements, and available floor space.
- Interfaces between storage technology, conveyor technology, and IT are often the most critical integration points in practice.
- Total cost of ownership and long-term maintainability should be evaluated on an equal footing with the level of investment.
What are inventory management systems?
The term inventory management systems describes the overall framework of all means and methods by which a company physically stores, manages, and makes goods accessible. This includes mechanical storage technology such as racking and block storage, conveyor technology, automated storage solutions, labeling and identification systems, as well as IT systems such as warehouse management systems (WMS). Processes, tools, and organizational structures are also conceptually part of this framework. Because the term is so broadly defined, it is used in practice for both individual components and the overall system — an ambiguity that should be consciously taken into account during planning and tendering.
How do inventory management systems work in practice?
In a real warehouse, several system levels interact with one another. The physical level encompasses racks, containers, pallets, and conveyor lines. The information technology level controls inventories, storage locations, and orders via WMS or ERP systems. The process level defines how goods are received, stored, picked, and dispatched. Automated inventory management systems — such as automated small-parts warehouses (AS/RS), cube systems, or AutoStore — integrate these levels more closely than manual systems and therefore require closer coordination between technology, IT, and operations.
An overview of typical system types:
- Static racking systems: Pallet racks, shelving racks, cantilever racks — low degree of automation, high flexibility.
- Dynamic racking systems: Flow racks, push-back racks — optimize access times and space utilization.
- Automated storage systems: AS/RS, high-bay warehouses with stacker cranes, cube systems — high throughput, high investment.
- Floor storage and block storage: Simple, flexible solution for homogeneous, pallet-compatible goods.
What matters when making a selection?
Choosing the right inventory management system depends on several factors that must be evaluated together. The product structure and number of SKUs determine how much variety in storage locations is required. Access frequency and throughput requirements determine whether manual or automated systems are economically viable. Growth plans and space constraints influence the scalability of the solution. Interfaces between storage technology, conveyor technology, and IT systems are often the most critical points — especially in multi-vendor projects, responsibility for interfaces should be clearly defined contractually. In addition, total cost of ownership (TCO), maintenance requirements, and spare parts availability are criteria that are relevant in the long term and are often underestimated during the tendering phase. Vendor-specific aspects such as proprietary control software or manufacturer-bound service contracts can limit operational flexibility and should be made transparent during the decision-making process.
Related terms
- ABC-Analyse
ABC analysis is a method for classifying items, vendors, or processes into three priority classes (A, B, C) based on their economic significance. It forms the basis for differentiated decision-making in warehousing, inventory management, and procurement.
- AutoStore-Lagersystem
The AutoStore storage system is a fully automated cube storage system in which robots stack, retrieve, and transport plastic bins across a three-dimensional grid structure to stationary picking stations.
- Automatiklager
An automated warehouse is a fully or partially automated storage system in which the receipt, retrieval, transport and management of storage units are carried out without manual intervention, using conveyor technology, storage and retrieval machines, and a higher-level control software.
- Automatisches Kleinteilelager (AKL)
The Automated Small Parts Warehouse (AKL) is a fully automated storage system for totes, trays and small parts, in which storage and retrieval operations are performed without manual intervention by stacker cranes or shuttle systems.
- Bestandsführung
Inventory management refers to the system-supported administration and continuous updating of all warehouse and material stocks within a company. It forms the basis for planning, procurement and accounting – and ensures that the book inventory and physical inventory are in agreement at all times.
- Bestandsmanagement
Inventory management refers to the systematic planning, control, and monitoring of stock levels across the entire supply chain. The goal is to ensure delivery capability while keeping capital commitment and warehousing costs within economically viable limits.
- Blocklager
A block storage system is a storage method in which load units — typically pallets — are stacked directly on the floor in rows and blocks without any racking structure.
- Bodenlagerung
Floor storage refers to the storage of goods directly on the floor, without the use of racking systems. Pallets, stacks, or marked floor positions serve as the basic structure for area organization.
- Chaotische Lagerhaltung
Chaotic storage is a warehousing principle in which items are not stored in fixed, pre-assigned locations, but are instead dynamically placed in any available, suitable slot in the warehouse. A warehouse management system handles the control and tracking of all storage locations.
- Cube-System
A cube system is a high-density, grid-based storage system in which bins are stacked in a three-dimensional grid and moved by robots. It is particularly suited for small to medium-sized items with high throughput in limited storage space.
- Disposition
Disposition refers to the operational planning and control of resources, quantities, and orders in logistics – for example in transport or materials disposition. It encompasses capacity assignment, scheduling, prioritization, and response to disruptions.
- Distributionslager
A distribution center is a type of warehouse that consolidates goods and prepares them for targeted delivery to customers, branches, or downstream locations.