Warehouse Inbound Process

Complete inbound logistics workflow from WMS account creation through cargo arrival, inspection, storage, and customer notification

Objective

Efficiently receive, inspect, and store incoming goods while maintaining accurate documentation and customer communication

Participants (5 roles)

inboundCoordinator: Inbound Coordinator
warehouseManager: Warehouse Manager
warehouseStaff: Warehouse Staff
warehouseSupervisor: Warehouse Supervisor
qcInspector: QC Inspector

Input

Packing list, bill of lading, and cargo arrival notification

Output

Stored goods with updated WMS records and customer notification

Process Flow

100%
flowchart LR
    node0["Create WMS Account"]
    node1["Email PL/BL"]
    node2["Cargo Arrival & Verification"]
    node3["Take Photos of Goods"]
    node4["Sign Delivery Order"]
    node5["Unload Goods"]
    node6["QC Inspection"]
    node7["Remark Goods"]
    node8["Rack Assignment"]
    node9["Update WMS"]
    node10["Close WMS + Email Customer"]

    node0 --> node1
    node1 --> node2
    node2 --> node3
    node3 --> node4
    node4 --> node5
    node5 --> node6
    node6 --> node7
    node7 --> node8
    node8 --> node9
    node9 --> node10

    classDef default fill:#1e293b,stroke:#3b82f6,stroke-width:2px,color:#e0e7ff,padding:10px

Performance Metrics

1-2 days

Avg. Completion Time

2-4 hours

unloadingTime

1-2 hours

inspectionTime

99.5%

inventoryAccuracy

Stages Overview

100%
PROPERTIES
STAGE 1
Create WMS Account
STAGE 2
Email PL/BL
STAGE 3
Cargo Arrival & Verification
STAGE 4
Take Photos of Goods
STAGE 5
Sign Delivery Order
STAGE 6
Unload Goods
STAGE 7
QC Inspection
STAGE 8
Remark Goods
STAGE 9
Rack Assignment
STAGE 10
Update WMS
STAGE 11
Close WMS + Email Customer
Stage Owners
Inbound Coordinator
Inbound Coordinator
Warehouse Staff
Warehouse Staff
Warehouse Supervisor
Warehouse Supervisor
QC Inspector
Warehouse Staff
Warehouse Staff
Inbound Coordinator
Inbound Coordinator
Stage Workers
-
Warehouse Manager
Inbound Coordinator
-
Warehouse Staff
Warehouse Staff
Inbound Coordinator
-
-
-
-
Duration
30 minutes
1 hour
1 hour
30 minutes
15 minutes
2-4 hours
1-2 hours
1 hour
30 minutes
30 minutes
30 minutes
Output Fields
• Packing List/Bill of Lading*
• Goods Arrival Date*
• Cargo Verification*
• Allocated Space*
• Arrival Photo - Container*
• Seal Verification*
• Container Number Match*
• Goods Photos*
• Photo Count*
• Signed Delivery Order*
• Unloading Time*
• Unloading Staff*
• QC Inspection Report*
• Discrepancy Notes
• Inspection Report File*
• Goods Label*
• SKU*
• Rack Location*
• Quantity*
• WMS Update Confirmed*
• Final Inventory Count*
• Confirmation Email*
• Customer Notified*
To-dos
• Create account in warehouse management system
• Upload initial documentation
• Notify warehouse of arrival date
• Allocate warehouse space for incoming goods
• Check container identity against provided documents
• Take comprehensive arrival photos
• Take photos of goods from multiple angles
• Upload photos to WMS system
• Sign delivery order
• Upload signed document to system
• Assign warehouse staff for unloading
• Unload and stage goods for inspection
• Check quality and quantity against packing list
• Document any discrepancies
• Label goods with warehouse identification
• Update SKU information in system
• Assign rack location
• Update location details in WMS
• Update SKU and quantity in WMS
• Finalize inventory records
• Mark job as complete in WMS
• Email customer with documentation

Automation Rules

Automation 1: Field Value Alert

If QC Inspection Report equals, Then send notification to Warehouse Manager with message: "QC inspection failed - immediate attention required"

high

Automation 2: Custom Automation

If stage_overdue, Then escalate to Warehouse Manager with message: "Unloading process delayed beyond expected timeframe"

Workflow Summary

Total Stages

11

Total To-dos

22

Output Fields

23

Automations

2