What is “Bin” used for in TTS and ATS
Question: Bin: What is the purpose of the “Bin” designation in ATS/TTS?
Answer: Essentially, a ‘Bin’ item is classified as a item “grouping”. It’s an item that doesn’t require a barcode to be placed on it. It doesn’t need to be identified as a unique item/tool.
EX: could be a group of wrenches, a bunch of 6’ ladders, a box of work gloves, a drawer full of pencils, boxes of printer paper, etc. They’re not ‘unique’… a single barcode identifies the entire group.
Binned items can be either ‘Consumable” or “non-Consumable.”
“Consumable” binned items can be checked out, but, not checked in. Consumable items are NOT meant to be returned, but rather to be used up on a job or by a person. These could be gloves, water bottles, personal clothing, safety goggles, etc. This could also be reels of wire, network cabling, light bulbs…
“Non-Consumable” items can be checked out AND checked in. They are often those items considered to be of significant value, or extended use, so that they aren’t going to be consumed or used up on a job. These could be ladders (a 6’ ladder is a 6’ ladder is a 6’ ladder…), wrenches, hammers, buckets, power cords, etc….
Note: Once a tool is defined as a ‘binned’, item, it is always a binned item. This is not an editable field once the tool/asset is saved.
Regarding Reports:
‘Consumable’ binned items are CANNOT be checked back in. So, when the Check In function is selected, these items cannot be checked in singly, and they will not show up in the Checked Out listing if checking items back in by Group (Location or Employee). Additionally, in the REPORT function, consumables have their own Reports that can be generated.
‘Non-Consumable’ binned items CAN be checked back in. So, when the Check In function is selected, these items can be returned singley, or they will show up in the Checked Out listing if checking items back in by Group (Location or Employee). Additionally, in the REPORT function, non-consumables information will show up in the standard available reports.