Stock locator file.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

number received. When a location already exists, the

a. Stock locator file. A stock locator file is the

material will normally be routed to that location upon

"heart" of a stock location system. It is an address

completion of identification and classification actions. If

directory for all stored material.

the quantity received obviously would not fit into the

(1) Existing records may be used to initially

existing location, the material will be routed to an

develop the locator file. However, to assure optimum

appropriate warehouse area for final location selection

accuracy, file establishment should include a complete

by the warehouseman.

wall-to-wall survey of material on hand. Appropriate

(1) For receipts without an existing location, if

location information is then entered into the locator file.

a file of empty locations by size and type is maintained,

The file must contain a locator record for each item

this file will be used to prelocate applicable items. If

stored. A record should reflect, as a minimum, the stock

such a file is not maintained, the material will be routed

number, condition code, unit of issue, and location(s).

to the appropriate warehouse for selection of a final

Additional data may be entered as deemed essential to

location by the warehouseman.

operations (e.g., noun nomenclature, physical

security/pilferage codes, shelf-life codes, expiration

(2) Placing material into an existing location,

dates, or lot numbers).

establishing a new location, or deleting a location

requires feedback to the locator file control activity. For

(2) Procedures must be established to ensure

this purpose, receipts moving to the storage location will

positive control of all additions deletions, and changes

be accomplished by either an approved service/agency

to the locator file. Effort must also be directed to

form, or a copy of the receiving document. The

limiting the number of stock locator records. This can

document accompanying the material to storage must

be done, in part, by selecting storage locations which

be annotated by the warehouseman with the final

can hold the total quantity onhand. Intelligent selection

location data and returned to or through the locator file

of locations for stock issues

and

receipts

plus

control activity for proper recording.

consolidation of multilocation material into fewer or into

a single location will also aid in reduction of locations

c. Issue of material. EAM or ADP computer

per item.

generated issue documents may have material locations

printed on stock selection documents. Activities without

(3) The site of the locator file will depend on

this capability must screen the locator file and manually

the installation layout and the type of stock locator

annotate locations. For general supply items, when the

system used (i.e., maintained by manual means or by

quantity selected reduces the location balance to zero,

use of Electronic Accounting Machine (EAM) or ADP

the warehouseman will prepare a location delete action

equipment). The file could be located in an appropriate

on the appropriate service/agency form and forward it to

storage operation, in a central machine processing

the locator file control activity.

Because of item

office, or as part of central computer records. There

configuration or replenishment frequency, certain

will, however, be only one locator file maintained except

locations may be designated as permanent and not

when a supplementary file is necessary for control of

require deletion when temporarily empty. Criteria and

security items.

procedure for control of this will be established by each

(4) Activities without an EAM or ADP

service/agency.

capability or activities which store only a small number

d. Location changes.

Warehousing actions

of items may use a locator file system which is

maintained entirely on a manual basis. Location data

frequently involve movement of stored material into a

maintained on ADP equipment can be available almost

new location or consolidation with similar material in

instantaneously by use of certain ADP remote inquiry

existing location(s). The location additions or deletions

equipment.

The EAM and ADP methods can

caused by these actions will be immediately annotated

mechanically or automatically provide, in varying

the

warehouseman

the

appropriate

degrees, related supply documentation such as labels,

service/agency form and forwarded to the locator file

stock selection forms, material movement forms, and

control activity.

inventory count cards. Use of EAM and ADP equipment

e. Changes to data elements in locator file.

will minimize actions and provide speed and accuracy in

Changes to standard elements of management data in

processing location actions and in the maintenance of

the locator record such as stock number, physical

the locator file.

security/pilferage code, shelf-life code, etc., may be

b. Receipt of material. Upon receipt of material,

accomplished automatically based on centralized

the locator file will be screened for the stock

service/agency data broadcasts when

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