Get it There Safely, Store it Right, and Keep It Ready to Ship — with ERP Visibility
📦 DELIVERY AND STORAGE CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR INVENTORY
Your warehouse may be full — but if bundles are broken, pallets are mislabeled, or stock is buried behind other shipments, your “inventory” isn’t really available.
For building materials, where most items are bulky, weather-sensitive, and handled by forklifts (not fingers), handling guidelines are everything.
In this post, we’ll cover the best practices for delivery and material handling, and how your ERP system supports real-time visibility, safer storage, and faster fulfillment.
🏗️ THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF BUILDING MATERIAL INVENTORY
Most materials are not shelf-sized
Moisture, sun, or temperature can damage product integrity
Jobsite returns can corrupt stock integrity
Forklifts, banding, and yard storage create complexity
Delivery staging must be precise to avoid re-pulls
🛠️ DELIVERY & HANDLING BEST PRACTICES FOR BUILDING MATERIALS
✅ 1. STANDARDIZE UNLOADING & STAGING PROCEDURES
Whether in a warehouse or outdoor yard:
Designate clear drop zones
Use ERP to match PO/SO with expected delivery windows
Take photos of every inbound load for documentation
🎯 ERP Tip: Log any damaged shipments directly to vendor records — with time-stamped photos.
✅ 2. STORE BY PRODUCT TYPE + USAGE FREQUENCY
Keep fast-turn items (e.g., drywall, framing) near outbound bays
Store long-term goods higher up or farther back
Group SKUs by usage kits — e.g., flashing, siding, trim
Use ERP bin IDs and barcode zones for fast pick paths
🧠 ERP can recommend optimal placement based on movement data.
✅ 3. PROTECT AGAINST DAMAGE & CONTAMINATION
Weather-sensitive items? Use:
Covered racking for bagged mortars, adhesives, sheet goods
Vapor barriers or pallets for lumber and engineered wood
Strap protection and corner guards on long items
🎯 Record conditions in ERP and flag “Handle with Care” SKUs.
✅ 4. ENSURE VISIBILITY OF DELIVERY STATUS
Every load dispatched should have:
Driver contact info
Jobsite drop zone instructions
POD with timestamp, photo, and signature
Automatic ERP updates on arrival or exceptions
📊 ERP METRICS TO TRACK INVENTORY HANDLING
MetricBenefit
Pick Error RateHighlight warehouse process gaps
Inventory Loss by SKUPinpoint mishandled items
Average Delivery Completion TimeSpot dispatch inefficiencies
Damage Claims by VendorBuild better vendor scorecards
🎯 FINAL THOUGHT
Good inventory isn’t just about what’s on paper — it’s about what’s actually usable, accessible, and accurate. When delivery, handling, and ERP tracking all work together, your materials move faster, last longer, and build trust with your customers.
📞 Want to reduce damage and speed up delivery? Let’s configure your ERP for smarter handling and drop-zone control.
