A classic interview question checks if you understand the distinction between receiving and putaway. While they are both inbound processes, they serve entirely different operational goals. Receiving acts as the point of entry and inventory acknowledgment, whereas putaway is the process of optimization and storage.
During receiving, the WMS verifies physical quantities against the ASN or PO, updates the inventory status, and generates receiving transaction records (PIX messages to the host ERP). Putaway, on the other hand, determines the optimal destination for that inventory based on rules like item velocity, hazard ratings, and temperature control.
In Manhattan Active® WMS, putaway is highly automated. The system evaluates real-time capacity and generates optimal travel paths for operators. Highlighting how putaway rules prevent warehouse congestion is a great way to impress an interviewer and show you understand space optimization.