The Ultimate Guide to Warehouse Acronyms – What’s Buzzing on the Racks?
- Danyul Gleeson
- Apr 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Because “WMS, SKU, ASRS, MHE” shouldn’t sound like a robot malfunction
Introduction: Where Boxes Meet Buzzwords
Step inside any modern warehouse and you’ll hear a peculiar dialect—part engineer, part barista, part sci-fi code. It’s a world where people casually shout “Check the WMS for LIFO SKUs near the ASRS unit!” and somehow everyone nods knowingly.
If you’ve ever found yourself Googling acronyms in the breakroom—or pretending “MHE” is someone’s initials—you’re not alone. But fear not. This blog is your acronym-to-English warehouse translator.
We’re about to decode 50+ of the most commonly used (and abused) acronyms in warehousing, complete with wit, clarity, and just enough sass to make it memorable.
📦 Warehouse Operations & Systems Acronyms
WMS – Warehouse Management System
The digital overlord of the warehouse. Tracks inventory, optimises pick paths, handles putaways, replenishments, and packing.
WCS – Warehouse Control System
Sits between the WMS and the machines—executes real-time tasks like sorting, scanning, and conveyor control.
WES – Warehouse Execution System
A hybrid of WMS + WCS. Think of it as the “middle brain” coordinating labour and automation dynamically.
ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
Your company-wide system of truth. In warehousing, it syncs inventory with finance, purchasing, and sales.
LPN – License Plate Number
Not for cars—this barcode identifies pallets, totes, or cartons in your WMS.
SKU – Stock Keeping Unit
The unique ID for every product variation in your warehouse. A blue size-9 sneaker? That’s a SKU.
UPC / EAN – Barcodes
UPC: Used mainly in North America
EAN: Used globallyThese track and trace every unit, SKU, or product like a barcode bodyguard.
🚚 Warehouse Layout & Inventory Acronyms
FIFO – First In, First Out
Oldest stock gets picked first. Great for perishables, and even better for clearing out that dusty pallet of Easter eggs.
LIFO – Last In, First Out
Newest stock gets picked first. Used in certain industries (and often by accountants who don’t have to find it physically).
FEFO – First Expired, First Out
Expiry-date-driven picking. Perfect for pharmaceuticals, dairy, and anything that can make customers sick.
ABC – Always, Better, Control (Inventory Classification)
A-items: High-value, fast-moving
B-items: Mid-tier
C-items: Low-value, slow-movingHelps prioritise accuracy, security, and cycle counts.
VNA – Very Narrow Aisle
Maximises storage density with tall racking and slim aisles navigated by specialised forklifts.
BIN – Bin Location
Refers to a specific, addressable storage location within your warehouse.
ASN – Advanced Shipping Notice
Pre-alert from the supplier before a delivery lands. Lets your team prep receiving space and avoid chaos.
MRP / DRP – Material / Distribution Requirements Planning
MRP forecasts supply needs based on production. DRP does the same but for warehouses and replenishment.
🤖 Warehouse Tech & Automation Acronyms
AS/RS – Automated Storage and Retrieval System
Robotic racking. Machines pick, place, and fetch inventory with GPS-like accuracy.
AMR / AGV – Autonomous Mobile Robot / Automated Guided Vehicle
AGV: Follows fixed paths
AMR: Moves freely, guided by AI
🤖 Both do the heavy lifting—without complaining about overtime.
MHE – Material Handling Equipment
Covers forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, trolleys—anything with wheels or wires that moves stuff.
OCR – Optical Character Recognition
Scans and extracts data from labels or documents, no typing required.
RFID – Radio Frequency Identification
Tag it once, track it wirelessly forever. Faster than barcode scanning.
DWS – Dimensioning, Weighing & Scanning
Automated systems that measure, weigh and scan parcels for accurate billing and optimised packing.
PLC – Programmable Logic Controller
The warehouse’s automation command centre. Controls machinery and keeps conveyors humming.
HMI – Human Machine Interface
The screen or terminal that lets staff interact with automated systems and robots.
📊 Performance & Productivity Acronyms
KPI – Key Performance Indicator
Trackable metrics: pick rate, cycle time, accuracy, on-time dispatch, etc.
PPH – Picks Per Hour
Measures picker productivity. Also, a key stat to decide who gets the bragging rights at lunch.
UPH – Units Per Hour
Broad measure across all activities, not just picking.
OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness
Used for automation-heavy warehouses to track performance, availability, and quality of machines.
OTD – On Time Delivery
Tracks whether orders left the warehouse when they were supposed to.
OTIF – On Time In Full
Customer’s dream KPI. Product arrives on time and contains everything it’s supposed to.
PI – Physical Inventory
A full stock take, typically done annually (and the reason everyone hides that week).
CC – Cycle Count
Regularly checking sections of inventory in small batches, so you don’t have to PI all at once.
SOP – Standard Operating Procedure
The instruction manual for every task. Good SOPs = fewer mistakes = less chaos.
📦 Packing, Shipping & Returns Acronyms
BOM – Bill of Materials
A recipe of everything needed to assemble or kit a product.
COC – Certificate of Conformance
Shows a product meets required standards—essential for quality assurance.
DIM – Dimensional Weight
Used to calculate freight charges. Bigger boxes cost more, even if they’re full of feathers.
FNSKU – Fulfilment Network SKU (Amazon-specific)
Amazon’s unique barcode label for tracking individual products through its network.
FCR – Freight Cargo Receipt
Issued when freight is handed to a forwarder. Proof the goods are officially in transit.
RTV – Return to Vendor
When stock is returned to its supplier, often due to damage or overstock.
RMA – Return Merchandise Authorisation
The form or system used to track customer returns, repairs, or exchanges.
B2C / B2B / D2C – Business Models
B2C: Business to Consumer
B2B: Business to Business
D2C: Direct to Consumer
📦 Warehouses today must be ready for all three—and sometimes all at once.
💡 Final Thoughts: If You’re Fluent in Warehouse Acronyms, You’re Fluent in Efficiency
You don’t have to speak in acronyms to run a warehouse—but if you do, you’ll move faster, think smarter, and stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a warehouse rookie or a fulfilment phenom, this cheat sheet turns jargon into your secret weapon.
📦 FAQs: Warehouse Acronyms
What does WMS stand for in warehousing?
Warehouse Management System—a software platform that tracks, optimises, and automates warehouse operations.
What’s the difference between FIFO and LIFO?
What does MHE mean in logistics?
What is ASRS in a warehouse?
Automated Storage & Retrieval System—robotic racking and picking systems that optimise space and speed.
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