CFS inventory management starts where container-level visibility is no longer enough. Once a container is stripped, the warehouse may need to manage many individual pallets, cartons and cargo units with different owners, consignees, statuses, documents and release times.
For warehouse teams, knowing that cargo is simply “inside the CFS” is not sufficient. They need to know exactly what was received, where each unit is stored, whether it can be released and what has happened to it since arrival.
Solvo.WMS provides this cargo-level inventory record for CFS and terminal warehouse operations.
What CFS Inventory Management Needs to Control
CFS inventory differs from conventional distribution-center stock.
Cargo may be unique to a specific shipment rather than interchangeable inventory. A pallet linked to one Bill of Lading cannot simply be substituted with another pallet of similar goods.
The system therefore needs to maintain relationships between the physical cargo and relevant operational information.
Depending on the process, Solvo.WMS can maintain:
- cargo identifier;
- Bill of Lading;
- owner or consignee;
- booking or shipment information;
- warehouse location;
- handling unit;
- weight and dimensions;
- cargo status;
- operation history.
These attributes remain connected as cargo moves through the warehouse.
From Container Visibility to Cargo-Level Inventory
A TOS can provide detailed visibility of a container while it is handled at the terminal.
After stripping, however, the container may no longer represent the physical structure of the cargo.
One container can become many independent handling units. These units may later move to different storage locations and leave through separate delivery requests.
Solvo.WMS maintains inventory at this lower cargo level.
For more on the boundary between the systems, see TOS and WMS Integration for CFS.
Mobile Cargo Registration at Receiving
Inventory accuracy begins during receiving.
Warehouse operators can register cargo directly at the point of handling using mobile terminals.
Depending on the process, receiving can include:
- scanning an identifier;
- selecting or entering cargo data;
- printing a warehouse label;
- capturing weight;
- capturing dimensions;
- taking a photo;
- recording damage;
- assigning category or status.
Weighing and dimensioning devices can also be integrated when required.
This helps create the operational cargo record at the moment the warehouse takes control of the physical unit.
Address-Based Cargo Storage
After receiving, Solvo.WMS can assign a destination storage location and create a movement task.
The operator follows the task on a mobile device, scans the cargo and confirms the destination.
Once the move is completed, the inventory record reflects the new location.
This gives managers a direct answer to a critical operational question:
Where exactly is this cargo now?
Instead of searching manually through floor storage or relying on individual employee knowledge, warehouse teams work from a current address-based inventory record.
Rule-Based Putaway for Terminal Warehouses
Not all available locations are equally suitable.
Solvo.WMS can apply configurable putaway rules based on operational criteria.
Depending on the warehouse, these may include:
- Bill of Lading;
- owner;
- consignee;
- product or cargo category;
- manufacturer;
- storage requirements;
- storage duration;
- dispatch priority;
- warehouse zone.
For example, cargo expected to be collected shortly can be placed closer to dispatch, reducing unnecessary internal movements later.
Cargo Status and Release Availability
Location alone does not determine whether cargo can be used in an operation.
A pallet may physically be in the correct location but remain unavailable because of customs, quality or another operational restriction.
Solvo.WMS stores status together with the inventory record and can use that status during warehouse execution.
This makes it possible to distinguish:
cargo is physically present
from:
cargo is available for release
For customs-controlled processes, see Bonded Warehouse Management.
Cargo Movement History and Traceability
Every warehouse move changes the physical state of the operation.
Solvo.WMS can retain history showing when cargo was:
- received;
- placed into storage;
- moved;
- picked;
- staged;
- dispatched.
The history can also include the user involved in the operation.
This information is particularly valuable when investigating discrepancies, loss or customer claims.
Photo capture and CCTV integration can provide additional evidence around cargo handling.
For broader WMS traceability functionality, see Warehouse Inventory Control & Traceability.
Inventory Across Import and Export Processes
The same inventory model supports both CFS directions.
For import, the cargo-level record begins after or during stripping and remains active until cargo is released to the consignee.
For export, inventory begins when cargo arrives at the CFS and continues through temporary storage, consolidation and stuffing preparation.
See:
Customer Access to Cargo Information
Cargo owners and consignees frequently need status information without requiring access to the internal WMS interface.
Solvo.Web can provide a customer-facing layer for requests and relevant cargo information.
This helps reduce the need to answer routine status questions through email, calls or spreadsheets while keeping internal warehouse execution within Solvo.WMS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information can be tracked for CFS cargo?
Depending on the process, the cargo record can contain its owner, consignee, Bill of Lading, location, status, handling unit, physical characteristics and warehouse operation history.
What is address-based storage in a CFS?
Address-based storage means that the system records the specific warehouse location of a cargo unit rather than simply showing that it is present somewhere inside the facility.
Can a CFS WMS manage mixed cargo?
Solvo.WMS can support different handling structures, including pallets, cartons and mixed handling units, depending on the warehouse process and configuration.
How does cargo-level traceability help with claims?
Movement history, users, timestamps, photo capture and CCTV integration can provide additional operational evidence when investigating cargo loss, damage or disputes.
Know Where Every Cargo Unit Is
Move from container visibility to cargo-level inventory control across receiving, storage, movement and release.
