The goal of warehouse operations is to satisfy customers’ needs and requirements while utilizing space, equipment, and labor effectively. The goods must be accessible and protected. Meeting this goal requires constant planning and ongoing change
Receiving Operations
Receiving duties often include the dock functions. The receiving function is the starting point for inventory control in the warehouse. It is also the function best suited for gathering information needed for keeping product details accurate and current.
Storage Operations
Storage functions are usually an extension of receiving department duties. The basic functions of storage are the movement of products from the dock area to a holding location, the recording of the location and quantity, and the updating of storage records so that the product can be found easily when it is needed.
Shipping Operations
Shipping operations is where the final steps are taken to prepare orders for shipment via the requested mode of transit. The tasks performed usually include weighing each carton, recording shipment information in a manifest system, and applying address labels generated by the manifest system. Inventory management is primarily about specifying the shape and percentage of stocked goods. It is required at different locations within a facility or within many locations of a supply network to proceed the regular and planned course of production and stock of materialsGenerally, inventory types can be grouped into four classifications: raw material, work-in-process, finished goods, and MRO goods.
RAW MATERIALS
Raw materials are inventory items that are used in the manufacturer's conversion process to produce components, subassemblies, or finished products.
WORK-IN-PROCESS
Work-in-process (WIP) is made up of all the materials, parts (components), assemblies,and subassemblies that are being processed or are waiting to be processed within the system. This generally includes all material—from raw material that has been released for initial processing up to material that has been completely processed and is awaiting final inspection and acceptance before inclusion in finished goods.
FINISHED GOODS
A finished good is a completed part that is ready for a customer order. Therefore, finished goods inventory is the stock of completed products. These goods have been inspected and have passed final inspection requirements so that they can be transferred out of work-in-process and into finished goods inventory. 
