1 (edited by Just4Fun 2025-10-06 14:02:20)

Re: Bulk Storage Location

I don't know what happened with my post. Firstly thanks to Derek and Sparrow for your help I really appreciate it. I have used my same sample and have added my latest issue. I'm trying to add a Bulk Storage Location, Where user can add Multiple items to a single Bin Location / Pallet. My last resort would be to use a table grid in edit mode and enter items directly. I'm open to suggestions if i need to use a memo or what ever it takes. The idea is to have a single location where items can be added / removed and a label printed with Items, Qty ect.. QRCode with the Location and a link to a PDF containing a list of items and an image. so the Pallet / Bin location doesn't need to be opened and gone through to see if an item is there.

Post's attachments

Attachment icon Bulk Bin Location.zip 703.55 kb, 41 downloads since 2025-10-06 

Re: Bulk Storage Location

Hi,
Basically, I think you're wanting to use the 'Bulk Storage Location' as a default where items are initially added and then can be moved to a different location at some future point (assuming I've understood the issue correctly).
With respect, it seems to me that you're overcomplicating things.
1.  Isn't a 'bulk storage location' just like the other storage locations?  I'm not sure why you need to treat it differently by using a separate form.
2.  I don't understand your point about locations needing to be "....opened and gone through".  I think this could be addressed by having better search criteria on your main form.
I've taken your existing project and used bits from old projects of mine to hopefully give you an idea of how it might work and have included the above ideas (and some others) in the attachment.
Specifically
1.  The additional search criteria on Form1 gives you the option to filter for anything including 'Bulk Storage' from the 'Location' combobox (and any combination of search criteria).
2.  All the search criteria are now 'interactive' so start working as soon as anything is entered.
3.  All the search criteria are automatically wild-carded so you don't need to enter an exact match.
4.  I didn't see the need for a separate form for updating the 'weblinks' so it's now done on Form1.
5.  On Form2, 'Bulk Storage' is the default location;  this way, you can simply add items to your inventory and accept the default - but it also gives you the option to enter a specific location if you know it. 
6.  You might want to consider using 'parent comboboxes' to narrow down your choices to make it easier for the User and to reduce data entry mistakes.
7.  The barcode is now generated automatically once all of the required elements (location, storage type, shelf and bin) have been entered.
8.  The setting up of 'reference' data (ie location, bin, shelf etc) is now done all on one form using tab-sheets and editable tablegrids (to reduce the number of forms in your application).
Apologies but I've removed a lot of your script (I wanted to highlight where I'd made changes / suggestions) but it should just be a cut/paste exercise from your old project to re-insert them.
Anyway, hopefully this has given you some ideas so you can move your project forward.
Regards,
Derek.

Post's attachments

Attachment icon j4fun option 1.zip 585.7 kb, 48 downloads since 2025-10-06 

3 (edited by Just4Fun 2025-10-07 06:19:19)

Re: Bulk Storage Location

Hi Derek, Thank you for having a look and the effort that you have gone to, I know in the  Real-World: Mixed Cartons are thrown on a Pallet and stuck up on racking. Sorry when I mentioned (Bin location doesn't need to be opened and gone through) I meant the physical Bin, ie. Pallet / Carton
Normal inventory systems treat each item as a standalone record with its own label and location.
Non Stock Bulk Storage each carton contains multiple items, and each pallet contains multiple cartons — often grouped by category (e.g., Plumbing vs Electrical).
Proposing a hierarchical structure:
1.    Pallet  e.g., Pallet # 12
2.    Cartons on Pallet  e.g., Carton 1, Carton 2…
3.    Category Tag  e.g., PLUMBING or ELECTRICAL
4.    Contents per Carton  itemised list with quantities
Each carton gets:
•    A single label with category + QR code
•    QR links to a PDF or dashboard showing:
o    Carton ID
o    Location (Pallet | Shelf | Bin)
o    Item breakdown with photos
Each pallet can be scanned as a whole or by carton, depending on how deep the user wants to go.
Normal Inventory Workflow
Each item is treated as a standalone record:
Each part (e.g., wallplate, switch, tape) gets its own label.
Each label includes:
Item name
Quantity
QR code linking to its individual record
Full location path: Bulk Storage | Pallet | Shelf 01 | Bin 01
Result: 20 items = 20 labels on the same bin. Accurate, but cluttered and redundant.

Bulk Holding Workflow (My Proposed System)
Grouping multiple items of the same category (e.g., ELECTRICAL or PLUMBING) into a single bin:
User selects a Bin Number and assigns a Category Tag.
Adds multiple items under that category into the bin.
Generates one label for the bin:
Label title: ELECTRICAL or PLUMBING
QR code links to a PDF or dashboard listing all items inside:

Re: Bulk Storage Location

Hi,
Maybe it would be easier if you put together an application specifically based on your 'bulk holding' proposal and then list out the things that aren't working as you'd like them.
From your description, I understand that you want
1.  one or a number of bins
2.  each bin can have one or a number of categories.
But after that, I'm not clear what you're trying to achieve.  Specifically,
3.  how do you identify discrete Parts in the first place - do they have their own QR/Bar codes?  So are you trying to use additional QR/Bar codes to identify WHERE parts are stored?  If so, I don't understand what advantage a QR/Bar code gives you rather than simply using a label with a Bin ID /  Category ID.
4.  there seems a contradiction when you write 'generates one label for the bin' but then you write '...label title - electrical or plumbing'.  So wouldn't that be a label per Category not per Bin?   
Anyway, I'm sure that MVD will be able to handle what you're trying to achieve (most of it sounds like 'standard' functionality).   But as with everything, it all starts with a clear understanding of the process and then making sure that your data schema supports that process.
None of the above is a criticism but the more accurately people understand your issues, the more focused and relevant are any fixes and suggestions that people may offer.
Regards,
Derek.

Re: Bulk Storage Location

Thanks Derek, No I don’t take it as criticism. I appreciate your feedback and value your opinion you obviously know a lot more on MVD than I do and I’m open to any feedback or suggestions. Yes it can be hard to explain what I’m after without making it sound confusing so I have tried to come up with an analogy for comparison.
Think of it as your garage at home you have Car Care Products or Motorcycle parts, ect  you would not have everything listed item by item, but you may throw them all into a bucket and stick a label on it  and call it Car Care Products, Now put a QR Code and link to a Pdf with a List of the Important items and a photo, you or anyone could walk past your 3 boxes of Car Care products scan a label and see what is in the box before getting it down. The Bulk database isn’t to keep track stock or identify discrete Parts it’s a quick glimpse at what is in the Storage Bin.
Bin001 = Car Care Products – Carwash, Sponge, micro-fibre cloths, rags,
Bin002 = Car Care Products = DA Polisher, Polish, Wax, Tyre shine
Bin003 = Motorcycle parts - , Brake leaver, Spare seat, engine oil
Bin004 = Cleaning products, Bleach, Window cleaner, ect 
Bin005 = Electrical
Bin006 = Plumbing
I managed to create and populate the first two Bins successfully (Bin001) (Bin002), But Now having trouble Creating and adding to Bin003. I moved BinImage1 from BinContents to StorageBins so All items that are in that particular bin would share the same image1 but when I attempt to add Bin003 the image saves but No other data from any other fields are saved into BinContents .
Also have problems when I try to post on the forum I have been getting Sorry! The page could not be loaded.
This is probably a temporary error. Just refresh the page and retry. If problem continues, please check back in 5-10 minutes.

Post's attachments

Attachment icon Bulk Bin Location - MVD.zip 535.98 kb, 52 downloads since 2025-10-09 

Re: Bulk Storage Location

Hi,
Your updated project doesn't appear to be much different from the previous one - is it the latest version?
If you have difficulties attaching it will probably be due to the size of images that you've used so you could try removing them just to enable the upload or replace them with smaller / lower quality images.
In general, images, if stored within the application (storefile type) can affect the size of your project's exe considerably and cause it to run slowly;  it is generally recommended that if you are going to use a lot of images, then you should use the 'linkfile' type instead.
Derek.