Operations guide · Inbound
Quality Control: QC Hold and Release
Quality control means inspecting received or stored stock before it becomes available. In a WMS this is usually managed with a hold / quarantine status and a release. If the system does not actually block held stock, stock that is assumed to be “quality approved” gets shipped.
What does hold mean?
Held stock may be physically on the shelf, but it is closed to picking, shipping and usually to any movement other than transfers. A location label is not enough; you need a stock status and an authorisation matrix.
- Quarantine location: a separate area plus a separate stock status
- Blocked available area: in the same aisle, but the system will not sell it
- Partial hold: part of a lot or pallet is released, part is blocked
When does stock go on hold?
- Automatically after goods receipt (item or supplier rule)
- Damage, label mismatch, temperature deviation
- A sampling request from a customer or regulator
- A recall or a suspect lot
- Returned goods being taken back into stock
For receipt design, see the goods receipt guide.
Typical QC flow
- Stock is put on hold; quantity and lot/serial are linked
- A sampling or inspection task is created
- The result is recorded (pass / fail / conditional)
- Release or rejection movement
- Posting to available stock, or a disposal/return process
Approval, rejection, conditional release
| Outcome | Stock impact | Define |
|---|---|---|
| Approval / release | Available | Who is authorised, and how is it posted to the ERP? |
| Rejection | Return / disposal / supplier | Physical separation and documents |
| Conditional | Restricted use | Which customers or channels are excluded? |
What the WMS must do
- Block held stock from pick/ship (not just a warning on screen)
- Trace by lot / serial / expiry (traceability guide)
- Authorisation: who puts stock on hold, who releases it
- Timestamps and reason codes
KPIs and next step
Track QC waiting time, hold rate, the number of lines released by mistake and putaway delay after release.
After release, stock is put away; replenishment and the pick face are designed separately.