Here's a guide to help you understand the role each warehouse type plays in the manufacturing process.
Overview
When creating or configuring a factory in DigitBridge, you're prompted to assign three types of warehouses: Product Warehouse, Material Warehouse, and Semi-Warehouse. These fields help DigitBridge route inventory correctly throughout your manufacturing workflow.
This guide defines each type and explains how and when they're used.
Product Warehouse
Where completed goods are stored after production.
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This is the warehouse that receives finished products at the end of the manufacturing process.
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Once a manufacturing job is completed and the Finished Goods Yield action is taken, DigitBridge transfers the finished inventory into this warehouse.
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It's also the source location for inventory in your sales orders, assuming you sell directly from production output.
Tip: In some cases, the Product Warehouse may be the same as your default warehouse used for sales or fulfillment.
Material Warehouse
Where raw materials are pulled from to begin production.
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This warehouse holds the components and materials needed to manufacture goods.
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During the Pick Material step of a WIP job, DigitBridge subtracts inventory from this location.
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It should be stocked with all materials listed in your BOMs (e.g., fabric, gemstones, metal parts, etc.).
Note: Properly stocking the Material Warehouse is critical to ensuring your WIP jobs can begin on time.
Semi-Warehouse
Where in-progress or partially assembled goods are stored.
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This warehouse is used to hold semi-finished inventory between manufacturing steps.
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If your BOM includes a Semi-SKU (a sub-assembly or intermediate product), that inventory will be stored in this location during process transitions.
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DigitBridge uses the Semi-Warehouse to maintain traceability and help manage multi-step or staged production.
Note: If you do not manufacture using semi-finished SKUs or sub-assemblies, this warehouse may see little or no use.
Why These Distinctions Matter
Using distinct warehouse types ensures accurate tracking of inventory throughout the production lifecycle. It improves:
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Inventory accuracy
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Cost tracking and reporting
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Workflow visibility
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Efficiency in materials management
Can All Three Warehouses Be the Same?
Yes.
It's perfectly acceptable to assign the same warehouse to all three fields if your operation doesn't separate materials, semi-finished goods, and final products. However, separating them offers more visibility and control over your inventory.