17.2 Mobile Device Menus, Work-Based and Indirect Menu Items, and Inventory Inquiries
Key Takeaways
- Mobile device menus are arranged in a hierarchical tree consisting of root menus, intermediate sub-menus, and executable menu items, with the root menu assigned directly to the warehouse worker profile.
- Menu items function in two mutually exclusive operational modes: Mode = Work (which executes or creates warehouse work headers and lines) and Mode = Indirect (which performs inquiries, logs labor/breaks, or changes warehouse context without work headers).
- Work-based menu items configured with 'Use existing work = Yes' support six distinct dispatching modes, including User directed (operator selects work/LP) and System directed (D365 SCM sequences work by priority).
- Indirect menu items provide critical operational visibility into on-hand stock and tracking dimensions through Item inquiry, Location inquiry, and License plate inquiry.
- Work confirmation setup enforces mandatory physical barcode scanning for Product, Location, License Plate, Quantity, and Batch number, preventing accidental confirmation of default screen values.
17.2 Mobile Device Menus, Work-Based and Indirect Menu Items, and Inventory Inquiries
Quick Answer: In D365 SCM, the mobile scanner interface is built by structuring Mobile device menus into a nested hierarchy assigned to each warehouse worker. Individual menu items operate in one of two modes: Mode = Work (which creates or executes warehouse work headers like picking and putaway) or Mode = Indirect (which performs non-work functions such as Item inquiry, Location inquiry, Change warehouse, or labor tracking via activity and break codes). For work-based operations, the Directed by parameter dictates whether the operator manually chooses tasks (User directed) or the system enforces optimal assignment (System directed), while Custom work confirmation setup mandates physical barcode scanning of items, bins, or batches.
1. Mobile Device Menu Architecture and Tree Structure
The Warehouse Management mobile app presents tasks to workers through a configurable menu hierarchy. Administrators create logical groupings of activities—such as Inbound, Outbound, Inventory, and Quality—and assign appropriate root menus to workers based on their functional responsibilities.
- Navigation:
Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Root Menu: MAIN (Assigned to Worker) │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
│
───────────────────┼───────────────────
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ Sub-Menu: │ │ Sub-Menu: │ │ Sub-Menu: │
│ INBOUND │ │ OUTBOUND │ │ INVENTORY │
└───────┬─────────┘ └───────┬─────────┘ └───────┬─────────┘
│ │ │
─────┴───── ─────┴───── ─────┴─────
│ │ │ │ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌───────────┬───────┐┌──────────┬───────┐┌──────────┬───────┐
│ PO Item │ PO LP ││ Sales │ Cluster│ Item │ Loc │
│ Receiving │ Put ││ Picking │ Pick ││ Inquiry │ Inq │
│ (Work) │ (Work)││ (Work) │ (Work)││(Indirect)│(Indir)│
└───────────┴───────┘└──────────┴───────┘└──────────┴───────┘
Creating and Nesting Menus
- In the Mobile device menu form, click New to create a menu node (e.g.,
INBOUND,OUTBOUND,MAIN). - The form contains two panes: Available menus and menu items on the left, and Menu structure on the right.
- Add menu items to a menu by selecting them on the left and moving them to the right using the arrow controls.
- Nesting Sub-Menus: To nest a sub-menu beneath a parent menu, select the parent menu (e.g.,
MAIN), find the child menu (e.g.,INBOUND) in the left pane, and add it to the structure. This enables clean, multi-level navigation tree structures on the mobile device. - Assigning to Workers: Open Warehouse management > Setup > Worker and populate the Default menu field with the desired root menu (e.g.,
MAIN).
2. Menu Item Modes: Work-Based vs. Indirect
When creating a menu item (Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items), the first and most critical decision is selecting the Mode:
| Operational Aspect | Mode = Work | Mode = Indirect |
|---|---|---|
| Underlying Data Engine | Directly creates, updates, or completes warehouse work headers (WHSWorkTable) and work lines (WHSWorkLine). | Never creates or modifies warehouse work headers. Read-only queries or general ledger labor registrations. |
| Work Creation Process | Configured with Use existing work = No to initiate work on the fly (e.g., PO receiving, movement by template). | Not applicable. Does not use work creation processes. |
| Work Execution Process | Configured with Use existing work = Yes to execute pre-generated work (e.g., sales picking, replenishment). | Not applicable. |
| Primary Business Uses | Inbound receiving, sales order picking, replenishment putaway, cycle count execution, packing, transfer loading. | Item inquiry, Location inquiry, License plate inquiry, Change warehouse, Register break, Activity code tracking. |
| System Impact | Generates inventory transactions, updates reservation status, alters license plate tracking, and triggers waves. | Queries on-hand tables, logs worker timestamp entries, or alters active device session parameters. |
Use Existing Work: Yes vs. No
For menu items configured with Mode = Work, the Use existing work toggle dictates the operational flow:
Use existing work = No: The mobile transaction creates new warehouse work dynamically. Examples include Purchase order item receiving, Load item receiving, Movement by template, and Spot cycle counting. The worker scans external documents or items, and D365 SCM creates work headers on the fly.Use existing work = Yes: The mobile transaction processes work headers that already exist in the system (created previously by wave release, replenishment thresholds, or a separate receiving step). Examples include Sales order picking, Purchase order putaway, and Replenishment picking.
3. Work Dispatching: The "Directed By" Options
When a menu item is configured with Mode = Work and Use existing work = Yes, the Directed by parameter governs how work orders are selected and assigned to the worker:
| Directed By Option | Work Assignment Mechanism | Operator Discretion | Optimal Warehouse Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| User directed | Worker scans or types a specific Work ID or License Plate ID to claim and execute that exact work order. | High; worker chooses which work to execute. | Specialized staging, heavy machinery moves, dock putaway of specific pallets. |
| System directed | D365 SCM automatically assigns the single highest-priority open work order based on work sorting rules and work pools. | None; worker is forced to execute the task assigned by the system algorithm. | High-velocity e-commerce picking, standardized distribution operations, strict FIFO dispatching. |
| User grouping | Worker scans a specific grouping value (e.g., Order number, Shipment ID, or Zone) to aggregate matching work lines into one flow. | Medium; worker decides which group criteria to initiate. | Order consolidation, consolidated carton picking for a specific customer shipment. |
| System grouping | D365 SCM automatically groups open work lines that share configured criteria (such as common pick aisles or zones). | None; system builds and delivers the grouped work batch. | Batch picking across multiple sales orders within the same warehouse aisle. |
| Cluster picking | The worker builds a multi-position pick cluster (e.g., a pick cart with 6 totes) and picks items for multiple orders in a single travel pass. | High initial setup; system guides multi-order picking. | Piece picking, retail apparel fulfillment, small parts distribution. |
| License plate guided | Worker scans a License Plate barcode, and the system automatically resolves and displays the open work linked to that pallet. | Medium; worker selects physical pallet, system provides the work. | Forklift putaway from receiving staging docks or cross-dock transfer staging. |
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ User Directed vs. System Directed Flow │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
User Directed:
[Worker Scans Work ID / LP] ──► [System Validates] ──► [Worker Executes Task]
(Operator controls selection and sequencing)
System Directed:
[Worker Selects Menu Item] ──► [System Evaluates] ──► [Directs Worker to Highest
• Work Priority Priority Pick Immediately]
• Work Pool Filter (Operator has zero choice)
• Directive Sort Order
4. Indirect Menu Items: Activities, Breaks, and Inquiries
Indirect menu items provide critical operational capabilities that do not involve executing warehouse work.
Inventory Inquiries
Inquiry menu items empower workers to inspect warehouse inventory on the fly without exiting to back-office terminals:
- Item inquiry: The worker scans an item barcode or GTIN. The mobile display returns total on-hand quantity, physically available inventory, reserved stock, unit of measure conversions, and a breakdown of locations and batch numbers where the item currently resides.
- Location inquiry: The worker scans a location barcode (e.g.,
BULK-01-02). The mobile display returns every item, license plate, batch lot, inventory status, and physical quantity currently stored inside that specific bin. - License plate inquiry: The worker scans a pallet or container license plate barcode. The display returns the license plate hierarchy, parent container relationships, child inventory lines, batch numbers, and current warehouse location.
Activity Codes and Break Codes
- Activity codes: Configured under
Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Indirect activity codes. Used to track productive non-work warehouse labor, such as operating a forklift battery charging station, conducting safety inspections, or cleaning warehouse aisles. - Break codes: Tracks non-productive labor, such as scheduled rest intervals or lunch breaks. Workers scan the break code to pause labor tracking and log attendance timestamps.
Utility Indirect Menu Items
- Change warehouse: Allows a material handler authorized for multiple facilities to instantly toggle their active warehouse context without logging out of the device.
- Display open work list: Presents a scrollable grid of open work headers matching the worker's security role and assigned work pools, allowing selective work claiming.
5. Custom Work Confirmation Setup
In standard mobile configurations, a worker can confirm a pick or put step simply by tapping OK or pressing the Enter key on the mobile scanner. This introduces catastrophic human error, such as picking the wrong item from an adjacent bin or picking expired batch lots.
To enforce physical verification, consultants configure Work confirmation setup on mobile device menu items.
- Navigation:
Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items > Work confirmation setup(Action Pane).
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Custom Work Confirmation Setup │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
[Worker Arrives at Location]
│
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ 1. Location Confirmation │ ──► Worker must scan Location Barcode
│ (or Check Digit) │ (Proves worker is at the correct rack)
└─────────────┬─────────────┘
│ Validated
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ 2. Product Confirmation │ ──► Worker must scan Item Barcode / GTIN
│ │ (Proves worker grabbed the correct product)
└─────────────┬─────────────┘
│ Validated
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ 3. Batch / Serial Confirm │ ──► Worker must scan Batch / Serial Barcode
│ │ (Proves correct tracking dimension captured)
└─────────────┬─────────────┘
│ Validated
▼
┌───────────────────────────┐
│ 4. Quantity Confirmation │ ──► Worker must scan each piece OR manually
│ │ type verified count (No default accepted)
└─────────────┬─────────────┘
│ Validated
▼
[Step Successfully Confirmed in D365 SCM]
Confirmation Types and Settings
| Confirmation Type | Configuration Options | Operational Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Product confirmation | Barcode scan required. | Forces worker to scan the item's barcode or GTIN before completing a pick. Prevents picking the incorrect SKU. |
| Location confirmation | Barcode scan or Check digit required. | Forces worker to scan the physical barcode on the rack shelf. If check digits are enabled, workers must scan a randomized check digit label, preventing workers from memorizing location codes. |
| License plate confirmation | Barcode scan required. | Validates that the worker picked from or deposited onto the exact license plate specified by the work instruction. |
| Quantity confirmation | Numeric entry or individual piece scan. | Clears the default quantity from the mobile screen. The worker must manually type the count or scan each piece individually. |
| Batch / Serial confirmation | Barcode scan required. | Requires scanning the batch lot or serial number barcode affixed to the product packaging. |
6. Implementation Scenarios and Exam Traps
[!IMPORTANT] Exam Tip — System Directed Sorting Rules: When using
Directed by = System directed, the sequence in which work is dispatched is controlled by Work pools and Work sort order (Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Work sort codes). If an exam question asks how to force pickers to visit picking aisles in strict physical sequence, configure a work sort code based on Aisle and Location, and assign it to the system-directed menu item.
[!WARNING] Exam Trap — Location Check Digits: A Check digit is not the location name. It is a short, distinct code (often 2 to 4 characters) configured on the location master (
Warehouse management > Setup > Warehouse > Locations > Check digit). If an organization wants to prevent pickers from scanning a barcode printed on a picking sheet instead of visiting the physical bin, enable Location check digit confirmation.
[!TIP] Best Practice — Role-Based Menu Design: Never assign all menu items to a single monolithic menu. Create clean, role-based menus (e.g.,
RECEIVING_MENU,PICKING_MENU,FORKLIFT_PUTAWAY,SUPERVISOR_INQUIRIES) and assign them to specific worker groups. This minimizes menu navigation travel time and prevents unauthorized transactions.
A warehouse supervisor wants to optimize order picking efficiency across a distribution center. Rather than allowing pickers to manually browse and select which sales order work orders they wish to pick, the supervisor wants Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management to automatically assign the single highest-priority open picking work order to each picker as soon as they log into the picking menu, based on scheduled ship dates and picking zones. Which Directed by parameter configuration must the consultant select on the mobile device menu item?
A warehouse manager needs to configure a mobile device menu item that allows warehouse floor workers to check the on-hand inventory levels, batch lot numbers, and inventory status of products stored in a specific bin location by scanning the location barcode, without creating or modifying any warehouse work. Which combination of Mode and Menu item parameters must be configured?
A pharmaceutical distributor subject to stringent FDA Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations must ensure that warehouse operators physically verify that they have arrived at the exact designated bin location and scanned the specific physical batch lot label before confirming any picking work. Operators must not be permitted to simply tap the enter key or accept default screen values. How should the functional consultant enforce these physical barcode scan verifications in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management?