Understanding Warehousing Modes in Helm

Helm WMS runs each warehouse in Basic or Full mode. Compare what each mode gives you, check which one you are on and see what happens when you change it.

What the Two Modes Do

Every warehouse in Helm runs in one of two modes. The mode decides how stock is held and which screens your team works with.

Basic: tracks your products and keeps stock in sync across your sales channels. Each product has one stock figure, deliveries add straight to it, and orders are despatched from the order page.
Full: everything in Basic, plus locations and pick management. Stock is held against the shelves, bays and pallet spaces in your warehouse, and pickers are sent to them.

Example scenario: a candle brand packs orders from one stockroom where everyone knows where each scent sits. Basic gives it accurate stock and channel sync without setting up locations. A warehouse picking for several clients across 20 aisles needs Full, so pickers are sent to the right bay and stock can be counted shelf by shelf.

Basic & Full Side by Side

Area	Basic	Full
Stock	One stock figure per product, set in the product's Stock Control section.	Stock held in locations, listed in the product's Stock Locations panel.
Warehouse settings	A Stock Control panel with Available Stock Levels.	Location settings, the Location List, Auto-Archive, Warehouse App Settings, Serial Validation and Batch Settings.
Receiving	Received quantities go straight onto physical stock.	Every delivery line needs a location.
Picking & despatch	Orders are despatched from the order with Despatch Order.	Pick Management, Pick Routines, Pick Totes and Sort Wall Management under Processing.
Moving & counting stock	Set the new total on the product.	Movements and Inventory Checks under Warehousing.
Transfers	Transfer Orders	Transfer Orders, Transfer Picks and Transfer Shipments
Dashboards	Overview, Inventory, Sales, Customer Care and Cost Dashboard	The same, plus Warehouse

The Settings page lists the same options in both modes. What each person sees in the menus also depends on their permission group.

Choosing the Right Mode

Choose Basic when stock lives somewhere your team already knows well and you want Helm to keep stock levels right and channels in sync, without setting up locations.
Choose Full when you need to know which shelf or bay holds stock, send pickers on picks, move stock between locations or count stock location by location.

How to Check or Change Your Mode

Go to Settings and, under Company Settings, click Warehouse. This opens the My Warehouse page.
The Warehouse Mode panel shows Basic or Full. To change it, click the pencil icon to open Change Warehouse Mode.
Choose Basic or Full.
Read any warning Helm shows, then click Change.

Changing from Full to Basic permanently deletes your warehouse data. Before you click Change, Helm shows a warning listing what will be deleted, including the number of picks, movements, locations and deliveries. Agree the change with whoever runs the warehouse before you make it.

Where to Go Next

If You Use Basic Mode

Basic Mode at a Glance: what is different in Basic mode.
Products & Stock in Basic Mode: setting each product's stock.
Receiving Deliveries in Basic Mode: booking stock in.
Despatching Orders in Basic Mode: sending orders out.

If You Use Full Mode

Mastering Stock Locations in Helm: creating locations and assigning stock.
Pick Management: creating and working picks.
Movements: moving and replenishing stock.
Inventory Checks: counting stock.

FAQ

Does changing mode change my Settings?

No. The Settings page lists the same options in both modes. What changes is the warehouse page, the product page and the menus.

What is deleted if I move from Full to Basic?

All warehouse data, including picks, movements, locations and deliveries. Helm lists how many of each will go before you confirm.

If you are not sure which mode suits your warehouse, contact support and the team can talk it through with you.

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