--- title: Storage Locations description: Storage locations and sub-locations allow configurations of physical storage locations for supplies. --- [Skip to content](https://help.labsymplified.com/storage-locations#main-content) [More support](https://help.labsymplified.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![labsymplified\_logo\_footer](https://help.labsymplified.com/hs-fs/hubfs/labsymplified_logo_footer.png?width=184&height=50&name=labsymplified_logo_footer.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [More support](https://help.labsymplified.com/kb-tickets/new) Welcome to Lab Symplified Knowledge Base. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Lab Symplified Knowledge Base](https://help.labsymplified.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Inventory Management](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en) 3. [Data Management](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#data-management) # Storage Locations  Storage Locations and Sub-locationsOverview Storage locations and sub-locations are master data records, maintained in the Data Management section, that describe where inventory items are physically stored within the laboratory. When these records are assigned to a product, the item's storage can be viewed and filtered from the inventory table, making it straightforward to identify where each supply is kept. Storage is organized across two levels. A **storage location** represents a primary physical area, such as a room, bay, or freezer. A **sub-location** represents a more specific area contained within that location, such as a rack, shelf, or cell. Sub-locations are associated with a parent location, allowing the storage structure in the system to mirror the physical layout of the laboratory. This structure provides several capabilities: - A single location can contain multiple sub-locations (for example, *Room 105* containing a *−20 Freezer* and a *−35 Freezer*). - The same sub-location name can be reused under different locations, so identical equipment in separate areas can be represented without conflict. - A single supply can be associated with more than one location and sub-location when it is stored in multiple places. - When storage is assigned to a product, selecting a location automatically limits the available sub-locations to those belonging to that location, keeping assignments accurate. - Both storage location and sub-location are optional at the product level. **Note:** Storage tracking supports two levels only — a location and a sub-location within it; no further levels are available. Storage records indicate *what* is stored *where*, not *how much*. Quantities are not tracked at the location or sub-location level. --- Storage Locations ### Purpose A storage location identifies a primary physical storage area in the laboratory. It serves as the top level of the storage structure and can hold one or more sub-locations beneath it. Once assigned to a product, a storage location becomes a filter criterion in the inventory table, allowing all items stored in a given area to be listed together. Locations can be created and maintained independently, and can be used on their own without sub-locations where a single level of detail is sufficient. ### Creating a Storage Location 1. Navigate to **Data Management \> Storage Locations**. 2. Select **Add location**. 3. Enter the location name (for example, *Room 105*). 4. Save the location. The location is now available for adding sub-locations and for assignment at the product level. ### Managing Storage Locations - Existing locations are listed on the Storage Locations page, where each location can be expanded to display the sub-locations it contains along with a sub-location count. - The search field can be used to locate a specific location by name. - A location can be edited or removed from its row actions. When a location that is in use is removed, a warning is displayed. On confirmation, the location's sub-locations and any related product assignments are cleared. --- Storage Sub-locations ### Purpose A sub-location identifies a specific area within a storage location, providing a second, more precise level of detail beneath the location. Sub-locations are associated with a parent location, which means the same sub-location name can be reused across different locations without conflict — for example, two identical freezers in different rooms can each contain a *Rack 1*. Sub-location names are unique within their own location. Like locations, sub-locations become a filter criterion in the inventory table once assigned to a product. ### Creating a Sub-location 1. Navigate to **Data Management \> Storage Locations**. 2. Locate the storage location the sub-location belongs to (for example, *Room 105*). 3. On the selected location, select **Add sub-location**. 4. Enter the sub-location name (for example, *−20 Freezer*) and save. 5. Repeat to add additional sub-locations to the same location (for example, *−35 Freezer*). > **Tip:** When two areas contain identical equipment, the same sub-location names can be created under each location. Each set remains distinct because it belongs to its own parent location. ### Legacy Sub-locations Sub-locations that are not associated with a location appear in **Unassigned** (**legacy)** category. A legacy sub-location can be moved into a location at any time to establish the association by utilizing “Move to location” button. Once associated, every product already assigned to that location and sub-location reflects the relationship going forward. --- Assigning Storage to a Product Storage locations and sub-locations are applied to inventory items through the product configuration within Item Information page. 1. Open Data Management \> Item Information. Open product configuration from 3 dots at a item level. 2. In the Lab Specific Configuration go to the **Storage Locations** section, select a **Storage Location** from the dropdown. 3. Select a **Storage Sub-location**. Only the sub-locations that belong to the selected location are listed. 4. To associate the product with more than one location, select **Add Location** and choose an additional location and sub-location. 5. Save the configuration. The product is then linked to each selected location and sub-location and can be filtered by any of them in the inventory table. Because both fields are optional, a product may be saved with a location only, or with no storage assignment at all. --- What's Changed | Before | Now | | --- | --- | | Storage locations and sub-locations existed as separate lists with no relationship. | Sub-locations can be nested within a specific location. | | Sub-location names had to be distinct across the entire system. | The same sub-location name can be reused in different locations. | | A supply could be associated with only one location and sub-location. | A supply can be associated with multiple locations and sub-locations. | | Location and sub-location filters operated independently. | Selecting a location automatically narrows the sub-location options to that location. | --- Impact on Existing Configurations For environments already using storage locations and sub-locations, this enhancement is optional and non-disruptive. Existing locations, sub-locations, and product assignments continue to function as before, and no changes occur automatically. - Existing locations appear as they did previously. - Existing sub-locations appear as legacy items, with no location association. - Legacy sub-locations can be moved into a location whenever the new structure is adopted. - Once associated, every product already assigned to that location and sub-location reflects the relationship going forward. - [Inventory Management](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Data Management](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#data-management) - [Inventory](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#inventory) - [Orders](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#orders) - [Quality Management System (QMS)](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#quality-management-system-qms) - [Notifications](https://help.labsymplified.com/inventory-management?hsLang=en#notifications) - [Electronic Logs](https://help.labsymplified.com/electronic-logs?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://help.labsymplified.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [General](https://help.labsymplified.com/general?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Management](https://help.labsymplified.com/general?hsLang=en#user-management) - [Scanners](https://help.labsymplified.com/general?hsLang=en#scanners) - [Label Printer](https://help.labsymplified.com/general?hsLang=en#label-printer) - [Signing In](https://help.labsymplified.com/general?hsLang=en#signing-in) - [Mobile Drive](https://help.labsymplified.com/mobile-drive?hsLang=en) - [Parental Consent](https://help.labsymplified.com/parental-consent?hsLang=en) - [Releases](https://help.labsymplified.com/releases?hsLang=en) [![labsymplified\_logo\_footer](https://help.labsymplified.com/hs-fs/hubfs/labsymplified_logo_footer.png?width=184&height=50&name=labsymplified_logo_footer.png "labsymplified_logo_footer")](https://help.labsymplified.com/?hsLang=en) Copyright © 2026, LabSymplified Inc