The four basic functions of a warehouse are receiving, putaway, storage, and dispatch. Receiving involves receiving goods from a supplier and verifying that the shipment is correct, while putaway is when goods are moved from the receiving dock to a storage location. Storage involves the organization of goods and maintaining an accurate inventory and dispatch is when goods are picked, packed, and shipped to customers. To help with all of these functions and streamline the process, many warehouses use a Warehouse Management System (WMS). A WMS assists with inventory management, tracking, and optimization of the warehouse operations.