Warehouse Client
Overview
The merchantCENTRAL Warehouse Client is a native scanner and terminal app (.NET MAUI) for Windows and Android that lets warehouse staff handle all daily warehouse processes directly at the packing station or with the handheld scanner: goods receipt, picking, packing and shipping, returns, complaints, as well as item and inventory lookups.
The app does not talk directly to the database; it communicates exclusively through a secured OData v4 API of Business Central. This API – and the entire administration in BC – is provided by the "AD merchantCENTRAL Warehouse Client" extension.
The Warehouse Client therefore consists of two components:
| Component | Where | Who uses it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC extension (backend) | In Business Central | Administrator | Setup, terminals, license, dashboard, API for the app |
| MAUI client (frontend) | On the device (PC/scanner) | Warehouse staff | Scanning, posting, packing, printing |
License stays server-side
The app itself is free and license-free. Licensing is handled centrally in
Business Central per tenant + module (WAREHOUSE) via the merchantCENTRAL Hub.
See Licensing & Modules.
Feature Scope
The client comprises 11 modules that can be enabled individually per company and per terminal:
| Module (app tile) | Function |
|---|---|
| Goods Receipt | Accept purchase orders, verify items by barcode, post quantities |
| Goods Issue | Pack orders, weigh, create shipping label, post shipment |
| Pick List | Bundle multiple orders and process them as a consolidated pick list |
| Warehouse Activity | Scan and register BC warehouse documents (picking/putaway) |
| Item Lookup | Query stock, bin, price, and item ledger entries by scan |
| Return | Accept returns, inspect, create credit memo or return order |
| Complaint | Capture defects with a document reference and track their status |
| Putaway | Put away goods receipts via bin scan |
| Label Print | Print item and bin labels as ZPL |
| Photo | Photograph documents, damages, or items and attach them to BC |
| Item Weighing | Capture net/gross weight, automatically flag oversized goods |
Architecture
┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────────┐
│ MAUI client (device) │ │ Business Central (Cloud) │
│ • Windows packing station │ │ ┌──────────────────────┐ │
│ • Android handheld │ OData │ │ Warehouse extension │ │
│ │ v4 / │ │ • Setup & Wizard │ │
│ Scanner ▸ Scale ▸ Printer │◀──────▶│ │ • Terminals │ │
│ │ HTTPS │ │ • API pages │ │
│ Login via MSAL/Entra │ │ │ • Dashboard/Cues │ │
└───────────────────────────┘ │ └──────────┬───────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ merchantCENTRAL Hub │
│ (License, Shipping, Print) │
└────────────────────────────┘
- Login: Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) via MSAL. No passwords are stored in the app or in the QR code.
- Shipping: Shipping labels are generated via the merchantCENTRAL shipment connectors (DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS …) – the client only triggers this. See Shipping.
- Printing: Labels go directly via ZPL/TCP to the printer; pack lists as PDF.
Prerequisites
- [ ] merchantCENTRAL Hub (
AD merchantCENTRAL≥ 2.2.0.0) installed and set up - [ ] Module license – at least a demo for the
WAREHOUSEmodule - [ ] Entra ID app registration for the MAUI login (recommended for QR provisioning)
- [ ] Devices: Windows 10/11 (x64/arm64) or Android 7.0+ (API 24+)
- [ ] Optional: ZPL thermal printer (Zebra), TCP/IP scale, USB/DataWedge scanner
Order: Hub first
The Warehouse Client's Setup Wizard can only be opened once the Hub is set up (Platform Guard). Set up the merchantCENTRAL Hub first.
How This Help Is Organized
For administrators (setup in Business Central)
| Page | Content |
|---|---|
| Setup Wizard | Step-by-step through the initial configuration |
| Setup (Reference) | Complete field reference of the setup page |
| Terminals & QR Pairing | Terminals, printers, module overrides, shipping agents, QR provisioning |
| Dashboard & KPIs | Live overview of throughput, utilization, and quality |
| Licensing & Modules | Demo/license, module activation, terminal limits |
| Client Installation & Updates | Distribute, install, and keep the app up to date |
| API Reference | Endpoints of the Warehouse API (for integrators) |
For users (operating the app)
| Page | Content |
|---|---|
| The App at a Glance | Startup, login, pairing, main menu, operating concept |
| Settings & Hardware | Set up scanner, scale, printer, and connection |
| Goods Receipt | Accept and post deliveries |
| Goods Issue | Pack, weigh, label, post shipment |
| Picking | Pick list and warehouse documents |
| Item Lookup | Query stock and item information |
| Returns & Complaints | Process returns and defects |
| Additional Tools | Putaway, label print, item weighing, photo |