This document outlines the instructions for setting up the container handling functionality for items stored in WHM controlled warehouses. (This document does not describe the setup for DC1 Warehouse Management related tables and files used in container handling. See Setting up DC1 Warehouse Management for that information. Nor does it describe the setup of route restrictions for outbound shipments. One of the criteria that impacts the choice of the container assigned to an order line is the route information, i.e. items belonging to different route restriction groups cannot be put in the same container. See Setting up the route restriction functionality for that information.)
The container handling setup is flexible depending on your requirements. One or many containers can be defined depending on your business requirements, allowing you to pack your goods in a delivery box container, or a container within a container (i.e. packaging container inside a delivery box container).
If your business only utilizes one size of delivery box containers, you only need to set up the bare minimum, which is outlined under the following sections:
- Set up the higher level controls
- Set up basic data for delivery box containers
You can also set up additional functionality to cater to your business, e.g., packaging containers, pick quality control, zone picking with or without pick separation handling, consolidated picking, container simulation for outbound shipments, and label handling.
Once this functionality is set up, the system will automatically assign the container(s) during pick list print. The container assignment routine checks, e.g., which items have to be picked from which pick location(s) and into which container(s). It will also check, e.g., if the items to be picked need to first be packed in a packaging container before being put into the delivery box container. If the volume of an order or an order line is too large for one container, several containers will be created by the system. The applicable container numbers are linked to the pick list and order line. For more information about what impacts the choice of the container assigned to an order line as well as the process itself, and sample scenarios, see About container assignment.
What this document contains:
- Set up the higher level controls
- Set up the basic data for delivery box containers
- Set up the basic data for packaging containers
- Set up pick quality/quantity control (PQC)
- Set up zone picking
- Set up consolidated picking for containers
- Set up container simulation for outbound shipments
- Set up parameters for label printing
Set up the higher level controls
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| Function controls | Activate the CONTAINR (Container handling) function. When activated, all container handling programs and parameters will be visible allowing you to set up the functionality. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Work with container control file | Complete the following:
Labels |
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| Work with items | For all your items that are to be put into containers, you need to set at least one of the flags for Container assignment denoting the type of item that is to be put into the container. It does not matter what type of items they are, i.e. they can differ as well as be all four types. The system will always choose the default container during creation of the pick list.
For each applicable item, navigate to the last Basic data panel and set the applicable flag(s) to YES for:
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| Panel value control file | For the following panel value groups, the panel values have to be set for the applicable language in the Language table.
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Set up the basic data for delivery box containers
The set-up is as follows:
Note: When the basic data for your delivery box container(s) is set up, attach the applicable delivery box container type in the Dft container type field within the Container control file denoting the container that is to be the default container in the system.
| File | To do |
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| DIS control file | Set up the number series:
Navigate to the Number series panel and set up your container related number series by clicking the Maintain number series function key, or by accessing the Number series menu item. Complete the following field:
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| Work with container types | Container types hold the control parameters for the container. At least one default container type should be added.
Add the applicable delivery box containers and define the following mandatory parameters:
In the following fields define the dimensions for the delivery box container:
In the following field, indicate what types of items the delivery box container is allowed to hold.
The following fields are optional and are used for the external dimensions for outbound shipments:
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| Work with warehouses | For the applicable WHM controlled warehouse, navigate to the Container handling panel.
Default values
Logging
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| Work with items | Item file maintenance, Warehouses panel:
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Set up the basic data for packaging containers
If your business uses packaging containers to place the items inside a delivery box container, the set-up is as follows:
| File | To do | ||||||
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| DIS control file | Set up the number series:
Navigate to the Number series panel and set up your container related number series by clicking the Maintain number series function key, or by accessing the Number series menu item. Complete the following field:
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| Work with packaging container groups | Add the packaging container group code(s) and description(s). The applicable code must be assigned to the item on the Item file maintenance, Basic data panel to denote that the item must first be put in a packaging container and which packaging container to use for the item. It is also linked in the Work with container types file for the packaging container. | ||||||
| Work with container packing material | If the items in the packaging container should be packed with material, add the code(s) and complete the following information:
You assign the applicable code to the item on the Item file maintenance, Basic data panel. If the item has an associated packing material code, the weight and volume of this material will be considered as part of the weight and volume requirement in container assignment either per unit or per container according to the code entered in the Quantity level field in this file. |
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| Work with container types | Add the applicable packaging containers and define the following mandatory parameters:
In the following fields define the dimensions for the packaging container:
In the following field, indicate what types of items the packaging container is allowed to hold.
The following fields are optional and are used for the external dimensions for outbound shipments:
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| Work with items | Basic data panel: Click Next to access the last Basic data panel. Complete the following Container assignment information:
Item file maintenance, Warehouses panel:
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Set up pick quality/quantity control (PQC)
This set-up applies for both types of containers (Delivery box and Packaging containers) and allows you to flag that the assigned container be checked before it is confirmed, i.e. that the correct quantity has been put in the container.
The PQC type can be set on one or all of the following levels. If one of the levels holds a PQC type the container will be flagged for PQC.
- Zone – this applies if you have automated picking in your warehouse, (e.g., conveyor belt or some type of A-frame pick).
- Customer – this applies if the customer always wants to make sure the quantities are controlled.
- Item/Warehouse – this applies if, e.g., you have expensive or dangerous items.
You can also choose to log the PQC activity in the Container log enquiry.
The pick confirmation process differs slightly for a PQC flagged container. The warehouse personnel must first report the quantity and then perform a PQC confirmation.
| File | To do |
|---|---|
| Work with pick quality control types | Register the pick quality control types. |
| Work with warehouse zones | For the applicable zone(s), complete the following field:
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| Work with business partners | For the applicable customer(s), navigate to the last Customer file panel and complete the following field under the Container handling section:
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| Work with items | For the applicable item(s)/warehouse(s), navigate to the last Item file maintenance, Warehouses panel and complete the following:
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| Work with warehouses | If you want the system to log the PQC activity in the Container log enquiry (which can be viewed via the View log option in the Work with containers file), navigate to the Container handling panel for the applicable WHM controlled warehouse(s), and set the Pick quality control flag to YES under the Logging section. The activities that are logged include when the PQC confirmation was started, confirmed and cancelled, and by whom. |
Set up for zone picking
This set-up applies for both types of containers (Delivery box and Packaging containers), and is independent of how you perform the picking, i.e. automatic picking (using a conveyor belt or A-frame) or manual picking (warehouse personnel).
| File | To do | ||||||||
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| Work with pick separation groups | If you want to group the warehouse zones into picking areas, register the applicable pick separation groups. This information is entered in the Work with warehouse zones file. | ||||||||
| Work with warehouse zones | If your containers are picked/packed by zones, complete the following information for the applicable zone(s):
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Set up consolidated picking for containers
This set-up applies for both types of containers (Delivery box and Packaging containers), and is independent of how you perform the picking, i.e. automatic picking (using a conveyor belt or A-frame) or manual picking (warehouse personnel).
When the system creates the containers during pick list print, temporary containers are first created (for internal purposes only). All consolidation parameters as well as item picking codes, and pick separation group for zone picking set-up (if you set up that parameter) are taken into consideration. If any temporary container exists with the same consolidation parameters, a check is performed to see if the new item will fit into that one. If all stipulations are met a permanent container is created. See the Container consolidation section in About container assignment for three scenario examples.
Set-up to put all orders for the customer in the same container
To achieve this, the customer should have Container consolidation set to “By order type option”. Sales orders created for that customer should use the order type defined with Container consolidation set to “By consolidation group”. This means that all orders with order type holding the same “Consolidation group” for that customer will be put in the same container if there is enough space.
Set-up to put all items for one order in the same container
To achieve this, the customer should have Container consolidation set to “By order number”. All items for one order will be put in the same container, i.e. there will be one container per order.
| Consolidate orders on customer level | |||||||||
| File | To do | ||||||||
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| Work with business partners | Navigate to the last Customer file panel for the applicable customer and complete the following fields:
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| Work with container consolidation groups | If you want to be able to consolidate several orders into one container by consolidation groups, add the applicable consolidation groups. The consolidation group must then be attached to the sales order type used for the orders if the order type is set to consolidation “By consolidation group”. If you utilize the order property functionality, and the order property used for orders is set to consolidation “By consolidation group”, you must also attach the consolidation group to the order property. | ||||||||
| Work with sales order types | If you want to allow consolidation of several orders into one container, navigate to the last panel for the applicable sales order type(s) and set the Consolidation field under the Container section to one of the following panel value codes, denoting the type of container consolidation. Valid codes are:
If you entered C (By consolidation group) for the order type, you must also enter the applicable group in the Consolidation group field. |
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| Work with order properties | If the order property functionality is set up, and you want to allow consolidation of several orders into one container based on the order property assigned to the sales order set the Container consolidation option field to one of the following panel value codes, denoting the type of container consolidation. Valid codes are:
If you entered G (By consolidation group) for the order property, you must also enter the applicable group in the Consolidation group field. |
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| Reduce the number of containers by consolidation sequence in the event of separate picking | |||||||||
| File | To do | ||||||||
| Work with item consolidation sequence | This information is used in the Work with warehouses file to define a default sequence, as well as in the Work with items file for a specific item/warehouse. This information is used to sort the items picked by consolidation sequence. Once the items have been sorted, the container assignment function checks if there is still room in the last container for a specific consolidation sequence. If so, the container assignment function will assign the next picked item to the last container that has a different consolidation sequence.
Add the Item consolidation groups/descriptions and the pick sequence for this group. |
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| Work with items | Item file maintenance, Warehouses panelDefine the following:
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| Work with warehouses | For the applicable WHM controlled warehouse, navigate to the Container handling panel and complete the following relevant information:
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| Separate products into different delivery box containers | |||||||||
| File | To do | ||||||||
| Work with item picking category | If you plan on separating picked items by item picking categories in delivery box containers, register the item picking category and description. The item picking category must be entered in the Item/Warehouse file when the Item picking code is set to the panel value for S = Same pick category (i.e. item can be put in a container together with items of the same picking category). | ||||||||
| Work with items | Item file maintenance, Warehouses panelDefine the following:
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| Pick scheduled lines for inbound shipments separately | |||||||||
| File | To do | ||||||||
| Work with business partners | Navigate to the last Customer file panel for the applicable customer and complete the following fields:
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| Clean container optimization for delivery box containers | |||||||||
| File | To do | ||||||||
| Work with warehouses | For the applicable warehouse, define the following:
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Set up container simulation for outbound shipments
Container simulation functionality is available for outbound shipments and is executed using the pre-loaded data queue routine (CASIM – Container simulation). This functionality allows you to simulate how many containers the sales order line (with a status that is < 30) will require for the shipment when the sales order lines are created and attached to the outbound shipment. This is invaluable information to know in advance, allowing you to more accurately plan for the number and size of vehicles needed to deliver the goods. Simulated containers are only visible on outbound shipments. When the pick list is created, the simulated container will be removed, and a real container will be created.
| File | To do | ||||||||
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| DIS control file | Set up the number series:
Navigate to the Number series panel and set up your container related number series by clicking the Maintain number series function key, or by accessing the Number series menu item. Complete the following field:
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| Work with warehouses | For the applicable WHM controlled warehouse(s), navigate to the Container handling panel and set the following field to that applicable:
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| Data queue routines | The CASIM data queue routine comes pre-loaded with DC1 Distribution. If you want to run the container simulation functionality for outbound shipments, i.e. you defined the CASIM (Container simulation) routine Id for the warehouse, activate the pre-loaded CASIM Data queue routine. |
Set up parameters for label printing
The following two types of labels can be printed:
- Container pick labels for the individual items. These are printed automatically when the pick list is printed if the information required is set up (see the relevant information in the table below). One label will be printed for each pick unit and only one pick unit can be stored in one container. Depending on if the Label code is defined in the Label field on the Item file maintenance, Location types, Pick units panel, it will work differently in the system.
- If the label code is not defined and this pick unit will be used, that Pick label for the container will be not printed (neither automatically, nor manually). Pick labels for containers can only be printed when the label code is defined.
- If the label code is defined and this pick unit will be used, that Pick label for the container will be printed automatically during pick list print and could be re-printed manually from the Work with containers file. With pick labels, there is one restriction: the container can store only one pick unit. For example, if there are 10 pieces in one SO line and 5 pick units are used for this, there will be 5 containers.
You can also manually print the container pick labels via the Print pick label option for the container in the Work with containers file.
- Container labels for the container. These can be set up to print automatically when the container is confirmed (see the relevant information in the table below), but you can also manually print the container labels via the Container label printout menu item, or via the Print container label option for the container in the Work with containers file. The information printed on the container label is retrieved from the container, pick list, address and route.
| Container pick labels | |
| Work with labelling codes | Add the applicable labelling codes and specify what information should be printed on the label. |
| Work with items | Navigate to the Location types panel and set the applicable labelling code on the pick unit. |
| Container labels | |
| Work with container control file | The following only needs to be defined if you want to print the container labels automatically. If you do not want to automatically print container labels when the container is confirmed, then they can be printed manually via the Container label printout menu item.
If the Print labels at pick field was set to YES, complete the print parameters. |
For both types of labels |
| Document output formats | For the DSR061 (Container label) and DSR063 (Container pick label) programs, make sure the Format is set to 1 or 2. |