This routine includes the process of grouping R/F instructions into R/F batches, and then maintaining these batches. The R/F batch functionality reduces time-consuming tasks such as processing all shipment, movement or stock take instructions individually. Instead, instructions that are related to each other in some way can be processed at the same time.
R/F batches can either be created manually or automatically. When you create an R/F batch you define what resource, or resource group, will be used in the processing of the batch. You also define a priority code for the batch that indicates in which order the batches should appear in the batch selection panel. You can also define a handler for the batch.
This routine deals with manually created R/F batches. For information about automatic batch creation, see About working with automatic batch creation.
R/F instructions
An R/F batch consists of one or several R/F instructions. Suggestion lines for the different types of instructions are created through different routines in DC1 Distribution and DC1 Warehouse Management. The actual instructions are created when the batch is created. The types of instructions that can be included in a batch are Shipments, Put away, Replenishment, Stock takes and Empty pallets.
Note: Shipment and movement instructions can be combined into one R/F batch whereas stock take instructions and empty pallet instructions must be handled separately.
Shipments
Shipment instructions refer to the action of picking stock from a location within the warehouse and place it in the shipment area. Suggestion lines for shipment instructions are created automatically when you print the pick list for a specific sales order in the Work with sales orders routine or when you print pick lists for several sales orders from the Print sales order pick lists menu item.
Put away from bulk
Suggestion lines for put away instructions are created when you print a put away list using menu item Put away from bulk suggestion creation. The created put away list suggests a movement of stock from a bulk location to an overstock location or a pick location.
Replenishment
Suggestion lines for replenishment instructions are created when you create a replenishment suggestion using the Create replenishment suggestion item assign menu item. The created replenishment suggestion results in one pick and one put instruction. In this case, the stock is moved from an overstock area to a fixed pick location.
Stock takes
Suggestion lines for stock take instructions are created automatically when you print the stock take list using the Print stock take list menu item. There are two types of stock take that can be performed:
- Item count
Using this stock take you perform a standard item count, meaning that you can make both location and item selections to define which locations/items should be included in the stock take. - Location count
The location count generates instructions to count selected locations. If area-specific selections are made for Warehousing items, activity cannot be performed in the locations that are included on the count list.
Empty pallets
Suggestion lines for empty pallet instructions are created automatically when the last item stocked on a pallet has been sold. Instructions are, however, not created if all items stocked on the pallet are picked at the same time. The instructions are used to collect the empty pallets. Note: Keep empty pallets must be set to YES in Work with warehouses.
Instruction/Batch status codes
The R/F batch header status corresponds to the highest line status less than 40.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | The R/F batch has been created on the iSeries, but has not yet been viewed on the R/F terminal. |
| 10 | At least one line in the R/F batch has been viewed on the R/F terminal, but no lines have been confirmed. This might be the case if the R/F terminal user scrolls through the R/F batch instructions, or cancels the R/F batch processing without updating. |
| 15 | A line from the R/F batch is currently being viewed on the R/F terminal. |
| 18 | At least one line in the R/F batch has been confirmed on the R/F terminal, but was left open for additional updates. This could be the situation when the confirmed quantity is less than the instruction quantity, or when you click Update, leave open on the R/F terminal to leave the R/F batch open. |
| 20 | At least one line in the R/F batch has been confirmed and closed. This could be the situation when the confirmed quantity equals the instruction quantity or when you click Update on the R/F terminal to close the R/F batch line. |
| 30 | At least one item has been partially put away, for example to a shipping location or in a warehouse location. The pick instruction from which the put away instruction was created will have the same status. |
| 40 | At least one item has been fully put away. The pick instruction from which the put away instruction was created will have the same status. |
| 99 | This is a temporary status that is assigned to the R/F batch while it is being created on the iSeries. |
Enquiries and printouts
- Instruction status table enquiry
- Staging location table enquiry
- Batch creation templates enquiry
- Batch rule table enquiry
- Resource allocation table enquiry
- Resource groups enquiry
- Instruction status table printout
- Staging location table printout