Container handling is available for items stored in WHM controlled warehouses allowing you pack your goods in a delivery box container, or a container within a container (i.e. packaging container inside a delivery box container). When the system is set up with the necessary parameters the routine runs by itself.
Containers are automatically assigned based on, e.g., the volume of goods and the volume of the container during pick list creation if the following stipulations are met:
- The CONTAINR (Container handling) function is activated in the Function control file.
- At least one type of container has been set up in the Work with container types file, and a default container type has been defined in the Container control file.
- The item on the sales order line is defined as a Normal, Fragile, Inflammable or Cold storage item.
If logging is set up, you can track entries in the Container log (which is accessed via the Work with containers file) denoting:
- when the container was created (date and time) and by whom
- the pick confirmation activities for the container
- if PQC (pick quality control) reporting is required for the container
Container handling in combination with Outbound shipments
The container handling functionality can be run with or without using the Outbound shipment functionality, but it is advantageous with outbound shipments since that functionality is the connection point to all sales orders that are to be dispatched to the same destination (i.e. customers along the same route). The system will keep track of the number of containers needed for the outbound shipment.
If the container simulation functionality is set up, this will be available for outbound shipments. If the Simulate option flag is set to Automatic the system will immediately simulate how many containers the sales order will require for the shipment when the sales order lines are created and attached to the outbound shipment. If that flag is set to Manual, the simulation functionality must be manually triggered via an option on the outbound shipment.
The number of simulated containers is displayed on the outbound shipment regardless of the type of simulation option that is set up (i.e. Manual or Automatic). 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.
Container confirmation
When confirming the container you can choose from the following routines:
- Work with containers. From this routine you can view all created containers. Information such as weight and volume is displayed both on total container level, and also on included item level. When confirmation reporting is selected from this routine, the confirmation reporting is done per container, and not by pick list.
- Container confirmation.
- Work with pickings. You can use the Container view which can be configured as the start view via a view control, or any of the other views. From the Container view, the confirmation reporting is done per container and not by pick list. PQC (Pick quality control) reporting is only available from the Container view.
- Pick confirmation flow. This routine can be used for containers that are not flagged for PQC (Pick quality control) reporting.
- Work with outbound shipments.
If a pick quality control (PQC) was set up, the assigned container must be checked before it is confirmed, i.e. check that the correct quantity has been put in the container. 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.
Container labels
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. 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, 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.