Define Pack Planning Parameters

About this task

Pack planning is the process of determining the parameters used when performing containerization. Containerization is the process of using standardized containers for the storage and transport of loose units from a warehouse. The containers used for containerization are defined in Catalog Management. For more information about defining containers, see the Catalog Management: Configuration Guide.

If you pack during picking, the results of containerization are used during picking. If you pack after picking, the results of containerization are used during packing.

The actual instance of when the packing should be performed, is specified as part of Task Type configuration in pick planning. This decision affects the way in which containerization logic works. However, the parameters that govern the logic remain the same regardless of when packing is performed.

Containerization logic is governed by inbound compliance, pack strategy, and node and enterprise level parameters. This section describes the various node and enterprise level parameters governing containerization.

For more information configuring the task type to set up the instance of picking (pack during picking, or pack after picking), see the topic, 'Defining Task Types'.

For more information about Pick Planning, see "Defining Pick Planning Parameters".

To define pack planning parameters:

Procedure

  1. From the tree in the application rules side panel, choose Packing > Pack Planning. The Pack Planning window displays.
  2. Enter information in the applicable fields. Refer the following table for field value descriptions.
    Table 1. Pack Planning Window
    Field Description
    Limit number of SKUs per case to Enter the maximum number of SKUs that can be packed into a case.
    Do not mix in a case Note: The items with classification purpose ‘Container Category Classification' are never mixed in a container, irrespective of the Do Not Mix constraints settings.
    Customer PO # Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different customer purchase order numbers to be packed into the same case.
    Department Code Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different department codes to be packed into the same case.
    Item ID Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different item IDs to be packed into the same case.
    Mark For Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different mark for addresses to be packed into the same case.
    Product Class Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different product classes to be packed into the same case.
    Unit of Measure Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different units of measure to be packed into the same case.
    Do not mix in a pallet Note: The items with classification purpose ‘Container Category Classification' are never mixed in a container, irrespective of the Do Not Mix constraints settings.
    Customer PO # Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different customer purchase order numbers to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Department Code Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different department codes to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Item ID Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different item IDs to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Mark For Select this field if you do not want SKUs for shipments with different mark for addresses to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Product Class Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different product classes to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Unit of Measure Select this field if you do not want SKUs with different units of measure to be packed onto the same pallet.
    Overpack product under following conditions  
    Overpack when containerization category is in You can specify the containerization categories that you want to allow overpacking for. For more information about containerization categories, see the Catalog Management: Configuration Guide.

    By default, five container category classification purposes are provided to perform containerization based on multiple item attributes. You can configure these container category classification purposes to be associated with the item attributes, for example, StorageType, ItemType, ProductLine, and so on as per your requirements.

    You can reserve a container for the items belonging to all the containerization categories that are configured in the system.

    Choose of the container category classification purpose that you want to perform overpacking for. The List of Values pop-up window displays. Select the blank line and choose a containerization category from the drop-down menu. When you have finished adding containerization categories, choose OK.

    And case volume is less than Enter the volume that the case volume must be less than, for overpacking to occur for the specified containerization categories.
    Containers  
    Use only following containers You can specify the specific containers you want to use for this packing plan.
    Parcel Shipments and Other Shipments Tabs You can specify the parameters for both parcel shipments and other shipments. The fields on both tabs are identical.
    Shipping Container Marking  
    SCM not required Select this field if a shipping container marking is not required on a container.
    SCM required without content Select this field if a shipping container marking is required on a container but does not have to describe the contents.
    SCM required with content Select this field if a shipping container marking is required on a container with all applicable information about the contents.
    SCM Label Level  
    Do not apply SCM If you selected ‘SCM not required', this field is automatically chosen.
    Apply SCM on all cases If you specified that shipment container markings are required, choose this field if you want to apply them on cases only.
    Apply SCM on all shipping units (cases or pallets) If you specified that shipment container markings are required, choose this field if you want to apply them on cases and pallets.
    Settings for pack after pick process
    Containerization is done by system Select this field to indicate that containerization is performed by the system.

    If this field is not selected, containerization must be done manually.

    Note: When containerization is performed manually, the constraints that you specify in this window are still applied.

    This field is to be selected if you want the cartonization to be carried out after Picking.

    Only for items with containerization category in You can define containerization settings which are applicable only for items belonging to the specified containerization category. When an item does not fall under a specified containerization category, then the containerization for that item is done manually.

    By default, five container category classification purposes are provided to perform containerization based on multiple item attributes. You can configure these container category classification purposes to be associated with the item attributes, for example, StorageType, ItemType, ProductLine, and so on as per your requirements.

    You can reserve a container for the items belonging to all the containerization categories that are configured in the system.

    Choose of the container category classification purpose that you want to include in the containerization settings. The List of Values pop-up window displays. Select the blank line and choose a containerization category from the drop-down menu. When you have finished adding containerization categories, choose OK.

    Containerization is performed Choose ‘Upfront during wave release' if you want containerization to be determined when the system is releasing a wave.

    Choose ‘While packing, upon request' if you want containerization to be determined at the time of packing when requested by the packer.

  3. Choose .

Results

Over pack is specified for items that have case packs that are smaller than regular outbound containers and can be packed with other items. This reduces the handling charges for the shipment.