The use of package definitions

You can use package definitions to generate handling units for items in the following warehouse flows:

  • Receipt
  • Shipping
  • Storage

For further information on creating handling units based on package definitions or without package definitions during these flows, see To maintain handling units and To generate handling units.

In addition, you can use fixed package definitions to define packing structures for items without handling units and specify the inventory structure of an item. For further information on fixed, variable, and mixed package definitions, see Package definitions.

Receipt

You can use a package definition to generate actual handling unit structures at the moment goods are received. If you know how your suppliers pack the goods they send to you, you can define package definitions with handling unit templates that match your suppliers' packing structures, and link these package definitions to the corresponding item and ship-from business partners. For this purpose, you can use variable and fixed package definitions.

These package definitions will be defaulted on order lines and receipt lines originating from the suppliers. On the receipt line, you can change the default package definition as long as the receipt line is not confirmed. When you generate handling units for goods from these suppliers, the handling units are generated as defined in the packing definition.

Note

You can also select settings for automatic generation of handling units for items that are listed on advance shipment notices (ASN). For further information, see To set up automatic generation of handling units from ASNs.

Shipping

You can specify how the goods that go to a particular customer must be packed. If you know how a particular customer wants their goods packed, you can define a package definition with a matching handling unit template and link the package definition to the relevant sales item and ship-to business partner. If an outbound line is created for the item and ship-to business partner, the package definition is defaulted on the outbound line. For this purpose, you can use variable and fixed package definitions.

Storage

You can use handling units to store items in a warehouse, and use a package definition to specify how the items are packed. For example, to store an item you can use the same handling units and package definition that were used to receive the item. If you use a fixed package definition for storage in inventory, the inventory structure of the items is defined, as well.