Flexible template - virtual handling units

The bottom-level node of a handling unit template can be virtual. This means that the quantity of bottom-level handling units and the quantity of items contained in them can vary, but the total item quantity of the bottom-level node cannot exceed the quantity of the parent node.

Consequently, the quantity of bottom-level handling units and items can differ every time handling units are generated based on the template during the shipment process. If the bottom-level node of a handling unit template is virtual, LN selects the Virtual check box in the Handling Units (whwmd5130m000) session for the generated bottom-level handling units.

The advantage of using virtual handling units is that fewer handling unit templates are requited to create efficient handling unit structures for different ordered quantities, provided that the generated bottom-level handling units need not exactly reflect the handling units actually used.

Note

Restrictions such as multi-item and single reference apply to both virtual and nonvirtual nodes. See the example in Sequencing.

Setup

To set up virtual bottom-level handling units:

  1. Define a variable package definition. See To define package definitions.
  2. For the bottom-level node of the handling unit template, select the Virtual Node check box in the Handling Unit Templates (whwmd4160m000) session. Because the bottom node is virtual, specifying an item quantity and a packaging item quantity is not allowed.
Note

The Virtual Node check box is unavailable for validated package definitions. If the package definition is validated, you must undo the validation before you can select the Virtual Node check box.

Example of non-virtual template node

This handling unit template is defined for package definition PCKD10:

Parent NodeNodeVirtual NodePackaging ItemPackaging Item QuantityItem Quantity in Storage UnitAllow Multi Item for Shipping
01Pallet10Selected
12Crate20Selected
23ClearedBox6120Cleared

 

These outbound order lines are created:

OrderOrder lineItemQuantityPackage definition
SLS00110101120PCKD10
20101230
30101310

 

OrderOrder lineItemQuantityPackage definition
SLS02210101120PCKD10
20101220
30101320

 

For order SLS001, this handling unit structure is generated:

LevelNodeHandling unitMulti-itemItemQuantity
1PalletHU001Selected
2CrateHU002Selected
3BoxHU004Cleared101120
3BoxHU005Cleared101220
3BoxHU006Cleared101210
2CrateHU003Selected
3BoxHU007Cleared101310

 

Because a Box cannot contain more than 20 items according to the template, item 1012 is put in two Boxes. The second crate and Box HU007 is created because a crate cannot contain more than three Boxes, and the Box level is single-item. In everyday practice, the picker is bound to put all boxes in one crate anyway.

For order SLS022, this handling unit structure is generated:

LevelNodeHandling unitMulti-itemItemQuantity
1PalletHU008Selected
2CrateHU009Selected
3BoxHU010Cleared101120
3BoxHU011Cleared101220
3BoxHU012Cleared101320

 

Example of virtual template node

If the handling unit template of package definition PCKD10 has a virtual bottom-level node, these handling unit structures are created for orders SLS001 and SLS022:

SLS001
LevelNodeHandling unitMulti-itemItemQuantity
1PalletHU013Selected
2CrateHU014Selected
3BoxHU015Cleared101120
3BoxHU016Cleared101230
3BoxHU017Cleared101310

 

Because the Box-level is virtual, LN can put as many items in a Box as required to build an efficient handling unit structure, as long as the maximum quantity allowed for the Crate node is not exceeded. Consequently, 30 items 1012 are all put in Box HU016 and all Boxes can be put in one Crate. Items 1011 and 1013 cannot be put together in one box because the Box level is single item.

SLS022
LevelNodeHandling unitMulti-itemItemQuantity
1PalletHU018Selected
2CrateHU019Selected
3BoxHU020Cleared101120
3BoxHU021Cleared101220
3BoxHU022Cleared101320

 

The use of a virtual bottom-level node results in a more efficient handling unit structure for SLS001, whereas the resulting structure for SLS022 is identical for both templates. If the virtual bottom level node is not used, an additional package definition is required to create equally efficient handling unit structures for both orders.