Compose Shipping Structure - Container Handling

This topic describes whether containers, if applicable, must be created manually or whether LN generates the first container automatically. The following Container Handling options are available:

  • Manual
  • Automatic
  • Not Applicable

The shipping container indicates how the shipments are packed for transportation. Multiple containers can be linked to a load. Multiple shipments, (for different ship-to codes) can be linked to one shipping container.

Manual

The creation of shipping containers and the assignment of shipments to shipping containers is a fully manual process. When LN creates a shipping structure, by default all the shipments are added to the node Without Containers in the Compose Shipping Structure graphical browser framework (GBF). You must manually create shipping containers and move the shipments from Without Containers to these newly created shipping container.

Note: 

The Manual option is not applicable for the following Inventory Transaction Type:

  • Receipt
  • WIP Transfer

Automatic

The Automatic option indicates that LN generates a first shipping container and assigns the shipments to this shipping container automatically. LN automatically generates a shipping container during load/shipment building and links this container to the load/shipments.

Note: 

The Automatic option is not applicable for the following Inventory Transaction Type:

  • Receipt
  • WIP Transfer

Not Applicable

The Not Applicable option indicates that the concept of shipping containers is not in use. LN does not generate shipping containers. If the option is Not Applicable, you cannot create shipping containers even manually.

Note: 

The Not Applicable option is not applicable for the following Inventory Transaction Type:

  • Issue
  • Transfer

(Automatic) Linking of Shipments to Containers

Example

The following example scenarios describe how shipments are linked to shipping containers and how shipping containers are created in case no container is available:

  • Scenario 1: Load status = Open

    The number of containers with status Open = one: New shipments must be linked to that container.

    Example

    • Container 1 with status = Confirmed
    • Container 2 with status = Confirmed
    • Container 3 with status = Frozen
    • Container 4 with status = Open

    In this case, new shipments are linked to the container with status Open.

  • Scenario 2: Load status = Open

    The number of containers with status Open = two : New shipments must be linked to node "Without Containers."

    Example :

    • Container 1 with status = Confirmed
    • Container 2 with status = Confirmed
    • Container 3 with status = Open
    • Container 4 with status = Open

    In this case, new shipments are linked to node "Without Containers" to let the user decide which container must be used.

  • Scenario 3: Load Status = Open

    The number of containers with status Open = Zero.

    In this case, a new container is generated and the new shipments are linked to this new container.

  • Scenario 4: Load status = Frozen/Confirmed.

    In this case, a new load and container are generated and the new shipments are linked to this new container.

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