Packaging levels

A packaging level is an integral part of a fixed package definition.

Packaging levels are used for the following purposes:

  • If handling units are used, to define the nodes and the relations between the nodes of a packing structure for a handling unit template.
  • If handling units are not used, to define the way items are packed.

To pack an item, you can use various packing materials. To pack an item such as a can opener, you can use a box, and then put the boxes with can openers on a pallet. Box and pallet are packing materials.

Item, box, and pallet are each represented by a packaging level. Item is level one, box is level two, and pallet is level three. You can define multiple packaging levels for a fixed package definition.

Packaging levels are defined in the Package Definition Levels (whwmd4520m000) session. See To define package definitions.

For each packaging level, you must specify the proportional number of items or packaging items.

Example A

  • Level 1

    Can openers
  • Level 2

    Box type A: contains 200 can openers
  • Level 3

    Pallet type B: carries 100 boxes type A (=20,000 can openers)

To specify the proportional number of items or packaging materials for each packaging level, you must use units related to the packaging materials and the items, respectively.

For each packaging level, you must specify a storage unit. The lowest level is the base unit or inventory unit for the item. Each higher level can contain the previous, lower, level.

To determine the number of items or packaging items that a packaging level can contain, conversion factors between the units of the packaging levels are used.

Example B

Level 1 has storage unit PCS for the item, level 2 has storage unit BXA for the box, which contains 200 pieces, and level 3 has storage unit PLB for the pallet that contains 100 boxes.

Level Unit Unit description
1 PCS Pieces; the base unit or inventory unit for the item
2 BXA Box type A: contains 200 PCS
3 PLB Pallet type B: carries 100 boxes type A (20,000 PCS)

The conversion factor between unit PCS and unit BXA is BXA/PCS = 200/1 = 200.

The conversion factor between unit BXA and unit PLB is PLB/BXA = 100/1 = 100.

All units defined for the packaging levels must have a conversion factor to the base unit of the item. This means that unit PLB must have a conversion factor to PCS in addition to the conversion factor 100 to BXA.

The storage unit at each level must be established in the unit set for the item.

Packaging data

In addition to the unit that you define for a package definition level, the package levels of a fixed packaging definition include the following data:

  • Packaging Item

    The packaging item used to pack the package. Packaging items can be received and stored in a warehouse like any other item. Packaging items can have an assigned location like a normal inventory item.

    Packaging items have a setting that indicates whether the items are reusable. A packaging item is reusable if the Reusable check box is selected in the Packaging Items (whwmd4105s000) session. Reusable packaging items can be returned to inventory after they have been emptied. Reusable packaging items can be physically stored in inventory, but they are not registered in inventory in LN.

  • External dimensions

    The external dimensions of the package.
  • Weight

    The Weight of the package.
  • Location Type

    The pick or bulk location where the package is stored.
  • Package Type

    The package type indicates whether material is stored internally or externally. Internally means that items or packing material is packed inside the package item. For example, boxes inside a larger box. If you put more boxes in the larger box, the overall volume of the larger box does not increase. Externally means items or packing material is put on top of the package item. For example, crates on a pallet. When you add crates, the volume of the pallet increases.
  • Exists for Partial Quantity

    The partial quantity flag is used when picking orders. When a box is picked from a pallet, the pallet still exists in the location with the remaining quantity. Therefore, the pallet still exists for partial quantities. However, for particular types of boxes, when pieces are picked from the box, the box is discarded and the remaining pieces are represented as pieces. The box does not exist for partial quantities.
  • Shippable

    Shippable