The use of 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.

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.

Package ownership

Owners of pallets and containers usually want to get their own property back, and to be able to send their business partners' property back to them, LN tracks the number of pallets and containers that have been received or shipped. Only re-usable packaging items can be tracked.

Re-usable packages are counted into and out of warehouses per business partner.

Multiple package definitions

Because items can be stored or transported in various package sizes, you can link multiple package definitions to an item. For example, if an item can be shipped in boxes of different sizes, different fixed or variable package definitions can be created for this item.