Perform Package-Based Picking and Picking Capacity Split

This document explains how you use package-based picking and picking capacity split.

Package based picking supports the following:

  • Picking multiple pick lines into packages or picking full packages
  • Pick reporting controlled via packages
  • Display of the package information related to the picking process.

Picking capacity split supports the following:

  • Dividing picking tasks (picking lists or wave picking lists) into reasonable units of work.

Outcome

Based on the packages, you have released, managed, and reported a picking list or a wave picking list is created.

Based on the defined picking capacity figures, you have split a picking list or wave picking list into several picking lists.

Package-based picking enables you to pick packages that are already packed or to pick individual items that make up a package. It is also useful for companies that have the following requirements:

  • Large volumes of split picks
  • Large volumes of full-pallet picks or full-package picks.

Picking list capacity split is a function that separates the different picking list lines into reasonable picking workloads. Several capacity fields control how the capacity is split.

Picking list capacity split is useful for companies that have high picking volumes.

Using package-based picking and picking capacity split affects the following data in M3:

  • Picking capacity - MPICAP (MWS175)
  • Stock zone - MITARE (MMS040)
  • Warehouse equipment - MITEQU (MWS023)
  • Item per warehouse – MITBAL (MMS002)
  • Pack parameters – CSYPAR (CRS706); Headings for the (MWS423/H)
  • Dispatch policy – MHDIPO (MWS010)

Before you start

The settings in Settings for Package-Based Picking and Picking Capacity Split must be made.

Follow these steps

Create Capacity-Based Picking List

For this activity, you must have an order line in status 33-'Allocated' or status 23-'Partially allocated'. The delivery should also be released for allocation.

  1. Start 'Delivery. Open Toolbox' (MWS410). Select option 32-'Release for picking'. The status is raised to 44. This activity can also be triggered automatically by the auto start job (MWS970) based on the event of the current date and time being past the transaction date and time.
  2. Select option 11-'Picking Lists'. 'Picking List. Report' (MWS420) is started. Here you can display the picking list (or picking lists, if the picking list was split) based on settings for picking list capacity.
  3. If you want to display the calculated values, select option 27-'Plan pickers'. This starts 'Picking List. Plan Pickers' (MWS415). The E panel is displayed. Under the group line 'Picking Capacity Split Information' you can view all information about the split.

    The information on the E panel first shows the capacity values that you defined in 'Picking List capacity. Open' (MWS175), and then the calculated values that caused a picking list to be split. By comparing these values, you can determine why the picking list was split and which capacity field caused it.

Create Capacity-Based Wave Picking List

For this activity, you must have an order line in status 33-'Allocated' or status 23-'Partially allocated'. The delivery should also be released for allocation.

The activity also requires that you have activated Pick Resource Planning on the dispatch policy in field 090 'Pick resource planning' in (MWS010).

  1. Start 'Delivery. Open Toolbox' (MWS410). Select option 32-'Release for picking'. The status is raised to '44' and the delivery is released for pick resource planning. This activity can also be triggered automatically by the auto start job (MWS970) based on event of the current date and time being past the transaction date and time.
  2. Start 'Picking List. Plan Pickers' (MWS415). Make sure that the fields on (MWS415/P) are set according to the required settings. You can either select the deliveries that should be part of one wave and select option 19-'Crt wav + rel'. Alternatively, you can select F19-'Crt wav + rel' to include all deliveries to be part of the wave.
  3. Start 'Picking List. Report' (MWS420) and set sorting order 2='By picking wave'. Here you can display the wave picking list (or wave picking lists, if the wave picking lists were split), based on the settings for wave picking list capacity.

Display Package Information

You can display the package information in several ways.

  • Display Packages for Picking List

    For this activity, you must have completed advanced pack reporting, either manually or automatically.

    Start 'Picking List. Report' (MWS420). Select a view that includes requested fields that visualize the package information for each picking list.

    The information that can be displayed includes number of packages, packaging, and package number. If the picking list consists of several packages, some of the fields are left empty.

  • Display Packages for Picking List Line

    'Picking List. Report Lines' (MWS422) In (MWS420) you select option 11-'Picking list lines'.. Sorting order 4 (Packages) is displayed by default. Here you can view the package detail lines instead of the pick lines.

    In (MWS420) The subfile contains package-related information such as packed quantity, package number, and packaging.

    Note: The presentation mode when using package-based picking displays package details instead of pick lines. One example of one pick line of 100 pieces packed into four packages of 25 pieces each would display four lines in MWS422/B, not one.
  • Display Packages for Wave Picking List Line
    1. In (MWS420) you select option 12-'Wave line' from sorting order 2 (By picking wave). 'Picking List. Report Wave Line' (MWS421) is started. In (MWS421) you select option 12-'Picking list package details'. (MWS422) is started. Sorting order 5 (Packages by wave) is displayed by default. For each wave line you here can view the package detail lines instead of the pick lines.
    2. The subfile contains package-related information such as packed quantity, package number, and packaging.
      Note: The presentation mode when using package-based picking displays package details instead of pick lines. One example of one pick line of 100 pieces packed into four packages of 25 pieces each would display four lines on (MWS422/B), not one.

      For information about how to use wave picking lists, see Wave Picking.

  • Display Picking List Lines for the Package

    In (MWS420), select option 15-'Packages'. 'Delivery. Connect Packages' (MWS423) is started. Select option 12-'Picking list lines'. (MWS422) is started. Sorting order 6 (Packages only) is displayed by default. Here you can view the picking list lines for the package.

    The subfile contains package-related information such as packed quantity, package number, and packaging.

Report Package-Based Picking

You can report the package-based picking in several ways. Package-based pick reporting means that you perform the reporting using package information to identify and process the actual reporting.

  • Report Picking by Package
    1. In (MWS420), select option 15-'Packages'. (MWS423) is started.
    2. Depending on the type of reporting you want to do, select the requested option for a specific package number. All options will report all package detail lines included in the package according to the selected option.

      You can select from option 17-'Move to packing location', 18='Move to docking location', or 16='Confirm issue'. The two Move options will move package content to the location defaulted according to the settings defined on (MWS422/P).

      All reporting options can be used for the package being reported and below the package level. For example, if a pallet package on level 000 is moved to dock, all included boxes on level 001 will also be reported as moved to dock. Any packages on subsequent levels (002, 003, etc) must be reported separately.

      Select a view including the field ORPISS Pick status. This status field will indicate how far the package has been reported in the picking process.

  • Report Picking by Package Detail
    1. In (MWS420), select option 11-'Picking list lines'. (MWS422) is started.
    2. Depending on the type of reporting you want to do, select the requested option for a specific package detail line. All options will report the individual package detail line according to the selected option.

      Each package detail line can either be the full pick line or, more usually, part of a pick line. For example, one pick line can consist of 100 pieces and each package detail line can then consist of 25 pieces each. This results in four package detail lines in (MWS422/B). What you report is each individual package detail of 25 pieces.

      If a pick line is fully packed, the transaction quantity is protected. If parts of a pick line are packed, the packed part is protected regarding the transaction quantity, while the unpacked part is open for manual changes. So, no partial reporting is allowed for a packed detail line.

      You can select from option 17-'Move to packing location', 18-'Move to docking location', or 16-'Confirm issue'. The two Move options will move package content to the location defaulted according to the settings defined on (MWS422/P).

  • Report Picking in Alternate U/M

    For this reporting option, you must have made settings for picking reporting in alternate U/Ms on (MMS002/G) according to Settings for Package-Based Picking and Picking Capacity Split.

    In (MWS420), select option 11-'Picking list lines'. (MWS422) is started.

    For each pick line or package detail line, the transaction quantity is displayed in the alternate U/M defined in (MMS002/G). If the conversion between basic U/M and alternate U/M results in a number of decimals that is greater than the allowed value, the display is done in the basic U/M.

    If an unpacked pick line is valid, a partial report can be made in the alternate U/M. For packed pick lines, the transaction quantity is protected.

    For details about how to perform the reporting, see 'Report Picking by Package Detail'.

  • Report Pick and Pack per Picking List

    In (MWS420) select option 14-'Pick and Pack'. (MWS422/E) is started.

    Depending on whether the pick line is packed, the processing follows two paths (see below). Perform the type of reporting you want to do. The pick line or package detail line will be reported to the state you have selected. After reporting is performed, the next pick line or package detail line will be displayed according to the sort order of the picking list.

    If a pick line is not packed, the full pick line is displayed and will then be packed according to how (MWS422/E) is entered. The pack reporting is always performed first and the pick reporting as the second step. If you want to continue to pack in packages that are not full, clear the field 'Pack in new'. If you want to continue to pack in a new package number, select the field 'Pack in new'. After each pack operation is performed, (MWS422/E) is redisplayed, showing the packed information.

    If the pick line is packed, either as described above or prior to starting option 14 in (MWS420), the packed information is displayed and the package detail line. Either select F17-'Move to packing location', F18-'Move to dock location', or Enter-''Confirm Issue. Depending on the option you select, the package detail line will be reported accordingly.

  • Report Pick and Pack per Wave Picking List

    In (MWS420) select sorting order 2-By Picking Wave' and option 34-'Wave Pick/Package'. (MWS422/E) is started.

    See the previous description for reporting per picking list. The processing for a wave picking list is more or less identical to picking list processing and reporting. The only difference is that pick lines or package detail lines will be displayed for the full wave sorted according to the selected sort order.

Manage Package Information

  • Package Alias

    On the (MWS423/H) panel you can enter three different package aliases.

    A package alias number can be used to identify a package with an ID that is different from the internal M3 package number. For example, a forwarder can assign your internal M3 package number with an ID used internally by the forwarder. By updating the ID in (MWS423/H), you enable tracking the package using the alternative ID.

    The headings for package aliases are user defined and defined for each division in 'Settings – Packing' (CRS706).

  • Move Package Content
    1. In (MWS420), select option 15-'Packages'. (MWS423) is started. Select option 37-'Move contents'. (MWS426/A) is started, prompting for a To package.
    2. Enter the 'To package' with the package in which the content should be moved. Use F4 to view the possible packages. Press Enter.
      Note: You can only move the selected package content to another package inside the same delivery. If you want to move packages between deliveries, use option 36-'Move from' (MWS423).
    3. (MWS426/A) is redisplayed, providing additional information about the From package and To package. Press Enter to confirm the content move.

      Details are provided for the two package numbers to visualize the content of both packages before you perform the move.

  • Define a Package as Open, Committed or Full

    In (MWS420), select option 15-'Packages'. (MWS423) is started. Open the E panel and select an alternative in the 'Package status' field. The status selected will affect how manual and automatic pack reporting is performed.

    If package status is 00 (Open package) is selected, you are always allowed to pack additional items (pick lines) into the package.

    If package status is 80 (Committed package) is selected, the automatic pack reporting will never add items (pick lines) into the committed package. The manual pack reporting will issue a warning message if items (pick lines) are packed into the package, but you can override the warning. A committed package should be regarded as still inside the warehouse but physically unavailable to influence. For example, it might be out on the conveyor being physically packed.

    Full packages in package status 90 never allows for adding more items (pick lines) into the package, regardless of whether the pack reporting is done manually or automatically. A full package status should be used when the rules in 'Item. Connect Packaging' (MMS053) still allow more pick lines to be added but the package is physically full.