Outbound activities for in-house packages
Allocation
When goods are allocated from stock, goods that are included in a package in stock can also be allocated. Automatic allocation of packages in stock is available through setup in 'Item. Connect Stock Location Type' (MMS057).
Limitations
Automatic allocation of packages in stock requires single-item packages in stock. Fixed quantities per package are recommended. Setup in (MMS057) is required at the item level. Automatic allocation is based on balance IDs rather than packages. Therefore, single-item packages are required to ensure allocation of the entire package contents. When a manual allocation is performed in 'Allocation. Perform Detailed' (MMS121), we recommend that you use an inquiry type for a package or container that also displays the outermost package.
Because allocation is based on balance IDs rather than packages, the view in (MMS121) does not show whether the package contains additional items beyond the displayed balance ID.
Soft allocations can also be used. During pick reporting, the picked package can be specified manually. This process can be performed only from the A panel of 'Picking List. Report' (MWS420) or through MHS850MI.
Transfer packages in stock to package on delivery
If in-house package management is used, a package in stock can be transferred to a package on a delivery during the dispatch process. The point at which the transfer occurs depends on the dispatch process design.
Automatic packing
If goods are hard allocated before the picking list is printed, packages in stock can be automatically transferred to packages that are connected to a delivery when the picking list is printed.
- Parameter 555, Allocation-Based Packing, is activated in 'Dispatch Policy. Open' (MWS010).
- The Packing Report Method value in (MWS010) is set to 4.
- The entire package contents are allocated to the delivery.
When these conditions are met and a picking list includes an item that uses container management method 7, the system verifies that all balance IDs that are included in a package in stock are allocated to the same delivery and picking list. The package is then transferred to the delivery.
For items that use other container management methods, or when a package in stock is partially allocated to a delivery and picking list, goods are packed according to the rules in 'Item. Connect Packaging' (MMS053). If no packing rules exist in (MMS053), the allocations are not packed automatically. Packages in stock can also be transferred automatically to packages on a delivery by selecting option 22='Autopack' in (MWS420). This option triggers a process in which allocated packages in stock can be transferred to packages on a delivery. This process is available when the Packing Report Method value is 2, 3, or 4, and when Allocation-Based Packing, parameter 555 in the dispatch policy, is activated.
Pick Reporting
When working with packages in stock, we recommend that pick reporting be performed per package rather than per picking list line. To use package-based picking, a package and its contents must be hard allocated and connected to a delivery. It is also possible to pick a package whose contents are soft allocated and allow the picker to select the package during picking.
For a delivery number and picking list, a package in stock can be specified to perform hard allocation and transfer the package to the delivery. Pick reporting to a pack location, dock location, or issue from stock can also be performed.
- 76-'Confirm Package in Stock Issue'
- 77-'Move Package in Stock to Pack Location'
- 78-'Move Package in Stock to Dock Location'
If the package contents match the delivery, the package contents are hard allocated and the package is connected to the delivery.
This process is also performed by using the AddPickByPackStk transaction in MHS850MI.
Limitations
- An in-house package should not be repacked on a dispatch flow.
- An in-house package should be transferred to a delivery using an auto pack option.