RF load tasks overview

This section is an overview on how to perform RF load tasks.

An RF load task is a task to load a container or pallet onto a truck. RF Load tasks are generated during order allocation. If a shipment order has a load ID associated with it, then a load task is created for each case ID on the order. Because RF load tasks are created during allocation, the tasks are created before the items are picked and moved to the outbound lane. Generally, the final move for a loading task is from the outbound lane to the door.

WM uses this routine to distribute load tasks to users:

  • After selecting the RF Loading option, enter a combination of the area, ID, route, or door. This is the criteria to filter and dispatch the tasks. If you enter only the area, the application uses the following routine to distribute tasks:
  • The application first determines whether the available load tasks have a departure time. Departure time is a date and time field on the Load Maintenance screen.
  • If the load tasks have defined departure times, the application retrieves the tasks for the route with the earliest date and time stamp.
  • If the load tasks do not have departure times, WM uses the date and time stamp to create the tasks to determine priority. The load tasks for the route with the earliest task departure date and time are selected first.
  • If you specify an ID, the application retrieves the load task for that ID. The next suggested load task would be for a task associated with the same route or stop of the most recently completed ID.
Note: If the scanned ID is not within the Load Sequence parameters as defined on the Load Maintenance screen, the application displays an error message stating that the pallet ID scanned is not valid for loading.
  • If you enter a route number, the application retrieves the available load tasks for the Route.
  • If you enter the door ID, the application retrieves the available load tasks for the route assigned to the door. If multiple routes are assigned to the same door, and each route has pending tasks, the application retrieves load tasks for the earliest departure time.

    Tasks are also dispatched in the manner defined in the Load Sequence field on the Load Maintenance screen. The default setting is Reverse Stop Sequence.

You can modify the Load Sequence. Once a load ID has been started (Load ID Status = In Process), you can change the load sequence only to the following:

  • No Restrictions
  • Stop Group

    You can override the ID retrieved by the application, but only if the new ID represents an outbound movable unit on the same stop, and the system setting option for RF Loading Override is Selected.

Note: If the Load Sequence field is set to No Restrictions, the alternate ID scanned by the loader need not be on the same stop as the suggested ID. The No Restrictions setting overrides the global system setting option for RF Loading Override.

Live loading is another feature available. This gives you the ability to directly load a license plate on a trailer as part of the pick process. Instead of staging the product in front of the door for loading later, the operator will place the license plate directly onto the trailer as part of the process when the license plate is moved to the dock. This feature can be activated using a system setting since some operations prefer to load trailers as a separate step after the picks have been staged.