Note
This app has the Beta label. This means that the app is not fully developed and you may expect performance issues when using this app in the production environment.
Note
The term Batches is used in Xentral for this app, that helps with commissioning, and for Best before management. You can find out more about Best before management in Xentral in the article Batches (Charges).
With the Batches app (Administration > Settings > Fulfillment > Batches), picking can be better controlled. This is possible via the use of rule sets, which further refine the previous rules when creating pick lists. Batches thus extends the logistics process that can be defined in projects.
The preview shows all the picklists that have been created using the various sets of rules.
The Recalculate option can be used to create the various pick lists manually. This can be applied individually for single sets of rules or also for all sets of rules. Picklists that are under the in queue tab are transferred to the Auto Ship logistics process via the Batches process starter.
Pick lists can be created based on various characteristics:
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Creation of pick lists based on quantitative characteristics (weight, volume)
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Creation of picklists based on different logic levels (item > order > picklist)
It is also possible to transfer individual picklists to the queue, using the top item. For this purpose, the single setting must be used. Using the all option, all picking lists from the set of rules are transferred.
The following section explains in more detail how the pick lists are generated step-by-step. For this purpose, the pick rules according to which the pick lists are generated must first be defined in the Batches module as explained below (Batches > +NEW).
The active rules that are to be used for the calculation are then selected in the overview.
The calculation is performed by clicking on Recalculate. After the calculation, the found orders for the selected set of rules are displayed at the bottom of the list. For each order, the number of the respective picking run is displayed in the Batches column. Via the selection buttons Single and All the manual processing of the batches can be performed.
The assembled picking run then lands in the queue where it awaits processing by the process starter. The required process starter is called Batches and this can be called and set via the Process Starter module (Administration > Settings > System > Process Starter).
When this process starter is running, it will process all the pick runs in the queue automatically. It is a bit different if the rule sets are also set to automatic. At the time the rulesets take effect, the process starter would then recalculate everything and automatically push it through auto dispatch. Depending on the project settings, a multi-order pick can then be performed, for example, or the picking list can be printed. For this purpose, Multi-order picking with shipping center, for example, can be selected via the quick selection in the logistic settings in the project (Project > Settings > Logistics/Shipping). In addition, individual settings such as picking procedures can be made. Thus, there is a fully automated picking list generation that supplies logistics with pick lists around the clock.
Several sets of rules can be defined in the Definition tab, and various settings can be made for each set of rules. First, an overview of the defined sets of rules is displayed. Please note that orders can only be included in a pick list once under a set of rules. The selection of the set of rules is made via the ranking and the fulfilled criteria of the individual sets of rules. By setting the checkmark at active, the rules incl. process starter are applied.
Note
The Batches app must not be used for manual auto dispatch, otherwise correct processing of the orders/pick lists cannot be guaranteed.
Various information must be provided for the pick list:
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Designation: The pick list must be named. The designation is used for internal purposes
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Active: The picklist is activated by checking the box
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Comment: A description of the objective for internal purposes can optionally be entered here
The set of rules for the pick list can be defined according to the following properties:
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Number of orders: The minimum and maximum number of orders in a pick list is to be entered here. Here, 0 or an empty field means an unlimited number. If more than the maximum number of orders are ready to be shipped, several picklists will be created
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Number of picklists max: The maximum number of picklists per run is to be entered here
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Piece: The minimum and maximum number of pieces in a picklist is to be entered here. Here, 0 or an empty field means an unlimited number. If more than the maximum number of orders are ready for dispatch, several pick lists will be created
The following section explains in more detail how pick lists are generated step-by-step.
This point is used to control different sets of rules via the Batches process starter. By clicking on +NEW, new pick rules can be defined according to which pick lists are generated.
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Automatic execution: By checking the box and thus activating it, the currently selected set of rules is taken into account by the process starter. The creation of picklists can also be done manually based on the different sets of rules
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Time: Specifies the time from which the process starter considers orders for the pick list of the respective set of rules
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Sequence: Specifies the absolute sequence of all sets of rules when several sets of rules are executed simultaneously, first 1, then 2, etc
The set of rules for orders can be defined according to the following properties:
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Positions: Only orders whose position number is between the specified values are used for the pick list. 0 or empty means unlimited. Only integer values are to be used for the positions
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Weight: Only orders whose total weight of all items is between the specified values are used for the pick list. 0 or empty means unlimited. Floating point numbers can be used for the positions
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Volume: Only orders whose total volume of all items is between the specified values are used for the pick list. 0 or empty means unlimited. Product volumes that are not maintained are not taken into account. These volumes are only calculated as a total to give an idea for the required space. Floating point numbers can be used for the specification
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Fastlane: Fast lane products can be specified by checking the box
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No BBD/Batch: BBD and batch products can be excluded by checking the box
Restrictions can be made for each item:
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Weight: Restricts the pick list to the items whose item weight is between the specified values. 0 or empty field means that there is no limitation regarding the weight. Floating point numbers can be used
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Volume: Restricts the pick list to the items whose item volume is between the specified values. 0 or empty field means that there is no limit on the volume. Floating point numbers can be used
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Piece: Restricts the pick list to the items whose number of pieces is between the specified values. 0 or empty field means that there is no limit. An integer value must be entered
The following filters can be used to select items that must be a mandatory part of the orders in order to be included in the corresponding set of rules.
To select a product, a window can be opened via the blue gear. After that, a click on the plus sign opens a search bar, with which one or more products can be searched.
By checking the Exclude box, the functionality of the filter is changed, i.e. previously selected products with this checkmark are no longer considered in the set of rules.
To select an order with corresponding item properties, click on the blue gear and enter the desired properties by clicking on the plus sign in the search bar that appears.
To select orders with products that have specified free field values, click on the blue gear and select a free field from the drop-down menu by clicking on the plus sign and enter the value.
If you want to filter for orders imported from the specified stores, click on the blue gear and enter the corresponding store in the field by clicking on the plus sign.
If you only want to display the orders that are to be shipped to the specified delivery countries, click on the blue gear. Then click on the plus sign to select the desired delivery country from the drop-down menu.
If you want to filter for the orders that contain items from this category, click on the blue gear and then on the plus sign in the window that appears. Enter a category.
If you want to display only orders that use the specified shipping method, click on the blue gear and then on the plus sign in the window that appears. Then enter the desired shipping method.
If you want to filter for orders that will be paid with the specified payment method, click on the blue gear and then on the plus sign in the window that appears. Then specify the desired payment method.
If you want to display the orders to be sent to customers from the specified groups, click on the blue gear and then on the plus sign in the field that appears. Then enter the desired group.
The shipping settings limit all orders from the selected project, i.e. orders from project A cannot be detected via this set of rules if project B has been stored in the settings.
Only orders from the specified project are displayed via this filter. The logistics and shipping settings are pulled from this project.