Configure automatic packaging
Configuration includes the following major steps.
Before you proceed
Make sure the Automatic packaging functionality is enabled in the Enable/disable functionalities (CS100000) window.
1. Create the weight and volume UoMs
Start by compiling a list of the units of measure used in your system to measure weights and volumes for different stock items that are usually shipped via carriers.
Then make sure that all these UoMs are defined in the system in the Units of measure (CS203100) window. If any UoM is not listed among the predefined UoMs, define it. For details, see: Define weight UoMs.
2. Specify the base UoMs to measure weights and volumes
Decide on the base unit of measure (UoM) to be used for weight and the base unit of measure to be used for volume in your system. For more information, see: About units of weight and volume. After you have created the UoMS that you planned to use as the base UoMs for weights and volumes, you use the Inventory preferences (IN101000) window to select these UoMs as the base weight and volume UoMs as follows:
- Go to the Inventory preferences (IN101000) window.
- In the Weight UoM field, specify the UoM to be used to measure the weights of the stock items.
- In the Volume UoM field, specify the UoM to be used to measure the volumes of the stock items.
- Click
.
3. Specify the rule for converting the base UoM to the carrier UoM for weight
Make sure that the conversion rules from the base weight UoM to the UoM (which is equal to the carrier unit of weight) are defined in the Units of measure (CS203100) window.
4. Define the boxes to be used for shipping
To make it possible for the system to make packaging suggestions for sales orders, in the Packaging types (CS207600) window, list all the available boxes with their own weights (which may include the weight of all packaging materials) and their capacities for weight and volume.
Linear dimensions for boxes are optional and for information purposes only. The values are not used in any calculation.
For details, see: Define a box.
5. Create ship via codes and assign boxes
For each delivery service used by your organization, create a ship via code by using the Ship via codes (CS207500) window, specify the freight calculation method and freight rates, and create a list of boxes on the Packages tab. The rates of different carriers or different delivery services for boxes of the same capacity may vary significantly, and some services may be available for only packages with specific weights, volumes, or dimensions. For more details, see: Create a ship via code.
6. Configure stock items for automatic packaging
For each stock item, on the Packaging settings tab of the Stock items (IN202500) window, specify the weight and volume of the base unit and the packaging option that defines how this stock item should be packed:
- By quantity, separately from other items
- By weight, separately from other items
- By weight, not necessarily separately from other items
- By weight and volume, generally with other items
- Manually
For detailed instructions, see: Configure a stock item for automatic packaging.