Product documentation
Advanced Warehouse Management - Setup

Warehouse and location setup 

Location directives 

Strategy Free location near fixed location

Warehouse management > Setup > Location directives

In the bottom form part, the location directive actions with an appropriate strategy can be set up. 

A new strategy is added to the standard put away strategies: Free location nearby fixed location.

When the user selects put away strategy “Free location nearby fixed location”, and presses Edit query, a different table is shown: “Temporarily table location priorities”. This is the set of locations with the search priority that are feasible based on:

In the query, the user can optionally limit the locations, e.g. restrict to a location profile, location type, level and / or zone.
The standard checks, e.g. on free location volume and allowed maximum weight are also executed.
The strategy can only be selected for work type Put.

For performance reasons, the location search priorities on the two diagonal lines left and right of the fixed location, are equal. So one might expect a location 1 position to the right on level 4, but Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations could select 2 positions to the left on level 5 that has the same search priority.

Advice:

 

Replenish to dynamic locations

Warehouse management > Setup > Location directives

Select work order type Replenishment. In the bottom part, in the location directive action strategy specify "Free location without incoming work".  

Dashboard and overview

Dashboard template

Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Dashboard template 

One or more dashboard templates can be set up, e.g. one dashboard template per warehouse, or one dashboard that provides an overview over multiple warehouses, or one dashboard that gives a detailed overview of all remaining outbound activities.

For each dashboard template, the content of one to twenty columns can be defined.

Each column can include one or more combinations of warehouses and work classes.

Field Description Remark
Work overview template ID

Unique code for the work overview.

Setup multiple dashboard templates, e.g. a code per warehouse, or multiple warehouse, or specific code for all outbound work.

Description

Show work

The default information that is displayed in this dashboard template. Use the radio button on the dashboard to switch to a different view.

Column number

User defined column 1..20. Note that the columns To be released, Packing, Total and Estimated end time are always displayed.

Description

Enter a short description of the column name, e.g. Putaway, Repl, Count, Pick

Warehouse

Warehouse that is included in the calculation for this dashboard cell

Work class ID

Work class that is included in the calculation for this dashboard cell, e.g. for the column Pick, enter the work classes Sales, SO pick and TransfOut

Work class

Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Work classes

Extra settings per work class.

Field Description Remark
ABC calculation ABC calculation active? Advised setup: only activate picking related work classes. ABC classification

Remain locked by user

If set, and the worker cancels the work where the last closed line has type pick, the user lock remains on the work. This prevents others from getting this work system directed in case of erroneous cancellation. Emergency unlock via PC.

On the work details, the button Reset user will blank the locked user after the user remained locked when cancelling the work.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Average cost per work class

Average cost per resource per hour. Valid for this combination of work class and warehouse. For small value added logistics activities, like customer specific stickering, cutting or sawing material, define a specific work template that uses a specific work class.

Field Description Remark
Warehouse Warehouse

Work class ID

Work class

Average cost per work class

Average cost per hour for one resource executing work in this work class and warehouse. Used in Advanced Warehouse Management workspace, tab Worker productivity 

Workspace Warehouse Management

 

Cycle counting

Warehouse management > Setup > Cycle counting > Cycle count plans

On the cycle count plan, a new field Work class ID is added.

If this field is empty, the standard cycle count work class ID from the warehouse management parameters is used.
If this field is filled, and a cycle count plan is processed which creates open cycle count work, this work class ID will be filled on the created cycle count work lines.

Thus, guided cycle counting work within a cycle counting plan can easily be separated per mobile device menu item. E.g. if the ground pick locations can be counted without specific equipment, but the higher locations can only be counted with a reach truck, create two different cycle count plans with separate work class ID. For system directed mobile counting, create two separate mobile device menu items, one for each cycle count work class. On the warehouse dashboard, the different types of open counting work can be displayed in separate columns.

Field Description Remark
Work class ID Standard work class identfication for cycle counting Suggestion: use a separate work class for counting work on locations that require a reach truck.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Cycle counting > Cycle count thresholds

On the cycle count threshold, a new field work class ID is added. Thus, guided cycle counting work that is generated below the threshold can easily be separated per mobile device menu item.

If this field is empty, the standard cycle count work class ID from the warehouse management parameters is used.
If this field is filled, and a cycle count threshold triggers new cycle count work, this work class ID will be filled on the created cycle count work lines.

If the counting work is not processed immediately, expensive products or regulated items must be counted by authorized people only, and higher locations can only be counted with a reach truck. Create different cycle thresholds with separate work class ID. For system directed mobile counting, create separate mobile device menu items, one for each cycle count work class. On the warehouse dashboard, the different types of open counting work can be displayed in separate columns. 

Field Description Remark
Work class ID Standard work class identification for cycle counting Suggestion: use a separate work class for counting expensive or regulated products. 

 

Labor standards

Warehouse management > Setup > Labor standards

Warehouse Management enables the calculation of estimated times for cycle counting. The estimated times are visible in the dashboard, and in the analytical work space. Labor standards for cycle counting must be set up for Work type Count. A comparison between estimated and actual counting times is visible in the Advanced Warehouse Management work space.

For work order type, Cycle counting, it is possible to define labor standard lines for work type Count. E.g. if counting takes 2 minutes per location, labor measurement type Transactions, estimated work per hour 30.00.

 

Waves

Warehouse management > Setup > Waves > Wave process methods

A new wave process method optimizeRoute is added when the methods are regenerated.

Field Description Remark
optimizeRoute After the work is created, this wave process method applies two different heuristics (Largest Gap and Aisle by Aisle) and selects the best sequence, i.e. the shortest travel distance.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Waves > Wave templates

Add the step optimizeRoute as last step to the work template.

 

Cluster picking

 Important

Warehouse Management system directed cluster picking will be deprecated end of 2024. Instead, use the standard system directed cluster picking: setup a mobile device menu item of type Work - existing, and directed by System directed cluster picking. In the System directed work sequence queries the current aggregation fields on the work header will still be available. A red warning text is a added to the Add to cluster dialog. Contact HSO.
   

Cluster profiles

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Cluster profiles

Extra fields will be deprecated end of 2024:

Field Description Remark
System directed Paperless cluster picking. Assign a cluster by the system. In the mobile device menu item, specify that existing work is Directed by Cluster picking. If system directed is switched on for the linked cluster profile, the worker gets new cluster picking work automatically on the mobile device.

Optimize pick route

The optimal route of clustered multiple works can be different from the optimal routes of the separate works. This optimization recalculates the work line field sort code.
This only applies to the warehouse zone groups where route optimization is switched on, and takes into account the zone group optimization sequence.

The field "sortCode" must be setup as sorting criteria. This field determines the sequence in which the work lines are presented to the mobile device worker.

If this sorting is not setup, it is not possible to add works to a cluster on the PC.

Mobile device menu item 

Use standard system directed cluster picking instead.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items

If the connected Cluster profile is System directed, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations will assign a cluster to the mobile device user.
It is possible to see a summary info screen on the mobile device when starting the cluster.

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu items > Work confirmation setup

In the work confirmation setup, it is also possible to enforce confirmation of the product in cluster picking. Standard Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations  does not support product confirmation in cluster picking.

 

Dangerous goods

Warehouse management > Setup > Packing > Dangerous goods

For each combination of UN class and packing group, setup a dangerous goods ID. The ID is generated automatically based on UN number + packing group, but can be overridden.  

Field Description Remark
UN number UN number incl. characters UN E.g. UN 1266

Packing group

Group for packing

E.g. I = high danger, II = medium danger, III = low danger

Dangerous goods ID

Combination of UN number and packing group

E.g. UN 1266 II

Class

ADR hazard class

E.g. 1 = explosives, 2 = gases, 3 = flammable liquids, 4 = flammable solids, 5 = oxidizing substances, 6 = toxic and infectious substances, 7 = radioactive material, 8 = corrosives, 9 = misc. dangerous goods 

Classification code

ADR subdivision

Hazard / remarks

Hazard identification number

E.g. 33 = highly flammable liquid

Labels

Applicable hazard labels

E.g. 3 = flammable liquid

Point factor

Number of ADR points per inventory unit

Proper shipping name

If needed with the technical name in brackets

Special provisions

Numeric codes of provisions that have to be met

E.g. carriage prohibitions, exemptions from requirements, explanations concerning classification, additional labelling or marking conditions.

Text 1

Default text

E.g. UN1238, METHYL CHLOROFORM, environmentally hazardous, 6.1 (3,8), I, (C/D)

Text 2

Alternative text, or additional text

Transport category

Transport category that determines the multiplier for ADR point calculations

E.g. 1 = multiplier 50, 1* = multiplier 20, 2 = multiplier 3, 3 = multiplier 1. Information purpose only. The ADR point calculation is based on the field point factor.

Tunnel code

Tunnel restriction code

E.g. (D/E)

CAS number

Chemical Abstracts Service number

 Important

ADR point calculation is based on liters and kilograms. In the released product, specify the dangerous goods ID, and a dangerous goods unit. This allows different released products with varying packing sizes (e.g. bottle with 500 ml and bottle with 750 ml) with the same dangerous goods ID. The unit conversion between each and liter (or kg) must be specified for the released product. On the table with dangerous goods ID, fill in the appropriate point factor (points per liter or points per kg).
   

 

Mobile device

Warehouse app field names

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Warehouse app field names

Create default setup. This will insert the new field name "AWHS - Extra text".

 

Warehouse app field priority

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Warehouse app field priority

If there is an existing setup of assigned fields, make a screenshot of the current setup.

Create default setup. This will insert the field name "AWHS - Extra text" as priority 15.

 

Mobile device menu list

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu list

With the new data inquiries, the number of mobile device menu items tends to be large, and their position in the menu structure is not always transparant.

The new mobile device menu list displays an overview with

In this form the user can easily filter on a mobile device menu item and see in which menus this is included, and directly go to the mobile device steps that are adjusted.

  

Packing station

Packing profile

Warehouse management > Setup > Packing > Packing profile

Field Description Remark
Container ID from carrier

Use container ID number sequence specified on the carrier. If no number sequence is defined, the container ID is taken from the Warehouse management parameters.

Setup a TMS number sequence, and define this number sequence for container IDs on the carrier.

Multi container close

Applies to packing station, button Containers

Sort packing lines

By default sort the packing lines in the packing station in this sequence

Filter scanned LP

When switched on and a target LP / tote is scanned on the packing station,only display the packing lines for this LP, not for the other target LPs 

Use this if the shipment is picked from vaious warehouse zones, and will packed per zone, and consolidation of packages is done later in the process.

 

Container packing policy 

Warehouse management > Setup > Containers > Container packing policies

Field Description Remark
Print label Determines if a label must be printed upon closing the container on the packing station. The shipping label is stored as license plate label and can be printed on a ZPL printer through document routing.

Use container ID as label ID

If a label is printed, keep the container ID as label ID

When printing a shipping label in the packing station, table WHSLicensePlateLabel.LabelId can be filled with the track and trace label ID. According to the same logic as the pick label print policy. 

User ID mandatory

In the packing station the user ID must be filled before closing a container.

The user ID will be stored on the license plate label, can be printed and can be used for selection in the document routing. This setting is only possible if the shipping label is printed.

Close multiple containers

On the packing station, through the button Containers all open containers can be closed in one step, with or without automatic gross weight calculation

Multi-select option instead of the Close container dialog. This speeds up the container closing process. Only possible when manifest does not apply.

 

If there are multiple physical packing stations and multiple packing workers that can use all these stations, there are two scenarios:

 

Container types

Warehouse management > Setup > Containers > Container types

Scenario: for transportation purposes and ASN information to the customer, it is often needed to register not only the weight but also the height of a (mixed) pallet that is packed on a packing station.

Field Description Remark
Enter container height When closing a container of this type, the height can be entered (optionally or mandatory) in the closing dialog

 

Outbound sorting template / Put-to-wall (beta)

Warehouse management > Setup > Packing

 Note

This topic is about Outbound sorting template type Wave demand. Not all scenarios are covered. The proposed way of working is to pick goods for many sales orders to a roll container or similar, and at the sorting area, put the goods in a position per shipment. Sort verification through position scan. Create work on position close. Auto-close sort position. Auto pack sort position. Generate container ID.  
   

In the standard functionality for put to wall, the worker has to scan a position and a license plate. This license plate is then used as container and cannot be re-used anymore! Therefor plastic totes with fixes license plates are not supported.

 

In Warehouse Management the license plate and container ID can be generated, based on the internal number sequence or the carrier container number sequence.

Field Description Remark
Generate container ID Generate container ID upon position assignment In the outbound sorting position assignment, the license plate is inserted automatically. When the position is closed, a container with the same ID is generated.

Container ID from carrier

Use container number sequence specified on the carrier. If no number sequence is defined, the number sequence is taken from the Warehouse management parameters

Described in Labels

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Work > Work templates : Sorted inventory picking work

After the position is closed, sorted inventory picking work can automatically be generated per container ID. When this work exists, the worker can physically pack and label the carton.

In the work template, line 2 use the work line custom step DYSDWAValidateSortPosition to validate that the goods are taken from the correct position.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Document routing > Pick label print policy

To print the shipping label with destination address, shipment data and weight, setup a pick label print policy for the work template for sorted inventory picking - line 1.

One label per work line. Advice is to switch on Use container ID as label ID.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Document routing > Document routing and layout

Define a document routing for work order type Sales or Transfer issue to print the shipping label in the layout of the carrier.

 

Warehouse management > Setup > Mobile device > Mobile device menu item

In Warehouse Management  a mobile device lookup "Ready for packing" type Indirect - Data inquiry based on the work table 

(WHSWorkTable: Work status = Open, Work order type = Sorted inventory picking) shows all "Pack from wall" work including relevant information like sort position, volume, gross weight, number of items and longest length.

Create a mobile device menu item type Work - existing, system directed "Pack from wall". 

 

Released products

Product information management > Products > Released products > Fast tab Warehouse

Extra fields and standard fields with a specific function in Warehouse Management :

Field Description Remark
Dangerous goods ID Dangerous goods ID that identifies the combination of UN number and packing group. E.g. UN 1266 II Dangerous goods

Dangerous goods unit

If filled, the inventory quantity will be converted to liter or kg. E.g. for a 750 ml bottle, in the unit conversions (inter-class), specify that 1 each = 0.75 liter. If the point factor on the dangerous goods ID is 3.00, e.g. 8 bottles will be converted into 6 liter, and this accounts for 18 points.

Dangerous goods

Picks per period

Number of picks per period. Period length is defined in the warehouse management parameters.

ABC classification

ABC frequency

ABC class based on number of pick transactions

ABC classification

ABC volume

ABC class based on cubic velocity (volume)

ABC classification

ABC weight

ABC class based on total picked weight

ABC classification

Quantity per pallet space

Number of inventory units per pallet space used to forecast the number of required pallet spaces. E.g. if 50 eaches are stored on 1 pallet, enter 50. If 50 eaches are stored on a half pallet, enter 25.

Work space Warehouse Management

Pack size category ID

Indication of physical characteristics. In Warehouse Management on the work headers, the different pack size categories are summarized. E.g. work with odd size items can easily excluded when the optimal cluster picking candidates .

Work list, cluster picking

 

Parameters

Warehouse management parameters

Warehouse management > Setup > Warehouse management parameters

Extra fields and existing fields with a specific function in Advanced Warehouse Management :

Field Description Remark
LPs: Enable license plate validation Should a check be performed when a new LP is scanned (to avoid scanning e.g. an item barcode instead of a LP) Create new LP on mobile device and PC

LPs: Minimum licenseplate length

New license plates ar not allowed if shorter than this length

Create new LP on mobile device and PC

LPs: Maximum licenseplate length

New license plates ar not allowed if longer than this length

Create new LP on mobile device and PC

Work: Dashboard refresh time (minutes)

Time in minutes for automatic refresh in the warehouse dashboard. If not filled, refresh manually.

Work: ABC classification period length

Period length in the ABC classification (days) Used for determining the average number number of picks per period. The period for an item cannot start before the very first pick transaction. If no value is entered, the whole selected time frame will be regarded as one period.

Advised: 30 days

Mobile device: note type

Notes of this type are displayed in the AWHS extra text on the mobile device

Setup the default app field and app field prios

Release sales orders: Backorder (later than confirmed)

Priority for releasing late shipments

Release to warehouse strategy

Release sales orders: Backorder (at least 1 packing slip)

Priority for backorders

Release to warehouse strategy

Release sales orders: (on time)

Priority for orders that are on time

Release to warehouse strategy

Print management: Print labels to screen

Press the button Default generation URL  http://api.labelary.com/v1/printers/8dpmm/labels/8x6/0/

Display ZPL label on screen

LP label setup: Customer requisition

Customer requisition field mapping on license plate label

Customer requisition and or customer reference on the sales order can be printed

LP label setup: Account name

Account name field mapping on license plate label

Contact person name or customer name can be printed

LP label setup: Account name  (work labels)

Account name field mapping on license plate label generated from a print work line

Customer name or contact person name can be printed

 

 

Master planning parameters

Master planning > Setup > Master planning parameters

Extra fields:

Field Description Remark
Days demand forecast - actual free space

The demand forecast date may be on the first of the month, but the actual sales orders during that month will create empty pallet places gradually. This setting assumes that locations remain occupied for a number of days, e.g. for 15 days on average. 

Best practice: half the forecast period bucket

Work space Warehouse Management

Master plan for pallet space forecast

Based on the net requirements for this master plan, the required space forecast can be analyzed.

Work space Warehouse Management

 

Shipping carrier

Warehouse management > Setup > Shipping > Shipping carriers

Field Description Remark
Container ID number sequence

Nummer sequence will be used on the packing station for this shipping carrier on the shipment when this is activated on the packing profile

This refers to the TMS number sequence which includes a check digit. Setup is explained in the section Labels

 

Advanced warehousing parameters (TMS)

Transport management > Setup > Advanced warehousing parameters

Defaults can be specified for the appointment type, appointment status reference type and the maximum status for purchase orders to be displayed in the lookup.

Field Description Remark
Display purchase orders until status Purchase order status that determines which purchase orders are shown in the lookup E.g. open order

Appointment status

Default appointment status

E.g. firmed

Reference type

Default reference type

E.g. purchase order

 

Data entities

In order to be able to export and import data related to this module the following data entities have been added/modified:

New entities

Field Description Remark
Advanced Warehousing parameters DYSDWAAWHSParametersEntity

Cross aisle

DYSDWACrossAisleEntity

Dangerous goods

DYSDWADangerousGoodsTableEntity

Location layout

DYSDWALocationLayoutEntity

Warehouse ABC classification overview

DYSDWAABCClassificationOverviewEntity

Shipment dangerous goods

DYSDWADangerousGoodsShipmentTableEntity

Warehouse blocks

DYSDWAInventLocationBlockEntity

Warehouse zone group setup

DYSDWAZoneGroupEntity

Work heuristic results

DYSDWAWorkHeuristicEntity

Work overview template

DYSDWAWorkOverviewTemplateEntity

Work overview template classes per column

DYSDWAWorkOverviewClassesEntity

Work overview template column

DYSDWAWorkOverviewColumnEntity

Work sub aisles

DYSDWAWorkSubAislesEntity

Average cost per work class

DYSDWABIAvgWorkClassCostEntity

Carrier zipcode range

DYSDWACarrierZipCodeEntity

 

After a new installation of the solution the data entities need to be refreshed to add the new data entities.

Work spaces > Data management > Tile Framework parameters > Form Data import / export framework parameters > Tab Entity settings > Button Refresh entity list

 

Modified entities

Field Description Remark
Cycle counting plans WHSCycleCountingPlanEntity

Cycle counting thresholds

WHSCycleCountingThresholdEntity

Sales order lines

SalesOrderLineEntity

Sales orders

SalesOrderHeaderEntity

Warehouse cluster profiles

WHSWarehouseClusterProfileEntity

Warehouse management parameters

WHSWarehouseManagementParametersEntity

Wave template

WHSWarehouseWaveTemplateEntity

 

 

On existing entities that have been modified, the target mappings need to be refreshed.

Work spaces > Data management > Tile Data entities > Form Target entities > Button Modify target mapping > Generate mapping

 

Cleanup functions

Warehouse management > Periodic tasks > License plate labels cleanup

Described in Labels. Section License plate labels cleanup.

 

Warehouse management > Periodic tasks > Load / unload appointments cleanup

Described in Load / unload appointments

 

Warehouse management > Periodic tasks > Shipment statistics cleanup

Described in Shipment staging status.

 

See Also