Releasing Options
OVERVIEW
Management of the release of picking slips (for Sales Order or WIP) to the warehouse is fundamental to the DATASCOPE WMS core, as it is in this section that much of the warehouse optimization logic is built. Here, the software
- selects which orders to release,
- releases them in logical picking waves, and
- provides all the stock allocation rules to pick the most optimal inventory to ensure the warehouse is as efficient as possible.
The following methods can be used to release new orders, whether Sales Orders, Jobs, or Replenishment Orders, to the warehouse for picking.
Allocation Rules
Before moving into the different ways to release orders into the warehouse it is important to understand the rules associated with the allocation of stock in the warehouse. DATASCOPE WMS has thirteen specific stock allocation rules that can be applied. Alternatively, a custom rule can be selected and written into the software.
A typical simple rule would be as follows. On the release of the order, take each sales order line and identify if a full pallet should be picked for this line. If so, then allocate the oldest pallet (or most suitably placed pallet or smallest pallet or less than pallet size pallet) and check again. If a second pallet can be allocated, then proceed with this. This pallet would be first taken from a block stack area and then from a normal bulk area of the warehouse. Once the order line drops to less than a pallet quantity, allocate full carton quantities from the break bulk bin locations. Do this from the oldest pallet. Then, once the quantity is less than a carton, allocate it from the products’ dedicated pick face.
The custom rule in DATASCOPE WMS is a powerful tool that allows companies to tailor the allocation process to their specific needs. It enables the creation of complex logic that can be applied to different warehouses and order types or even limits the number of lines to assign to a picking slip. In one of our more complex sites, we have one hundred and fifty-three levels of logic in the reservation process, showcasing the flexibility and depth of customization the custom rule offers.
Now that you understand how allocation rules work, we can move on to the releasing of picking slips (as all of the releasing processes make use of allocation rules)
Sales Order release
This PC-based review screen allows a controller to select specific sales orders or jobs for review and release. The screen uses the advanced Auto Allocation logic, which will automatically apply a set of algorithms to determine the most optimal stock to be picked. Several nice features exist on this screen, such as the replace function, where a user can simply replace a stock code with an alternative product if the ordered stock item is out of stock . Another feature allows the user to reserve stock for an order manually. This is needed in environments such as where a customer requires a product to come from a single lot number or where the warehouse controller specifically wants the stock for this order to come from selected pallets. Comments can also be added to the order. These comments show on various picking and checkout documentation and screens.
Sales Order Wave release
This wave release screen is used extensively and is based on the normal Sales Order Release screen, but this time, the screen first filters all the SYSPRO sales order data to select logical groupings of sales order lines for release. An example of this would be to filter all sales order lines that are due to be released now where the orders are in a specific geographical area and are part of a selected range of routes. The warehouse controller uses these filters to find groupings and then releases multiple picking slips at a time for each grouping. This grouping then typically flows through the warehouse in a wave. The program also allows for grouping customer orders or master customer orders. Here, the warehouse controller can drag up the master customer where the delivery address is the same. All sales order lines for that address are presented as a grouping with a percentage filler rate and total order value. If these groupings are released, the software generates an MSN number (Master Shipment Number) and links each picking slip to that MSN. The software then drives this grouping of picking slips to a consolidation at checkout or in the dispatch area, depending on the software setup. This allows for the optimization of shipping costs.
SYSPRO Panes
In businesses with a large trade counter, it is important that the new orders are released into the warehouse as soon as possible. In these environments, a SYSPRO pick slip releasing pane is installed into core SYSPRO’s sales order maintenance screen. The telesales or trade counter staff load the new sales order into SYSPRO and immediately release the picking slip from the DATASCOPE WMS embedded pane in the SYSPRO screen.