Once the automatic packaging functionality has been configured, you can use it when
you prepare a sales order for shipping or create a consolidated shipment.
Because the calculation of packages is resource-intensive, the system calculates
packages only when the user requests this calculation.
As you are preparing a sales
order in the Sales orders (SO301000) window and adding items,
the system calculates the weight and volume of the sales order.
Once you specify the
shipping information on the Shipping settings
tab, including the ship via code of the integrated carrier, the shipping terms,
and the shipping zone and save the order, the system determines the set of
boxes and the weight and volume of each package.
The system uses an heuristic algorithm (one that is not guarantee to find the best
set of boxes, but quickly finds a satisfactory set for these purposes) and the
following information to make suggestions about the boxes required for the order:
- The lists of boxes assigned to each ship via code, with the maximum weight
and volume each box can hold and the weight of the box (which must include
the weight of any packaging material).
- For each stock item in the order, the quantity in base units, the weight and
volume of the base unit of the item, and the option instructing the system
how to pack this item.
To view carrier charges, you can click the Shop for rates
button on the Shipping settings tab.
When you click
Shop for rates, the system performs the following
actions:
- Sends the information about the calculated packages (box ID, weight, volume,
linear dimensions, declared value, and COD) to the carrier system
- Requests rates from the carriers and calculates carrier charges for the
order for each ship via code associated with the carrier
Based on the system's suggestions, you can select the ship via code with lowest cost
for the order.
In some cases, you may need to edit the packages manually.
If you select the
Manual packaging check box, you can adjust information
about the boxes and their contents to match the quantities and weights of actual
packages.
For packages that have been suggested automatically (those with
Auto selected in the Type column), the system
adds the weights of the boxes automatically. For each box that is added
manually, you must specify the gross weight of the box.
If you have specified the declared values or changed the COD settings for any
packages of the order, selecting the Manual packaging option
will prevent the system from automatically recalculating these packages and thus
resetting the specified values.