MSDyn365FO: Containerization

In this blogpost, I would like to go through the containerization process in D365.

Containerization also called as packing is the process of using standardized containers for the storage and transport of unit s from a warehouse. When packing is performed it’s specified as part of the methods in the wave template. This setup affects the way in which containerization logic works.

The following constraints are evaluated during containerization:

Warehouse specific constraints include:

• Whether items can be mixed in a case based on different parameters, such as item ID, mark for address, unit of measure (see container build template section for the details)
• Which containers can be used (see container types section for the details)

Container specific constraints include:

• The volume of the container that can be used (see container types section for the details)
• The maximum weight the container can hold (see container types section for the details)

With the containerization you will have the following advantages:

1. When work is being created, work lines are split into quantities that fit the containers
2. Warehouse worker already guided by the system which container to use for packing, how many containers needs to be used. This feature will assist the user with planning of containers structure.
3. Packing itself is not required step in D365.
4. Unlike manual packing, steps of the creating containers (Container IDs), assigning items to the container, closing containers are automated by the system.
5. There are some cons of using this feature, like a great deal of setups required (Product dimensions setup, containers setup) as well as no ability to change the system-generated containers.

Manual packing feature are not going to be covered in this post.

In out post we will review the logic of waving the order when the system takes into account all product dimensions of items and containers to fit items into boxes and breaks each box into a work id.

We are going to setup this process from scratch for newly created warehouse.

Let’s create a new warehouse where containerization process will be in use.

Warehouse setup

Set ‘Use warehouse management process’ flag to yes.

Set ‘Default inventory status ID’.

Receiving location setup

Create Receiving location for this Warehouse.

Set the created receiving location as the default one on the warehouse.

Work template setup

Create new work template for the shipment process.

Click Edit query and set the created warehouse. We would like to have this template applicable only for the warehouse we have just created.

Switch to the Sorting tab.

Set Sorting by Container ID.

In our example, we have a work template that takes items directly to baydoor, and not to a packing location, which is different than the manual packing flow.

Create work template for the purchase process.

Click Edit query and set the created warehouse. This template will be used for just created warehouse when receive the goods for the vendor.

Location directive setup

One location directive will be used for picking the container.

Second location directive will be used for putting the container to the Baydoor location.

Before that, create the baydoor location for the 221 warehouse.

Click Edit query to set where we need to put the container.

Create Location directive for receiving the goods.

Before that create a FLOOR location.

Set the Query to put the goods into FLOOR.

Wave template setup

Select the containerization method to enable the containerization.

Enter Wave step code. Write this code down since this code will be used later in the containers setup.

Add warehouse to the Worker so that he could complete his warehouse work for the created warehouse.

Containers setup

Container types setup

We are going to setup three cartons: small, medium, large cartons.  For each of the created cartons we will define the physical dimensions of the carton like tare weight, maximum weight, length, width, height, maximum volume.

Large carton setup:

Medium carton setup:

Small carton setup:

Container groups setup

Define the container utilization – how much container volume we could use.

Group containers by size from large to small in order to find the proper container during containerization process. Th system will be trying to find the containers that is the best fit for goods starting with small one.

Container build template setup

Pay attention to the Wave step code. It should match to the wave step code specified in the wave template. When a wave is executed, it will determine which container build template(s) to use to initiate containerization. You may have one container build template used in multiple wave templates.

Since we would like to pack different items into a same container, we will not use Container mixing constraints here. If you would like to pack different items into different containers, you might want to create constraints like Order lines table with the Item number field.

Item physical dimensions setup

Set physical dimensions of the item that needs to be shipped.

Create new Sales order.

Since we don’t have inventory, we will request those goods from the vendor.

Confirm the sales order by clicking Confirm sales order button on the Sell tab.

Create Purchase order by clicking Purchase order button on the Sales order tab.

Go to the created Purchase order and confirm that purchase order.

Log in to the mobile device using the worker credentials that we’ve created.

https://<environment URL>/?cmp=<Legal entity name>&mi=action:WHSWorkExecute

Follow the steps below:

Receive the second item.

Let’s move it from Receiving location into FLOOR location.

Go back to Purchase order and copy Work Id.

Click Work details on Purchase order.

Purchase work details.

Go back to mobile device and set Work ID.

Click Done on the next screen.

Repeat the same for the second item.

We have just received our items and we are ready to ship them.

Go to the sales order and click Release to warehouse. This will be triggering the containerization process.

Go to the created Shipment and review the containers structure. Containers always break by Shipment ID.

As you can see, one container is created of type small.

We are ready to move it to the baydoor location.

Follow the steps below for the outbound process.

Review that all work tasks have been completed and work is Closed.

By the way, if you review the work, you will notice that work lines are broken into quantities that match our container structure, each with the container ID assigned.

After the work is completed, the status of containers will be automatically updated to Closed, unlike the manual packing flow where you need to manually mark containers as closed.

Confirm the shipment by clicking Outbound shipment in the Load screen or use Confirm shipment of the Shipment screen.

We shipped our packed goods to the customer.