Auto Calculate set as default in the packaging logic is a cost calculation scheme that automatically calculate the cost of the shipping for a specific item/s. It is the process of evaluating the contents of an order to determine the number and size of each shipping carton required for the order. Auto Calculate normally requires dimensional information (weight, height, length, and width) for each item.
Auto Calculate uses basic mathematics to determine the best way to pack a carton. Many existing systems use the fluid fill method. This method simply determines the cubic volume for the order by aggregating the cubic volume of each item (times the quantity ordered).
Shown below are the steps on how to enable Auto Calculate (Default):
Step 1: From the Inventory Management >> Click on Add Inventory Button >> Type the inventory item description.
Data Available
• linear or cubic measurements
• weight
• data is internally relative – i.e. M3, M, cm,
• Some data may be missing. (I.e. the Item may have Cube (m3) data, but no Length, width or height).
SKU/ITEM dimensions
• Length, width and Height (LxWxH)
• CUBE (Note – in some cases ONLY Cube will be provided)
• Gross Weight
• Nesting Factor –expressed as an incremental increase in 1 dimension, when # units is greater than 1. (X,Y,Z direction and a factor)
Carton/Tote information – CALLED CARTON GROUP
• Carton Type – Grouping of Carton Sizes into a single type. Types will be assigned to Item Lines
• Preference ranking (1 to N) – e.g. – preference is to use MEDIUM – but as required, due to single DIM or MAX, other carton may be used.
• Length, width and Height (LxWxH)
• MAX CUBE
• MAX WEIGHT
• MAX UNITS
• CUBE FILL TOLERANCE e.g. MUST Achieve 85% cubic fill.
Other Data -:
• PICKING SEQUENCE is provided - this is based on the “LOCATION” from which the SKU/Item will be picked
o This will determine the sequence for the item/location records
• Setting: SPLIT ZONE CARTONIZATION – (set at the Owner Level ) - use the picking sequence to sort the initial pass of item/locations into Carton, if a carton falls below its fill tolerance, and there are still remaining picks inside or outside the current zone, then consider those items for placing into this carton.
o else use the picking sequence to sort the initial pass of item/locations into Carton, if there are NO remaining picks within the current zone, then finish the carton.
• Setting: MIXING RULES (based on flags at the SKU/Item Level, Set at owner Level.)
o ORDER TYPE: If Flag ‘Order type Grouping Cartonization’ = 1 then check TYPE field in Order, items with different Order Types may be mixed in same carton/tote.
o CARTON GROUP: if 2 different Orderlines are linked to different CARTON GROUP – then they cannot be mixed.
• Setting: CONSILIDATION RULES (Set at owner Level): Keep SKU Together’ = 1 then try to keep all SKU’s from the same location in one (or more) cartons
Auto Calculate Logic
It will process each of the item details sequenced by pick location sequence. A sequential ID will be set for each item line
The selected Carton type and Size will be returned with ID.
• Do NOT exceed Max fill tolerance of Cube based on total cube plus current cube
• Do NOT exceed Max weight of carton based on total Weight plus current weight x Qty
• Do NOT exceed Carton Length when Length > 0
• Do NOT exceed Carton Width when Width > 0
• Do NOT exceed Carton Height when Height > 0
• Do NOT exceed Max Units of carton
• If Nesting flag is enabled at the SKU/Item level check nesting
If the system cannot find a carton for a specific item line, then carton size can be sent back as OVERSIZE, with a single ID for that item/line.
Step 2: Click drop down arrow in Packaging logic. Choose Auto Calculate (Default) >> then Click Add item >> Enter the item dimension >> Then click Save/Update.
After Saving the packaging logic, the SKU number of the item will be available and can be used in getting a quote in Quote and Book.
Step 3: Get a quotation in Quote and Book Module.