Utilizing the Tote Receiving Tool

This tool provides a process on WMS to receive serialized tote container items into one facility from multiple sources (could be other facilities or customer inventory) through one transaction process.

  • The feature documents the receipt of totes at the facility processed into and performs transactions required to address the transfer (from a facility) or return (From a customer’s inventory) of the serialized tote so that the Deacom system facility inventories will be correct and the Sales order Customer Inventory Report will be correct.
  • The transfer transaction back to the facility will process the transfer from the warehouse as well as remove the tote from the customer’s inventory if required.
  • Users can scan multiple totes before selecting the Move button and all the totes will be added to one transaction (regardless of if they are from another facility or customer inventory

Configuration

  • WMS -- move containers to facility - Set this security to yes for those users that will utilize the Tote Receiving Tool feature.
  • Container Ret Reason - If serialized totes/containers will be returned into customer inventory, then select a reason code in this field via Inventory > Options. This is required.
  • Containers - the appropriate Containers must be created via Inventory > Maintenance > Containers. When using the Tote Receiving Tool process, The serialized tote container Item Master, with the properties of “Unit Serialization” and “Track inventory at customer” set to yes is linked to the serialized Container via the Container Number (cr_contnum) field in Deacom. The container number should be set to match the serial number when creating Containers.
  • Item Records - ensure that the necessary item master records are set up to support the tracking of customer assets. There are usually three items required:
    • 1 for the bulk material that will go in the container, "Bulk Item"
    • 1 that represents the type of container, "Container Type", marked "Unit Serialization" and "Track Inventory At Customer" on the item master
    • 1 that represents the finished good, "Bulk Container FG" that is shipped and consists of the "Container Type" item and "Bulk Item" on the bill of materials. This must be marked "Container Serialization" and "Track Inventory At Customer" on the item master properties tab, and the "Tracked Container" field on the General 2 tab must contain the "Container Type" item. The unit of measure must also equal the size of the container specified in the "Container Unit" field on the Units tab
    • See the Utilizing Asset Tracking page for details on item master setup.

Process

Process Overview

When using the WMS Move Inventory transaction and scanning a part number and serial number, and no inventory is found, the system will check if the user has the "WMS -- move containers to facility" security set to Yes. If the user does not have the security set, the new tote receiving process will not be initialized.

If the security setting is set to Yes, the system will:

  • Confirm the serial number is listed as a Container record in Deacom.
  • Next, the system will check if the Container is in another facility or in customer inventory in Deacom.
  • If the Container is found, the system will populate any information on the WMS Move Inventory form that can be such as part description, on hand quantities, user lot, system lot etc.)
  • Disable the Move From, Move To, Job Number, Src Lot Type, Src Location, Src Container, Src Container, Suggested Location, New Container, New Vehicle, Use Entire, Master Wgt, and Find fields.
  • Set the reason code to the one specified in the "Container Ret Reason" field in Inventory > Options. If there is no default the user will need to pick one. Users will be prompted if attempting to move without a reason code.
  • Allow the user to select a Location Type and Location in the scanner Facility and move the container from where it was into the scanner Facility.
    • If moving from another facility this will be handled like a normal cross facility move, but with the reason coded added to the fi_action field.
    • If moving from customer inventory, the system will update the customer inventory data so the container does not show at the customer. This is the same as when returning the container on a negative sales order, but without the order transaction. The system will then move the container into the facility with the reason code. Note that the system will honor the Remove Excess Customer Inventory Upon Return(df_custinvexcess) the same as when returning via a sales order.

Note that users can then scan multiple totes before selecting the Move button and all the totes will be added to one transaction (regardless of if they are from another facility or customer inventory

Process Steps

Review the Process Overview section above to understand the expected form and field behavior on the scanner when using this feature.

In the WMS application:

  1. Navigate to Move Inventory.
  2. Scan the part number/serial number combination. Note the that the barcode may contain other information, but the part number/serial number is required.
  3. Confirm the information that is populated on the scanner.
  4. If necessary, select/confirm the reason code.
  5. Select a Location Type and Location in the scanner Facility.
  6. Select the Move button to move the container from where it was into the scanner Facility.

FAQ & Diagnostic Tips

Tip: When scanning the part number/serial number, the system will confirm the serial number exists in the Deacom Container table. If not, the user will be prompted.

Tip: The Customer Inventory report via Sales > Order Reporting is useful for tracking returned customer Containers.