Working with Movement Processing

This chapter provides an overview of movement processing and discusses how to:

Define process selection.
Define movement instructions.

Understanding Movement Processing

Movement processing controls how the system moves items to locations in the warehouse during putaway, picking, and replenishment. You automate inventory movement through the warehouse by defining process selection rules that match items to movement instructions. Movement instructions control which locations that the system suggests for putaway, picking, and replenishment.

You define process selection rules to determine which movement instruction table to use during putaway, picking, and replenishment. You also define process selection rules to determine whether the system maximizes space or employee productivity.

You define movement instructions to create settings that the system uses to refine the list of potential locations to the smallest possible number. These parameters can include whether to select fixed or random locations, and whether to limit the search to a specific zone.

Defining Process Selection

This section provides an overview of process selection, lists a prerequisite, and discusses how to:

Set processing options for Process Selection (P46093).
Define process selection rules.

Understanding Process Selection

Process selection matches the warehouse process groups that are defined for the item in the item/branch category codes screen and an order group to a specific process selection rule. The process selection rule points to a particular movement instruction table. The selection of a table is based on the item's warehouse process group, the order group that you have specified, and the source of the request, such as a purchase order receipt, a sales order, or a replenishment. You define process selection by assigning process groups and order groups to specific movement instruction tables.

Process selection takes place after you create a movement request but before you create movement suggestions.

When you define process selection rules, you also specify the process mode, which describes whether you want the system to:

Maximize space by filling locations to their maximum capacity and emptying partially filled locations as quickly as possible.
Maximize productivity by minimizing the number of trips that employees make through the warehouse.
Use other criteria that you define.

You specify the process mode for each movement instruction table that you include in the process selection table.

Prerequisite

Before you complete the tasks in this section, set up order groups.

Form Used to Define Process Selection

Form Name	FormID	Navigation	Usage
Process Selection Revisions	W46093C	Warehousing Movement Rules (G46311), Putaway Selection, Picking Selection, or Replenishment Selection Click Add on Work With Process Selection.	Define process selection rules.

Form Name

FormID

Navigation

Usage

Process Selection Revisions

W46093C

Warehousing Movement Rules (G46311), Putaway Selection, Picking Selection, or Replenishment Selection

Click Add on Work With Process Selection.

Define process selection rules.

Setting Processing Options for Process Selection (P46093)

Processing options enable you to specify the default processing for programs and reports.

Movement Option

Although processing options are set up during JD Edwards EnterpriseOne implementation, you can change processing options each time you run a program.

1. Type of Movement Information to Display

Enter 1: to specify putaway information, 2: to specify picking information, or 3: to specify replenishment information.

Defining Process Selection Rules

Access the Process Selection Revisions form.

Warehouse Process Group

A user defined code (41/02) that identifies a group of items for movement purposes. The system uses a process group to determine which movement instructions it uses to process putaway, picking, and replenishment transactions.

Order Group

A user defined code (46/DT) that identifies a group of order types that you want the system to process as one for putaway, picking, and replenishment transactions. You set up order group codes on User Defined Codes, then add order types to the code on Order Groups (P46092). You specify an order group on Picking Instructions (P46095) to limit the order types that trigger replenishment after picking.

Putaway Table

A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a putaway table. The putaway table defines how the system selects locations for putaway. You use the Putaway Instructions (P46095) program to create putaway tables.

Picking Table

A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a picking table. The picking table defines how the system selects locations for picking. You use the Picking Instructions (P46095) program to create picking tables.

Replenishment Table

A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a replenishment table. The replenishment table defines how the system selects locations for replenishment. You use the Replenishment Instructions (P46095) program to create replenishment tables.

Putaway Process Mode

A user defined code (46/PC) that determines the putaway processing method. Values are:

P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible in order to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips.

S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes the use of space by topping off partially filled locations. This mode also minimizes inventory fragmentation.

Picking Process Mode

A code (46/PC) that identifies a picking processing method. Values are:

P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips. The system minimizes the number of replenishment trips by replenishing from the fewest locations possible.

S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes space use by topping off partially filled locations to minimize inventory fragmentation.

Replenishment Process Mode

A code (46/PC) that identifies a replenishment processing method. Values are:

P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible in order to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips. The system minimizes the number of replenishment trips by replenishing from the fewest locations possible.

S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes space use by topping off partially filled locations to minimize inventory fragmentation.

Putaway Program

A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid putaway locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.

Picking Program

A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid pick locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.

Replenishment Program

A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid replenishment locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.

Picking (Primary Unit of Measure)

Select this option to indicate that the system picks items in the process group based upon the item's primary unit of measure.

Note. This option is available only when the branch plant is defined as a license plate warehouse.

Replenishment (Primary Unit of Measure)

Select this option to indicate that the system replenishes items in the process group based upon the item's primary unit of measure.

Note. This option is available only when the branch plant is defined as a license plate warehouse.

Defining Movement Instructions

This section provides an overview of movement instructions, lists a prerequisite, and discusses how to:

Define common movement instruction criteria.
Define specific movement instruction criteria.
Set processing options for the Movement Instructions program (P46095).

Understanding Movement Instructions

You define movement instructions to control which locations that the system suggests for putaway, picking, and replenishment. A movement instruction table contains many parameters that you specify to refine the list of potential locations to the smallest possible number.

When you set up movement instructions, you define this information:

Whether to use fixed or random locations.
Which random rule to use if you use random locations.
Whether to restrict the movement to a zone.
Which zone to use for the location search if you use zones.
Which tiebreaker method to use to rank equally suitable locations.
Whether to use minimum and maximum percentages for putaway and picking.

You can also define specific movement instructions. For putaway, you can define:

Whether to select empty locations or locations that already contain the same items as those you need to store.
Whether the system converts larger units of measure into smaller units of measure.
Whether to completely fill partially filled locations.
Whether to completely fill or top off partial units of measure, such as half-filled pallets.

For picking and replenishment movements, you can define:

Whether to move the oldest items in a location first to avoid spoilage or obsolescence.
Whether the system converts smaller units of measure into larger units of measure, such as combining cases to form a pallet.

You define a fixed location to use for one purpose. Conversely, a random location is any location that matches the criteria that you define, such as:

The location characteristics specified in the random rule.
Whether the location characteristic is required or optional.
The priority of the optional characteristic.
Whether the item should include or exclude the specified location characteristic for the search.

When you search for locations, the system identifies many locations that match the search criteria. You can use tiebreakers to select the best location from all the matching locations. You can also specify the process mode to use. You can select to:

Maximize warehouse space.
Maximize employee productivity.
Use other criteria that you define.

Process Mode

Warehouses generally have limited space, so you need to use the available space as efficiently as possible. You also need to make each employee's trip through the warehouse as efficient as possible to maximize the quantity of items that each employee moves per trip.

You set the process mode to direct the system to a movement instruction table that:

Maximizes space by filling locations to their maximum capacity and emptying partially filled locations as quickly as possible.
Maximizes productivity by minimizing the number of putaway, picking, and replenishment trips in the warehouse.
Uses other criteria that you define to optimize warehouse space and employee efficiency.

Common Movement Instruction Criteria

Putaway, picking, and replenishment instructions share many of the same parameters. You set these parameters to refine the list of potential locations to the smallest possible number.

For items that have serial numbers, the system tracks movement on an individual basis in the primary unit of measure. You cannot group the items into greater units of measure unless you are working with memo lots. During the putaway, picking, and replenishment processes, all movement reports and transactions for items with serial numbers display one item for each detail line.

On the movement instruction tables, you must set the From Quantity to 1 or 0. The system does not allow you to use breakdown, top off, or minimum utilization percentages with items that have serial numbers.

Specific Movement Instruction Criteria

Putaway, picking, and replenishment have parameters that are specific to each movement type. These parameters further refine the list of potential locations.

When the system processes movement criteria for picking and replenishment, it excludes locations that do not have adequate available quantity or adequate inbound inventory.

If you are cross docking inventory, you must define the movement criteria for picking so that the system selects inventory from the receiving location first.

License Plate Movement Instructions

You can use the Process Selection (P46093) program to enable a license plate warehouse to process transactions only in the primary unit of measure. During processing, the system does not look at the license plate unit of measure equal to the instruction unit of measure, but rather considers all license plates regardless of the unit of measure and performs breakdown of multi-level license plates.

If the license plate warehouse is set to process picking or replenishment transactions in the primary unit of measure, the following applies:

The Movement Instructions program (P46095) displays the License Plate Sequence grid column. You can use this column to indicate how the system sequences license plates. The License Plate Sequence grid column accepts three values:

Blank: Sequence by ascending license plate number.

1: Sequence by ascending quantity.

2: Sequence by descending quantity.
The system sets the FIFO flag to Y and is disabled to prevent any changes to the value. The system also disables the Unit of Measure Group field.

See Appendix B.

Prerequisite

Before you complete the tasks in this section, set up unit of measure groups.

Forms Used to Define Movement Instructions

Form Name	FormID	Navigation	Usage
Putaway Movement Instructions Revisions	W46095E	Warehouse Movement Rules (G46311), Putaway Instructions Click Add on Work With Movement Instructions.	Define common or specific movement instruction criteria.
Picking Movement Instructions Revisions	W46095E	Warehouse Movement Rules (G46311), Picking Instructions Click Add on Work With Movement Instructions.	Define common or specific movement instruction criteria.
Replenishment Movement Instructions Revisions	W46095E	Warehouse Movement Rules (G46311), Replenishment Instructions Click Add on Work With Movement Instructions.	Define common or specific movement instruction criteria.

Defining Common Movement Instruction Criteria

Access the appropriate Movement Instructions Revisions form.

Defining Specific Movement Instruction Criteria

Access the appropriate Movement Instructions Revisions form. The system displays the appropriate fields depending on which revisions form you access.

Complete these fields on the Putaway Movement Instructions Revisions form.

Putaway Zone	Enter a UDC (46/ZN) that identifies areas in the warehouse where goods are put away or stored.
Putaway TB (putaway tiebreaker)	Enter a number that identifies the tiebreaker you want to use for this putaway rule when multiple locations satisfy the criteria. The system uses the tiebreaker to rank the tied locations. Tiebreakers are hard coded and the values are: 1: Sequence locations by the putaway sequence number. If you do not assign sequence numbers, and you use this tiebreaker, the system selects between equal locations based on their alphanumeric sequence. You define sequences using Location Profile (P46020). 2: Sequence locations by greatest available space. The system uses locations that can hold the greatest quantity of the item in the specified unit of measure and container first. 3: Sequence locations by least available space. The system uses locations that can hold the least quantity of the item in the specified unit of measure and container first. 4: Sequence locations by least available space, but minimize the number of locations used. This code is the same as tiebreaker 3, except the system tries to use the least number of locations. 5: Sequence locations by proximity from the sending location (usually the receiving dock), using the closest locations first. 6: Sequence locations by proximity to the base putaway location, using the closest locations first. 7: Sequence locations by proximity to the base picking location, using the closest locations first.
Min Putaway (minimum putaway)	Enter a value that indicates whether the system suggests a location if putaway will not fill that location to at least the minimum percentage capacity defined through Location Profile Detail (P460201). Valid codes are: Y: Use the minimum utilization percentage when searching for putaway locations. N: Do not use the minimum utilization percentage when searching for putaway locations.
Max Putaway (maximum putaway)	Enter a value to indicate whether you want the system to suggest locations according to the maximum quantity of an item in the specified unit of measure that you can put away in a zone. You define maximum quantities for items in a specified unit of measure using Maximum Quantity by Zone (P46025). Y: Yes, use the maximum quantity permitted in a zone to suggest locations, and if the quantity in a zone exceeds the maximum, suggest another location for the remaining quantity. N: No, do not use maximum quantity when suggesting locations
B D (breakdown)	Enter a Y: to enable breakdown into smaller units of measure. For example, a pallet into cases. Enter an N: and the system does not enable breakdown into smaller units of measure.
Top Off	Enter a value to indicate whether you want the system to attempt to complete an incomplete unit of measure (such as a half-filled pallet) in an existing location during putaway. Values are: Y: Yes, search for locations with incomplete units of measure to top them off. N: No, do not search for locations with incomplete units of measure.
A P (allow partial)	Enter a value to indicate whether you want the system put away partial units of measure. You must also specify on Unit of Measure Definition by Item (P46011) that you allow breakdown. If you set Allow Partial Units to N, you must also set Breakdown to N. Values are: Y: Yes, put away partial units of measure. N: No, do not put away partial units of measure.

Complete these additional fields on the Picking Movement Instructions Revisions form.

Picking Zone	Enter a UDC (46/ZN) that identifies areas from which items are picked for shipment.
Pick TB (pick tiebreaker)	Enter a number that identifies the picking rule tiebreaker that you want to use when several locations satisfy the criteria. The system uses the tiebreaker rank for tied locations. Tiebreakers are hard-coded and the values are: 1: The system uses the locations containing the smallest available quantity first. 2: The system uses the locations that will contain the least residual quantity when the pick is complete. 3: The system uses the location containing the greatest available quantity first. If not enough quantity exists to fill the request, the system suggests additional locations, but only the least number of locations that are necessary to complete the request. 4: The system uses the picking sequence number. If you do not assign sequence numbers and you use this tiebreaker, the system selects between equal locations based on their alphanumeric sequence. You define sequences using the Location Profile application (P46020). 5: The system sorts locations according to proximity to the shipping location, using the closest locations first. For each tiebreaker, the system suggests the location as long as the available quantity equals a full unit of measure (UOM) for that instruction line.
Max Picking (maximum picking)	Enter a value that indicates whether you want the system to suggest locations according to the maximum quantity of an item that you can pick from a location. You use maximum pick quantity only for fixed locations, which you define through Fixed Locations (P46012). Values are: Y: Yes, use the maximum quantity that you can pick from a location to suggest locations, and if the quantity requested exceeds the maximum pick quantity for the location, search for another location N: No, do not use the maximum picking quantity when suggesting picking locations
R P (replenishment)	Enter a value to indicate whether you allow replenishment from a location.

Complete these additional fields on the Replenishment Movement Instructions Revisions form.

Replen Zone (replenishment zone)

Enter a UDC (46/ZN) that identifies replenishment zones, which are areas in the warehouse from which items are retrieved to replenish or refill picking locations. You assign zones to locations using Location Master (P4100).

Repl TB (replenishment tiebreaker)

Enter a number that identifies the tiebreaker you want to use for this replenishment rule when multiple locations satisfy the criteria. The system uses the tiebreaker to rank the tied locations Tiebreakers are hard coded and the values are:

1: Sequence locations using "pick to clear" logic. The system uses the locations containing the smallest available quantity first.

2: Sequence locations using "pick from fewest with best fit" logic. The system uses the locations that will contain the least residual quantity when the replenishment is complete.

3: Sequence locations using "pick from fewest" logic. The system uses the location containing the smallest available quantity first. If there is not enough quantity to fill the request, the system suggests additional locations, but only the least number of locations that are necessary to complete the request.

4: Sequence locations according to the replenishment sequence number. If you do not assign sequence numbers, and you use this tiebreaker, the system selects between equal locations based on their alphanumeric sequence. You define sequences on Location Profile (P46020).

5: Sequence locations according to proximity to the shipping location, using the closest locations first.

Max Replenishment (maximum replenishment)

Enter a value that indicates whether you want the system to suggest locations according to the maximum quantity of an item that you can pick from a location. You use maximum picking quantity only for fixed locations, which you define through Fixed Locations (P46012). Values are:

Y: Yes, use the maximum quantity that you can pick from a location to suggest locations, and if the quantity requested exceeds the maximum pick quantity for the location, search for another location

N: No, do not use the maximum picking quantity when suggesting picking locations

Setting Processing Options for Movement Instructions (P46095)

Processing options enable you to specify the default processing for programs and reports.

Display

Although processing options are set up during JD Edwards EnterpriseOne implementation, you can change processing options each time you run a program.

1. Type of Movement Information to Display

Enter 1: to specify putaway information, 2: to specify picking information, or 3: to specify replenishment information.

Warehouse Process Group	A user defined code (41/02) that identifies a group of items for movement purposes. The system uses a process group to determine which movement instructions it uses to process putaway, picking, and replenishment transactions.
Order Group	A user defined code (46/DT) that identifies a group of order types that you want the system to process as one for putaway, picking, and replenishment transactions. You set up order group codes on User Defined Codes, then add order types to the code on Order Groups (P46092). You specify an order group on Picking Instructions (P46095) to limit the order types that trigger replenishment after picking.
Putaway Table	A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a putaway table. The putaway table defines how the system selects locations for putaway. You use the Putaway Instructions (P46095) program to create putaway tables.
Picking Table	A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a picking table. The picking table defines how the system selects locations for picking. You use the Picking Instructions (P46095) program to create picking tables.
Replenishment Table	A user defined code (46/IT) that identifies a replenishment table. The replenishment table defines how the system selects locations for replenishment. You use the Replenishment Instructions (P46095) program to create replenishment tables.
Putaway Process Mode	A user defined code (46/PC) that determines the putaway processing method. Values are: P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible in order to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips. S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes the use of space by topping off partially filled locations. This mode also minimizes inventory fragmentation.
Picking Process Mode	A code (46/PC) that identifies a picking processing method. Values are: P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips. The system minimizes the number of replenishment trips by replenishing from the fewest locations possible. S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes space use by topping off partially filled locations to minimize inventory fragmentation.
Replenishment Process Mode	A code (46/PC) that identifies a replenishment processing method. Values are: P: Productivity mode. The system suggests the fewest locations possible in order to minimize the number of putaway and picking trips. The system minimizes the number of replenishment trips by replenishing from the fewest locations possible. S: Space maximization mode. The system maximizes space use by topping off partially filled locations to minimize inventory fragmentation.
Putaway Program	A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid putaway locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.
Picking Program	A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid pick locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.
Replenishment Program	A number that specifies the program you can write to determine valid replenishment locations. The system uses this program instead of the JD Edwards EnterpriseOne program.
Picking (Primary Unit of Measure)	Select this option to indicate that the system picks items in the process group based upon the item's primary unit of measure. Note. This option is available only when the branch plant is defined as a license plate warehouse.
Replenishment (Primary Unit of Measure)	Select this option to indicate that the system replenishes items in the process group based upon the item's primary unit of measure. Note. This option is available only when the branch plant is defined as a license plate warehouse.