C Technical Information

The following information describes the function of the Location Selection Driver program, which exists in six predefined versions in the Advanced Warehouse Management system:

This appendix contains these topics:

C.1 Running the Process Putaway Requests Program

You run the Location Selection Driver program to process all movement requests at a particular status and create location suggestions. The same program processes putaway, picking, and replenishment requests. If you create your own version of the Location Selection Driver, you can define the type of request to process on Data Selection in the program's processing options.

Process Putaway Requests and Resuggest Putaway Requests are DREAM Writer programs.

When you run the Process Putaway Requests program, the program performs the following functions:

Function Description
Locates outstanding putaway requests The system searches for outstanding requests (requests for which you have not yet created suggestions) in the Warehouse Requests table (F4600). The system selects the requests that have a warehouse code of 1 (putaway). The Data Selection function of the program controls this process.
Creates error messages The system creates an error message, which it displays during putaway confirmation, in the following instances:

  • The putaway request's status is not 200 (Request Created) or 220 (Suggestion Created).

  • Putaway suggestions already exist, and you have not set the program's processing options to create alternative suggestions.

  • You tried to create alternative putaway suggestions after you confirmed the original suggestions.

  • The warehouse (branch/plant) is not a valid warehouse in the address book.

  • The system cannot convert the transaction's unit of measure into the item's primary unit of measure.

  • The item's primary branch/plant record does not exist.

  • The item's warehouse process groups and order group do not reference a valid putaway instruction table.
Chooses an instruction table During process selection, the system selects a putaway instruction table for an item by comparing the item's warehouse process groups and order group to the groups specified in the process selection table. The system uses the following priorities:

  • Match all three warehouse process groups and the order group

  • Match all three warehouse process groups

  • Match the order group

After the system locates the most accurate match, it uses the putaway instruction table that you specified for that combination of groups. The putaway instruction table must include a unit of measure that also exists in the item's unit of measure structure, or the system cannot create putaway suggestions.
Chooses location types After the system selects a putaway instruction table, the method code attached to the table determines which location type the system suggests. You can set the method code to select:

  • Fixed locations

  • Random locations

  • Existing locations, which already contain the same item that you are moving

  • Empty locations

If you specified a zone in the putaway instructions, the system searches for locations only within that putaway zone.
Chooses locations using location requirements From the eligible locations, the system selects the locations that:

  • You can use for putaway

  • Have the same tax code as the item (optional)

  • Are not the location from which you are moving the item (usually the receiving dock)
Chooses locations using putaway instructions The system ranks the remaining eligible locations according to the tiebreaker that you specified in the putaway instruction table. If you use the following criteria, the system selects the locations for which you:

  • Avoid exceeding the maximum putaway quantity for the location

  • Meet the minimum utilization percentage

  • Convert large units of measure into smaller units of measure, if necessary

  • Complete partial units of measure, such as half-filled pallets
Chooses locations using the item profile If you use the following criteria, the system selects locations where the item's profile allows you to:

  • Mix different items in a location

  • Mix items with different dates or lot numbers in a location

  • Split an order line into more than one location suggestion

  • Move the items to a default location that you specify, if there is not enough space in the eligible locations
Chooses locations using the item unit of measure profile If you use the following criteria, the system selects locations based on whether the item's unit of measure definition allows you to:

  • Convert large units of measure to smaller units of measure

  • Put the item in the location, according to the capacity method that you specified for the item

You can use one of three capacity methods to decide if the item will fit:

  • Divide the usable cubic capacity of the locations by the dimensions of the item you want to store in the location. The result must be less than or equal to 1.

  • Compare the item's dimensions to the location's usable dimensions. You must also have specified whether you allow the system to rotate the item, and defined the stacking limit for the item unit of measure.

  • Verify that the quantity of the item to store is equal to or less than the quantity that you defined for the location on Location Capacity Definition.
Chooses locations using the location profile If you use the following criteria, the system selects locations based on whether the location profile detail allows you to:

  • Use the location for putaway

  • Include the location in the putaway zone, if you specified one in the movement instructions

  • Use the location for staging (unlimited capacity)

  • Mix different containers in the location

  • Mix items with different dates or lot numbers in the location

  • Store the item without exceeding the location's maximum number of items

  • Store the item based on the item's tax code

  • Store the item based on whether you allow the item's container to exist in the location

  • Store the item if it exceeds the location's minimum putaway percentage

  • Use the location's putaway sequence number as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable

  • Use the location's proximity (latitude, longitude, and height) to the receiving location as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable

C.2 Running the Process Pick Requests Program

You run the Location Selection Driver program to process all movement requests at a particular status and create location suggestions. The same program processes putaway, picking, and replenishment requests. If you create your own version of the Location Selection Driver, you can define the type of request to process on Data Selection in the program's processing options.

Process Pick Requests and Resuggest Pick Requests are DREAM Writer programs.

When you run the Process Pick Requests program, the program performs the following functions:

Function Description
Locates outstanding pick requests The system searches for outstanding requests (requests for which you have not yet created suggestions) in the Warehouse Requests table. The system selects the requests that have a warehouse code of 2 (picking). The Data Selection function of the program controls this process.
Creates error messages The system creates an error message, which it displays during pick confirmation, in the following instances:

  • The pick request's status is not 200 (Request Created) or 220 (Suggestion Created).

  • Pick suggestions already exist, and you have not set the program's processing options to create alternative suggestions.

  • You tried to create alternative pick suggestions after you confirmed the original suggestions.

  • The warehouse (branch/plant) is not a valid warehouse in the branch/plant constants.

  • The system cannot convert the transaction's unit of measure into the item's primary unit of measure.

  • The item's primary branch/plant record does not exist.

  • The item's warehouse process groups and order group do not reference a valid picking instruction table.
Chooses an instruction table During process selection, the system selects a picking instruction table for an item by comparing the item's warehouse process groups and order group to the groups specified in the process selection table. The system uses the following priorities:

  • Match all three warehouse process groups and the order group

  • Match all three warehouse process groups

  • Match the order group

After the system locates the most accurate match, it uses the picking instruction table that you specified for that combination of groups. The picking instruction table must include a unit of measure that also exists in the item's unit of measure structure, or the system cannot create picking suggestions.
Chooses location types After the system selects a picking instruction table, the method code attached to the table determines which location type the system suggests;

  • Fixed locations

  • Random locations

If you specified a zone in the picking instructions, the system searches for locations only within that pick zone.
Chooses locations using location requirements From the remaining eligible locations, the system selects the locations that:

  • You can use for picking

  • Are not the location to which you are moving the item (usually the shipping dock)
Chooses locations using pick instructions The system ranks the eligible locations according to the tiebreaker that you specified in the picking instruction table.

If you use the following criteria, the system selects the locations for which you can:

  • Meet or exceed the minimum pick percentage for the location

  • Avoid exceeding the maximum pick quantity for the location

  • Combine smaller units of measure into larger units of measure, if necessary

  • Require automatic replenishment after you deplete the items in the location (for fixed picking locations only)

  • Use the First In First Out (FIFO) picking method based on the commitment method you specify on Branch/Plant Constants

You can set the picking method to:

  • Avoid using FIFO. Instead, rank locations according to the tiebreaker.

  • Rank locations from the lowest lot number to the highest lot number.

  • Rank locations from the earliest expiration date to the latest expiration date for the date you stored the item.

  • Rank locations from the oldest date to the newest date you received the item.
Chooses locations using the location profile If you use the following criteria, the system selects locations based on whether the location profile detail allows you to:

  • Use the location for picking

  • Include the location in the pick zone, if you specified one in the movement instructions

  • Use the location's picking sequence number as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable

  • Use the location's proximity (latitude, longitude, and height) to the shipping location as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable
Picks from locations according to item availability From the eligible locations, the system picks items according to the following priority:

  • Pick from locations with available quantity, ignoring inbound quantities (incoming purchase orders)

  • Pick from locations using any available inbound quantities

  • Pick from locations that you replenished as a result of automatic replenishment

The system displays an error message if it cannot satisfy the pick request using available, incoming, or replenished quantities. If the customer does not allow the partial shipment of an order, the system automatically deletes any pick suggestions for the order, and you do not fill the order.

C.3 Running the Process Replenishment Requests Program

You run the Location Selection Driver DREAM Writer program to process all movement requests at a particular status and create location suggestions. The same program processes putaway, picking, and replenishment requests. If you create your own version of the Location Selection Driver, you can define the type of request to process on Data Selection in the program's processing options.

Process Replenishment Requests and Resuggest Replenishment Requests are DREAM Writer programs.

When you run the Replenishment Location Selection Driver program, the program performs the following functions:

Function Description
Locates outstanding replenishment requests The system searches for outstanding requests (requests for which you have not yet created suggestions) in the Warehouse Requests table. The system selects the requests that have a warehouse code of 3 (replenishment). The Data Selection function of the program controls this process.
Creates error messages The system creates an error message, which it displays during replenishment confirmation, in the following instances:

  • The replenishment request's status is not 200 (Request Created) or 220 (Suggestion Created).

  • Replenishment suggestions already exist, and you did not delete the existing suggestions to create alternative suggestions.

  • You tried to create alternative replenishment suggestions after you confirmed the original suggestions.

  • The warehouse (branch/plant) is not a valid warehouse in the branch/plant constants.

  • The system cannot convert the transaction's unit of measure into the item's primary unit of measure.

  • The item's primary branch/plant record does not exist.

  • The item's warehouse process groups and order group do not reference a valid replenishment instruction table.
Chooses an instruction table During process selection, the system selects a replenishment instruction table for an item by comparing the item's warehouse process groups and order group to the groups specified in the process selection table. The system uses the following priorities:

  • Match all three warehouse process groups and the order group

  • Match all three warehouse process groups

  • Match the order group

After the system locates the most accurate match, it uses the replenishment instruction table that you specified for that combination of groups. The replenishment instruction table must include a unit of measure that also exists in the item's unit of measure structure, or the system cannot create replenishment suggestions.
Chooses location types After the system selects a replenishment instruction table, the method code attached to the table determines which location type the system suggests. You can set the method code to select:

  • Fixed locations

  • Random locations
Chooses locations using location requirements From the eligible locations, the system selects the locations that:

  • You can use for replenishment

  • Are not the location to which you are moving the item (usually a pick location)
Chooses locations using replenishment instructions The system ranks the remaining eligible locations according to the tiebreaker that you specified in the replenishment instruction table.

If you use the following criteria, the system selects the locations for which you can:

  • Meet the minimum utilization percentage

  • Avoid exceeding the maximum replenishment quantity

  • Combine smaller units of measure into larger units of measure, if necessary

  • Use the First In First Out (FIFO) picking method based on the commitment method you specify on Branch/Plant Constants

You can set the picking method to:

  • Avoid using FIFO. Instead, rank locations according to the tiebreaker.

  • Rank locations from the lowest lot number to the highest lot number.

  • Rank locations from the earliest expiration date to the latest expiration date for the date you stored the item.

  • Rank locations from the oldest date to the newest date you received the item.
Chooses locations using the location profile If you use the following criteria, the system selects locations based on whether the location profile detail allows you to:

  • Use the location for replenishment

  • Include the location in the replenishment zone, if you specified one in the replenishment instructions

  • Use the location's replenishment sequence number as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable

  • Use the location's proximity (latitude, longitude, and height) to the To location as a tiebreaker to rank locations that are otherwise equally suitable
Replenishes from locations according to item availability From the eligible locations, you replenish items according to the following priority:

  • Replenish from locations with available quantity, ignoring inbound quantities (incoming purchase orders)

  • Replenish from locations with inbound quantities

C.4 Working with Request and Suggestion Statuses

The system uses status codes to track movement requests and suggestions. The following status codes are hard coded in a user defined codes table (system 46/type PS):

  • 200 Request created

  • 220 Request suggested

  • 250 Request in confirmation

  • 291 Request canceled

  • 299 Request closed

  • 300 Location suggested

  • 320 Suggestion assigned to tasks

  • 340 Suggestion printed

  • 391 Suggestion canceled

  • 399 Suggestion confirmed

C.5 Working with Putaway Reservation Statuses

The system uses status codes to track putaway reservations. The following status codes are hard coded in a user defined codes table (system 46/type PS):

  • 100 Reservation created

  • 191 Reservation canceled

  • 199 Reservation closed