Working with Pick/Pack Verification (WPPV)
Purpose: Use the pick/pack verification option to scan item as you pack them and verify that each carton includes the correct items in the correct quantities.
When would you use pick/pack verification? Pick/pack verification is an optional step in the fulfilment process that can help you improve accuracy and efficiency, preventing shipping errors and associated expenses. The use of pick/pack verification also creates a record of the individual items/SKU’s and units packed within each carton; this information is then available in standard order inquiry, along with shipment tracking numbers noted through the PC manifesting process.
When would you omit pick/pack verification from your fulfillment process? Pick/pack verification is not designed to accommodate items that require gift wrap or special handling. Also, you would normally use PC manifesting for orders that go through the pick/pack verification process; manual confirmation does not support tracking multiple cartons for a single pick slip.
In this chapter:
• System Control Values Related to Pick/Pack Verification
• Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen
• Pick Pack Verification Screen
- Printing Additional Pick Labels
- Printing Additional Item Labels
• Completing Pick Pack Verification
- Accepting Your Pick Pack Entries
- Rejecting Your Pick Pack Entries
Overview: The pick/pack verification involves the following steps:
• Identifying the pick slip to pack. To identify the pick slip, you scan or enter the information on a pick slip label. This information consists of the company code, pick control number, and the label number.
• Scanning or entering each unit that you are packing. You scan each item on the pick slip one unit at a time.
• Keeping track of which units are packed in which cartons. You can pack the pick slip in a single carton, or into multiple cartons. When a carton is full, you indicate that you are about to start a new carton, and supply the label number to use.
• Accepting your entries. When you have completed pick/pack verification, the pick slip is in Packed status and is ready for shipment confirmation.
Which item scan/entry formats are available? You can scan a short SKU barcode or a UPC code of different formats or lengths as part of pick/pack verification. If a barcode is not available for an item, you can toggle to item format entry, and use the keyboard to enter an item and SKU.
Which types of items can you scan? Pick/pack verification accommodates standard items as well as:
• set items: Pick/pack verification requires scanning of each of the components of a set item, rather than the set item master; however, the set item master is listed on the additional documents (order summary and pack slip) you can generate through pick/pack verification.
• non-inventory items: A system control value determines whether pick/pack verification requires the scanning of non-inventory items. However, pick/pack verification does not require scanning special types of non-inventory items, such as membership items and gift cards.
The pick/pack verification process includes only items with printed quantities. Drop ship items and backordered items are not included in any of the screens in pick/pack verification, although they are included on the Order Summary that you can generate when you complete the packing of a pick slip.
If you need to unpack any items or reject packing: You have the option of unpacking one or more units of an item/SKU so that you can pack them in a subsequent carton; however, you cannot unpack an item once you have completed packing the carton.
Also, you can reject all your entries for the current pick slip. The pick slip remains available for pick/pack verification at a later time.
Generated documents: You can use pick/pack verification to generate:
• pack slip: Designed for inclusion in each individual carton, the pack slip lists just the items packed within a carton.
• order summary: Provides a streamlined alternative to the pick slip, listing all the items shipping on that pick slip, but omitting information not helpful to the customer, such as warehouse locations for picking.
• additional pick labels: Available for pick slips requiring additional cartons beyond the number of pick labels printed on the pick slip.
• additional item labels: Available for items on the pick slip requiring readable barcoded labels.
When you generate item labels through pick/pack verification, the system sends them directly to the default printer specified for the packer. The other documents listed above open in a new browser window within pick/pack verification, so the packer can easily print them.
Tracking pick/pack activity: During pick/pack verification, the system tracks:
• pick/pack activity for each packer in the Packer Productivity table. You can generate the Packer Productivity report to see a summary of this information for a selected date range or for an individual packer.
• carton contents in Carton Contents table. This information is available for review in standard order inquiry.
• errors in Packing Error table. You can query this file to help determine ways to enhance packer productivity if, for example, errors occur more frequently with certain items.
System Control Values Related to Pick/Pack Verification
• Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30): Indicates whether the entry format at the Pick Pack Verification Screen defaults to the short SKU code from the SKU table, or a UPC code with a length of 8, 12, 13, or 14 positions. If you do not specify a default with this system control value, you cannot advance to the Pick Pack Verification Screen. Once you advance to the screen, you can switch to item/SKU entry format if you would like to enter the item and SKU code rather than scanning a label.
• Order Summary Print Program (K31): Indicates the program to generate the order summary document when you complete scanning a pick slip at the Pick Pack Verification Screen. The base programs are ORDERSUMG (graphical version) and ORDERSUM (non-graphical version).
• Pack Slip Print Program (K32): Indicates the program to generate the pack slip when you complete entry of each carton for a pick slip at the Pick Pack Verification Screen. The base programs are PICKPACKG (graphical version) and PICKPACK (non-graphical version).
• Packer Productivity Purge Days (K33): Indicates the number of days to retain packer productivity data before it is eligible for purge through the PACKPRG periodic function (using program FLPCKPRG).
• Scan Non-Inventory Items (K34): Indicates whether non-inventory items (excluding set master items, membership and gift cards) are included in the items requiring scanning at the Pick Pack Verification Screen. Regardless of the setting of this system control value, non-inventory items are listed as shipped on the Order Summary.
• Print Entity Image (K35): Controls whether the image associated with the entity, rather than the company, prints on the pack slip and order summary. Used only if you use a graphical print program. If you select this value and there is no image set up for the entity associated with the source code on the order header, then no image prints on the pack slip or order summary.
• Pick Label Print Program (F28): Must be set to a valid print program or you will be unable to use the Print Add’l Labels option at the Pick Pack Verification Screen. The default label print program is PICKLBL.
Schedule packer productivity purge: Schedule the PACKPRG periodic function (using program FLPCKPRG) to purge outdated packer productivity records. See Scheduling Jobs for more information.
Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen
Purpose: Use this screen to scan the identifying information for a pick slip. This information consists of the company, the pick control number, and the label number.
How to display this screen: Select Work with Pick Pack Verification at a menu or enter WPPV in the Fast path field at the top of any menu.
Completing this screen:
• If scanning: Scan the pick slip barcode label that includes the company code, pick control number, and label number, such as in the following sample.
• If using the keyboard: You can also enter the identifying information using the keyboard. The information is broken out into three numeric fields separated by hyphens, such as 006-0006323-01, where
- First 3 positions (006): the company code
- Next 7 positions (0006232): the pick control number
- Last 2 positions (01): the label number on the pick slip
Note:
• Format: Each number should be zero-filled (for example, enter 006 rather than 6 for the company code).
• Company: The company code you scan or enter does not need to be the company where you are currently working. You can still perform pick/pack verification for the pick slip, provided you have authority to that company.
• Label number: The label number is not validated; you can enter any number from 01 to 99, and the first label number defaults to 01; however, you can enter a different label number when you accept entry of the carton.
When you scan the label or enter the required information, you advance immediately to the Pick Pack Verification Screen. It is not necessary to select OK or press Enter.
Which pick slips are eligible? Only pick slips whose status is Manifest Submission, Open (blank), or Reprinted are eligible for pick/pack verification. If the pick slip you scan or enter is not in one of these statuses, an error indicates that the pick control number is not in the correct status for packing.
While a packer is working on a pick slip through pick/pack verification, the pick slip is locked from any other activity, such as void/reprint.
No default scan method: If you have not already defined a default scan method using the Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value, you will not be able to continue to the Pick Pack Verification Screen. See that system control value for more information.
Purpose: Use this screen to scan or enter each item that you are packing. Optionally, you can print labels, split the items into multiple cartons, or unpack items that you have packed in the carton you are currently packing.
How to display this screen: Complete the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen by scanning or entering a pick label.
Field |
Description |
# of units to pack |
The total number of units to pack for the pick slip. Each time you scan or enter an individual unit of inventory, this number decreases by 1. Example: If a pick slip consists of a single pick detail line for 5 units of item AB100, this field is initially set to 5. When you scan the first unit, the field changes to 4, and continues to decrease by individual units until you have scanned the entire quantity of 5. This number includes non-inventory items if the Scan Non-Inventory Items (K34) system control value is selected. Numeric, 5 positions; display-only. |
Pick control # |
A unique number identifying the pick slip you are packing. From the information scanned at the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen. Numeric, 7 positions; display-only. |
Current carton |
Identifies the carton that you are currently packing. Regardless of the pick label number you scan or enter at the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen, this field always indicates a current carton of 1 for the first carton you pack for a pick slip. If you use multiple cartons to pack a pick slip, this field displays the Next carton # you entered at the New Carton window. See Starting a New Carton for more information. Numeric, 2 positions; display-only. |
Sold to # |
The number identifying the customer who placed the order. Numeric, 9 positions; display-only. |
Sold to name (unlabeled field to the right of the sold-to number) |
The customer’s first and last name, if any; otherwise, the name of the customer’s company. First name: alphanumeric, 15 positions; display-only. Last name: alphanumeric, 25 positions; display-only. Company: alphanumeric, 30 positions; display-only. |
Item entry fields (UPC, Item/SKUs, or Short SKU) |
Use this field to scan or enter each item that you are packing. The default format depends on the setting of the Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value. If this value is set to SHORTSKU, then this field defaults to Short Sku. Otherwise, this field defaults to UPC. Select Item Format to change the format of these fields so that you can enter an item and SKU code, if any. In this situation, the field label changes to the settings defined in the Split SKU Element Column Headings (A52, A53, A54) system control values. See Scanning Items. UPC: Alphanumeric; 8, 12, 13, or 14 positions (based on the Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value); required. Short SKU: Numeric, 7 positions; required. Item/SKU: Alphanumeric; one 12-position field (item) and three 4-position fields (SKU); required. |
Last 3 control #’s worked |
Lists the last three pick slips packed by the current packer. The padding zeroes, if any are truncated; for example, a pick control number of 0001234 is listed as 1234. Which pick slips are listed? The list includes: • only pick slips for the current user within the current company on the current date; also, pick slips can be: • packed pick slips whose entry was accepted at completion, or • pick slips whose entry was rejected before completion If there are not at least three pick slips meeting these criteria, only the pick slips that meet the criteria are listed. The list can include the same pick slip more than once if you rejected entry and then attempted entry again for the same pick slip. The list does not include a pick that you were packing when the session ended abnormally (that is, if the browser window closed before you accepted or rejected your packing entries). Numeric, three 7-position fields; display-only. |
Last item packed Each time you scan or enter a unit of an item, the bottom area of the screen displays verifying information. |
|
The item code of the previously scanned unit. Alphanumeric, 12 positions; display-only. |
|
The unique characteristics, such as color or size, of the previously scanned unit. Included only if the item has SKU’s. Alphanumeric, three 4-position fields; display-only. |
|
The description of the previously scanned unit. Alphanumeric, 40 positions; display-only. |
|
Option |
Procedure |
Scan or enter items |
See Scanning Items for more information. |
Accept your entries |
Select Accept to complete pick/pack verification of the pick slip. This option is available only if you have scanned all of the units on the pick slip. See Accepting Your Pick Pack Entries for more information. |
Reject your entries |
Select Reject if you are not completing pick/pack verification of the pick slip at this time. The Problem Items window opens if there are any unscanned units on the pick slip. See Rejecting Your Pick Pack Entries for more information. |
Complete the current carton and start a new one |
Select New Carton to open the New Carton window. See Starting a New Carton for more information. |
Print additional pick labels |
Select Print Add’l Labels to open the Print Additional Pick Labels window. See Printing Additional Pick Labels for more information. |
Print item labels |
Select Print Item Labels to open the Print Labels window. See Printing Additional Item Labels for more information. |
Change item entry format |
Select Item Format to toggle between scanning items in the format indicated by the Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value or by entering an item and SKU code. See Scanning Items. |
Check pack status |
Select Pack Status to open the Pack Status window. See Reviewing Pack Status for more information. |
Unpack an item |
Select Pack Status to open the Pack Status window, and then select the item you want to unpack. See Unpacking an Item for more information. You cannot unpack an item that was packed in an earlier carton. |
One unit at a time: To indicate that you are adding items to a carton, you scan or enter each unit one at a time at the Pick Pack Verification Screen, regardless of the unit quantity for each individual item you are packing. As you scan each unit, the bottom area of the screen displays the item, SKU, and description scanned.
Scan format: The Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value defines the barcode format and validation for scanning. If this system control value specifies a:
• Short SKU: you enter or scan the Short SKU code from the SKU table. This is a system-assigned code.
• UPC code of 8, 9, 13, or 14 positions: you enter an EAN or UPC barcode you have set up for the item/SKU at the Work with UPC Codes Screen. If you have defined multiple UPC codes for a single item/SKU, the screen accepts any of the valid UPC codes. Note: Include any leading zeros. For example, if the UPC code is 06012011, enter 06012011 and not 6012011.
Automatic entry based on length: The screen automatically processes your entry once the required number of positions is scanned. The length of the short SKU is 7 positions, while the length of the UPC code varies depending on the setting of the system control value.
Entering an item and SKU code: Optionally, you can select Item Format to toggle between barcode (short SKU or UPC) entry or scanning and entry of an item/SKU code. In this situation, the field label changes to the settings defined in the Split SKU Element Column Headings (A52, A53, A54) system control values. Item/SKU entry might be useful if the barcode is unreadable or invalid. Select Item Format again to toggle back to the default entry format specified in the system control value.
Item/SKU scanning errors: The Packing Error window opens if your entry is invalid. Errors include:
• Item Scanned is Not on Pick Ticket: This error can occur when your entry does not match an existing item/SKU, or when your entry does indicate a matching item/SKU that should not be shipped for the pick slip you are currently packing.
• Quantity Scanned is Greater Than Required Quantity: The item/SKU is on the pick slip, but you have already scanned the required quantity; or the item is on the pick slip, but the quantity to ship is zero (for example, because it is backordered or a drop-ship item).
Important: Do not enter the UPC or short SKU too quickly. If you do so, the scan function may become disabled. If this occurs, reject your entries for the current pick slip and start over at the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen.
At any point during your work at the Pick Pack Verification Screen, you can select Pack Status to open the Pack Status window. This window lists each item on the pick slip and includes the following information:
• Status:
- 
not
packed: None of the units of this item have been scanned
- 
partially
packed: Some of the units of this item have been scanned
- 
fully
packed: All of the units of this item have been scanned
Note: If there is more than one line on the pick slip for the same item/SKU, they are consolidated in this window. For example, if the order included 5 units that the customer ordered and one as a free gift, this window lists 6 units.
• Item: A code identifying an item shipping on the pick slip. Each item requiring scanning is listed.
• SKU: The item’s unique characteristics, such as its color or size.
• Description: The description of the item.
• Qty to pack: The total quantity of the item to pack for the pick slip, including all pick detail lines for the same item/SKU.
• Qty packed: The total quantity of the item already scanned on the current carton or a previous carton. Units that were packed in a previous carton are not available to unpack unless you reject all of your entries at the Pick Pack Verification Screen.
Option at the Pack Status window:
• Unpack: Select Unpack for an item to indicate it is being removed from the carton. See Unpacking an Item for more information. Note: You may need to exit and re-enter the Pack Status window to refresh the item’s status.
While you are using pick/pack verification, you can unpack one or more units of an item from the carton you are currently packing.
Note: It is not necessary to unpack items if you are rejecting your pick/pack entries. Rejecting your pick/pack entries indicates that the entire pick slip is not in packed status. See Rejecting Your Pick Pack Entries for more information.
To unpack:
• Select Pack Status at the Pick Pack Verification Screen to open the Pack Status window.
• Select Unpack for an item to open the Unpack Item window. This window displays the:
- Selected item and SKU, and item description
- Qty packed: the total quantity packed so far in all cartons
- Qty to unpack: the quantity to unpack from the current carton. Defaults to 1.
• Unpacking:
- Optionally, override the Qty to unpack from the default of 1. NOTE: You cannot enter a quantity higher than the Qty packed; your entry must be 1 or higher.
- Select OK.
Each time you select OK at the Unpack Item window, the Qty to unpack is removed from the current carton. You can select OK repeatedly to unpack the entire quantity of an item, one unit at a time.
To unpack an item in a previous carton: Once you have completed a carton and started a new one, the only way to unpack any items from the previous carton is to reject your entries for the pick slip and start over. See Rejecting Your Pick Pack Entries.
Errors:
• You can unpack units of an item only if they have been packed in the current carton. The quantity packed in the current carton may be less than the Qty packed listed in the window if you have packed more than one carton for the pick slip.
Printing Additional Pick Labels
Select Print Add’l Labels at the Pick Pack Verification Screen to open the Print Additional Pick Labels window. Use this window to specify the number of additional labels to print.
Label options: If the Pick Label Print Program (F28) system control value is set to PICKLBL, the label includes both the ship-to address and the text and machine-readable pick slip barcode (composed of the company number, pick control number, and label number). With this setting, a print file is available at the Forms Management screen, and a separate browser window opens displaying the label. When the window opens, you can change the paper in the printer to blank labels. You can also go to the Forms Management screen to review or print the labels. Up to 10 pick labels for the pick slip print on a page.
See the Pick Label Print Program (F28) system control value for sample labels and setup requirements.
Printing Additional Item Labels
While using pick/pack verification, you can print additional item labels if needed. Select Print Item Labels at the Pick Pack Verification Screen to open the Print Labels window.
Completing the Print Labels window: This window includes the following fields:
• Item: Use the drop-down menu to select the item whose label you would like to reprint. It must be an item on the pick slip you are currently packing.
• Desc: Once you select the item, its description defaults here. Display-only.
• SKU: Use the drop-down menu to select the SKU of the item whose label you would like to reprint. It must be a SKU on the pick slip you are currently packing. Available only if the item has SKU’s.
• SKU desc: Once you select the SKU, its description defaults here. Display-only.
• Number of labels: The number of labels to print defaults to 1. Optionally, enter a higher number if you would like to print multiple labels.
Select Print to print the label(s).
Label contents: The item label includes the:
• barcode: The composition of the barcode is determined by the Default Scan Method for Pick Pack Verification (K30) system control value. If the default scan method is:
- short SKU: the barcode consists of the short SKU from the SKU table, zero-padded to 7 positions
- UPC8, UPC12, UPC13, or UPC14: the barcode consists of the UPC code for the item/SKU, zero-padded to the length indicated. If the system control value specifies a UPC type, then you must have a UPC code set up for the item. Otherwise, the window displays an error, and the generated label includes the item, SKU, and description, but does not include a barcode. If there are multiple UPC codes for the item/SKU, the label prints the first UPC code alphabetically by UPC type (that is, it first selects the E13 code if it exists; if there is no E13 code, it uses the E8; if there is no E8 code, otherwise, it uses the UPC-A code; and if there are no other UPC codes, it uses the UPC-E code).
• item code
• SKU code, if the item has SKU’s
• item description
• SKU description, if the item has SKU’s
While you are performing pick/pack verification, you have the option of completing a carton and starting a new one if necessary.
Note: It is not necessary to include all of the units of a pick detail line or all of the components of a set in the same carton. You can split a pick detail line or set components across multiple cartons.
Complete a carton: Select New Carton at the Pick Pack Verification Screen to open the Completed Carton window. Information at this window:
• Current carton: Identifies the carton you are completing at this time. Display-only. This number is not necessarily the same as the pick label number. For example, you might assign label number 4 to the first carton you pack; however, this field identifies the carton as 1, because it is the first carton.
• Pick label to assign to the completed carton: Enter a label number to identify the carton you are completing. This number must correspond to a label printed on the original pick slip or through Printing Additional Pick Labels, and must not have already been assigned to a carton.
• Print pack slip: Identifies whether to print the Pack Slip for the carton you are completing.
Identify the new carton: After you complete entry of the Completed Carton window, the New Carton window opens. Use this window to enter the new carton number identifying the next carton that you are starting to pack.
Restrictions:
• Although items packed in previous cartons are listed at the Pack Status window when you are Reviewing Pack Status, you cannot unpack items that were packed in a previous carton.
• You cannot start packing a new carton if the current carton does not contain any items.
Completing Pick Pack Verification
To exit the Pick Pack Verification Screen, you need to accept or reject your entries.
Accepting Your Pick Pack Entries
Once all items on the pick slip have been packed, select Accept to complete the pick/pack process and update the pick slip.
Completed Carton: The Completed Carton window opens. See Starting a New Carton for a discussion of the fields on this window. When you accept your entries at this window:
• The status of the pick slip is set to P (Packed).
• The Packer Productivity record for the packer and pick slip is updated with the date and time when packing was completed, and the Action is set to A (accept).
• The Order Summary opens in a separate browser window if the Order Summary Print Program (K31) system control value specifies a valid program name.
• The Pack Slip opens in a separate browser window if the Pack Slip Print Program (K32) system control value specifies a valid program name and the Print pack slip flag is selected at the Completed Carton window.
If not all items have been packed: You cannot accept your entries if you have not completed packing all of the items on the pick slip. If you attempt to accept your entries but any unpacked units remain, the Problem Items window opens. This window lists all items on the pick slip that have any unpacked units. The information in this window is:
• item
• SKU
• item description
Select OK to advance to the Pack Status window, or select Exit to return to the Pick Pack Verification Screen. You will not be able to accept your pick/pack entries until all units have been packed. If you cannot pack all the items on the pick slip, you will need to reject your entries.
See Reviewing Pack Status for more information on using the Pack Status window.
Next steps: After you complete pick/pack verification, the pick slip remains in Packed status until you confirm shipment. Normally, you use the PC Manifesting Interface to confirm shipment.
After confirmation, the carton contents are available for review in standard order inquiry at the Display Package Information Screen.
Rejecting Your Pick Pack Entries
Select Reject at the Pick Pack Verification Screen to reject your entries in the current session and leave the pick slip unpacked. You can re-select the pick slip for packing at a later time, or let another user pack it.
• If there are any units on the pick slip unpacked: The Problem Items window opens, listing all items on the pick slip with any units not scanned. Select any problem items and click OK to reject your pick/pack session. You return to the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen. The system writes a record to the Packing Error table; see Summary of Packing Errors for more information. Otherwise, if you select Exit at the Problem Items window, you return to the Pick Pack Verification Screen, where you can continue working on the pick slip.
• If all units on the pick slip have been packed: You return to the Work with Pick Pack Verification Screen.
Once you reject, the pick slip is available for pick/pack verification by you or by another packer. Also, the Packer Productivity record for the packer and pick slip is updated with the date and time when the packing was rejected, and the Action is set to R (reject).
Voiding a pick slip: You can void a pick slip that is in a Packed status using Reprinting and Voiding Pick Slips (WVRP or WSVP). When you void a pick slip that is in a Packed status, the system removes the associated records in the Carton Contents table. You cannot use the generic Pick In API to void a pick slip that is in a Packed status.
The errors that might occur in pick/pack verification are:
Error |
Description |
See: |
Item Scanned is Not on Pick Ticket |
You scanned or entered an item that is not a valid item/SKU, or is not an item/SKU that is on the pick slip. |
|
Quantity Scanned is Greater Than Required Quantity |
You attempted to scan a unit of an item/SKU that is on the pick slip, but you have already scanned the required quantity; or the item is on the pick slip, but the quantity to ship is zero (for example, because it is backordered or a drop-ship item). |
|
Problem Item on Pick |
You flagged the item as a problem item when rejecting pick/pack entry. |
These errors are tracked in the Packing Error table. Additional error messages displayed in pick/pack verification are not tracked in this table.
