1. Buyer Workspace and Supplier Self Service Implementation Guide
  2. Understanding Shipment Notifications

Understanding Shipment Notifications

Suppliers need to initiate shipment notification to let the buyer know that the shipment is in transit and to update the shipment status.

Suppliers have two methods available for notifying the buyer about shipped goods:

  • Update the status to indicate that a purchase order line is in transit.

    This method enables the supplier to specify the quantity shipped, shipment date, and any additional shipment identification. The purchase order status is updated to In transit. This method also enables the same split line functions as the SRM - PO Acknowledgement program (P43S01).

  • Initiate receipt routing.

    The Self-Service - Movement in Routing program (P43250SS) enables suppliers to move shipments into routing. Suppliers can specify the quantity, lot information, and a shipment identifier. Suppliers can also cancel any remaining quantity on the order.

To specify which method you are using, set the Shipment processing mode processing option on the Self-Service - Purchase Order Receipts program (P4312S). You also can set a processing option to notify the buyer about shipments.

When notifying buyers of orders in transit, the system sends electronic confirmation messages to the following users:

  • The buyer who is associated with the purchase order detail line.

  • The planner for the item.

Both electronic confirmation messages contain links to a program that displays purchase order detail lines for which the supplier notified the buyer that a shipment is in transit.

When you use the status update method, you first review the orders and line items that are ready for shipment. You can review both header and detail information. When you review the detail information, you can update the ship quantity, ship date, and container ID. You can decide whether to ship the entire quantity or a partial quantity.

When an order line is partially shipped, the system creates a new split line that reflects the partial shipment. The split line inherits the original order line number. The system increments the original line number by a value of 0.01, which is preceded by the original line number. For example, if the original line number is 1.2, then the new split line that results from the status update is numbered 1.21. The maximum number of split lines that the system can create is nine.

When you ship a partial quantity, you also can ship the order without intending to fulfill the outstanding quantity, provided that you set the appropriate processing option. The system cancels the order line that remains.