1. Using Service Logistics
  2. Use Transfer Orders to Manage Complex Depot Repair Logistics

Use Transfer Orders to Manage Complex Depot Repair Logistics

Some organizations have a complex depot repair and return workflow where the broken part passes through multiple locations before being repaired and returned to the customer.

For example, from the customer to the local warehouse, then to a distribution center, and finally to the actual repair depot. After it's repaired, it's shipped from the repair depot to the local warehouse before being sent to the customer. In such cases, a transfer order is created to move the broken part from one facility to another. The transfer order is linked to the depot repair RMA Line to easily track and manage this multi-step depot repair and return workflow. There may be more than one transfer order for a single asset if it has to go through multiple locations before being repaired and shipped back to the customer.

Let's have a look at some examples:

In a local warehouse, a repair coordinator will use the Depot Repair Workbench to create transfer orders to ship broken assets to repair depots or distribution centers. They will use the Manage Depot Repair page to query all of their inbound RMAs.

In a distribution center, the manager will use the Depot Repair Workbench to create transfer orders to ship broken assets to repair depots and to ship the repaired asset back to the local offices or warehouses. The distribution center manager opens the Manage Depot Repair page to see all of the repairs that are headed to that distribution center by querying their distribution center inventory organization. The results table displays:

  • all RMAs being shipped directly to the distribution center

  • all RMAs tied to transfer orders and headed for (or already received into) the distribution center

  • RMAs tied to transfer orders used to ship parts back to the local warehouse or office

In a repair depot, the depot repair manager uses the Manage Depot Repair page to manage the flow of work through the depot. The Depot Repair Workbench is used to create transfer orders to ship repaired assets to local offices or warehouses. The Logistics tab in the Depot Repair Workbench lets users manage the flow of a repair RMA through multiple stocking and repair center locations.

To create a transfer order:

  1. Query the RMA Line for the broken asset.

  2. Open the Depot Repair Workbench for the selected RMA Line.

  3. Go to the Logistics tab.

  4. Click on the Actions drop-down button and then click Create Transfer Orders.

  5. Enter the source and destination organization and subinventory details.

  6. The Requested Ship Date defaults to the current system date and time. Change the date if the repaired asset will be shipped at a later date.

  7. Select a shipping method. The Shipping Method list of values displays all the ship methods (Service Level, Transportation Mode and Carrier) that are set up for the source inventory organization in the Manage Carriers page. This is an optional step.

  8. Click Apply.

  9. In the Logistics tab, you will first see the depot repair RMA and shipment order lines used to manage the return of the broken product from the customer and the shipment of the repaired product back to the customer. You will then see the transfer order or orders that are created to move the broken product across various locations.