Shipping Box Manager Process

Overview

RetailOps version 2.11.20 has introduced new functionality: The Box Manager, which enables support for:

• Configuring box types and dimensions.
• Auto-populate shipping package dimensions in Ship Audit.
• Gain visibility of shipping box inventory.

With this users will be able to scan a pre-configured box that will automatically populate dimensions and decrement inventory from the box quantity when at the Ship Audit station. The introduction of the box manager should allow for more efficient packing and shipping of an order.  

Configuration

To begin, you will want to create a mapping for each box used in your Ship Audit Stations.

1. Head to System Config > Shipping Box Manager
2. Select "Add New Box" and input the
   • Name
   • Dimensions
   • Weight
   • Barcode on the box
     • If the box does not have a barcode RO will automatically generate one for you using the Box ID. 
       • Print the barcode box ID label by selecting "Print Label" at the bottom of the screen.
   • Carrier-class if required/desired
   • Packing type is for shipping processor predefined packages.
     • Used for FedEx One Rate.
   • The SKU section is used to track the inventory levels of your boxes.
3. Repeat for each box SKU.

Inventory Configuration

To utilize the inventory tracking aspect, you will want to create a new product that can store all of our boxes. (See article for additional info)

*Note: If you do not wish to track shipping material inventory you can skip steps 1-4 below.

1. Head to Product Search and at the top right select "Manually Create Product"
2. Select the Brand, for our purposes we have created a new one titled "Shipping Supplies", and enter a new MPN.
3. Once the product is created, add new SKUs to the product for each box type that will be used at the Ship Audit station.
4. Add the inventory quantity 
   • Select [Inv [L]ots ]
   • Manually create Lot
   • Add weight & QTY, then [Create Lot]
   • Placing in a pickable container.
   • Repeat for each new box SKU
5. Finally, in the Box Manager config, input the newly created SKUs in the SKU section. 

When finished, current inventory levels can be viewed in the PIM, article for more info. 

Additionally, Here is a helpful article on how to adjust existing Lot quantities.  

Ship Audit Process

Now that the boxes have been configured and mapped, you can use them at the Ship Audit Station.

Heading into Ship Audit, a new field has been added next to the "Close Box" button. After the items have been scanned in for shipping, the user can now select from the drop-down or scan the box barcode to populate the box's preconfigured dimensions.