Suggested Packages Configuration

Enabling the Functionality

Suggested packages are available as a module that is disabled by default, preventing the use of this functionality. To enable the module, navigate to TMS | Setup and enable the Suggested Packages module on the right side of the screen.

Enabling the module results in the addition of extra sections in the FactBox pane in supported documents, as well as the activation of actions that allow navigation to settings and calculation of suggested packages. You can find details here.

Configuring Suggested Packages

To properly configure the calculation of suggested packages, you must configure the appropriate pages according to the steps below.

TMS | Packages

This page contains a list of available packages that will be used for transporting goods. These can be any packages such as boxes, pallets, etc. Based on them, you can determine the loading capacity of these packages and suggest appropriate packages for inventory.

If you are using the Minimum Order Value functionality, you will be able to set minimums in relation to the type of packaging as well.

The packages defined here are also selected when determining the dimensions of shipments in the transport order wizard.

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Go to TMS | Packages in Business Central.
  2. Use the Insert Defaults action to add default packages. For default packages, only dimensions, weights, and descriptions can be changed.
  3. If you want to add your own packages, fill in the following fields:
  • Type: Select the type of packaging.
  • Code: Enter a unique code (up to 30 characters) to identify the specific package.
  • Description: Provide a user-friendly description of the package.
  • Length (cm): Enter the length of the package. This parameter can be used when exchanging data with the transport company and for shipment pricing.
  • Width (cm): Enter the width of the package. This parameter can be used when exchanging data with the transport company and for shipment pricing.
  • Height (cm): Enter the height of the package. This parameter can be used when exchanging data with the transport company and for shipment pricing.
  • Weight (kg): (optional) Enter the weight of the package.
  • Min Content Weight: Specify the minimum weight of the contents required to use the specified package.
  • Max Content Weight: Specify the maximum weight of the contents allowed for the specified package.

TMS | Item Packages

This page allows you to assign any of the created packages to any items or inventory categories. This enables the automatic calculation of packages needed for transport. You can assign multiple types of packages to each item or category and set a priority for each one.

There is also an option to define packages that can be consolidated into another package once a specific quantity is reached.

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Go to TMS | Item Packages.
  2. Add new entries by filling in the following fields:

  • Type - the type of configuration row for which the rule will apply:

    • For Item Category - used to define packaging rules for a specific item category.
    • For Item - used to define packaging rules for a specific item. It has a higher priority than the "For Item Category" type.
    • For Package - allows defining quantities for a given package and is used for package consolidation. For example, you can create a rule for boxes and assign them EPAL 1 for a minimum value of 5 and a maximum of 25. With a large number of boxes, they will automatically be assigned to one pallet, which is more economical than shipping 20 boxes separately.
    • For Assembly BOM – used to select an item for which an Assembly BOM has been created. Each component from the BOM will be calculated separately, so these items must be added on the item packages page. The selected main item will be ignored in the calculation. However, if you want to include this item as a regular item rather than a BOM, select the For Item type – in this case, the BOM will be ignored.
    Tip

    When you create a rule for an item category and another rule for a specific item, if the item belongs to the defined category, the "For Item" rule takes precedence over the "For Item Category" rule, ensuring the use of a more specific rule.

  • Code - specifies the item/package code for the selected type.

  • Description - description, automatically filled in based on the selected code.

  • Priority - specifies the priority of the package; higher priorities increase the likelihood of selecting a particular package for transporting the selected code.

  • Package Code - the code of the package into which you want to pack the selected code.

  • Minimum Quantity - specifies the minimum quantity of item required to consider the selected package.

  • Maximum Quantity - the maximum quantity of the item to consider the selected package during transport.

  • Minimum Content Weight - the minimum weight of item required to use the specified package.

  • Maximum Content Weight - the maximum weight the item can have to use the specified package.