INVM ALLOC (Inventory Allocation) Control Maintenance Records

The following control maintenance record belongs to the INVM (Inventory Management) category and applies to allocation of inventory.

Inventory Allocation Method

For each branch and allocation type, use this record to override the system default and define your own inventory allocation logic for picking items in an RF system. This record applies to unit-of-measure locations, but does not apply to items that you indicate the zone manually, or lot items.

• If an item is manually allocated from a zone during order entry, the system attempts to pull the quantity from the specified zone.

• For a lot item, the system looks for an exact match. If there is no exact match, the system looks for a quantity equal to or greater than the required quantity. If this method fails to allocate anything, then the system uses the user-defined allocation method.

You can set up inventory allocation methods for sales orders, transfer orders, and replenishment tasks, filtering each method by zones, product location statuses, and ship vias.

Example 1: Basic pick allocation flow with ship via filtered added to Inventory Allocation Method.

Example 2: Ship Via not assigned to Allocation Path

For additional pick allocation scenarios, see Pick Allocation Logic.

To define an inventory allocation method:

1. Access the Inventory Allocation Methodcontrol maintenance record.

2. Enter the branch and transaction type for which to define an inventory allocation method.

• In the Branch field, enter the branch or territory for which you want to define allocation methods.

• In the Type field, select one of the following the transaction types:

3. Sales Orders - Sets the allocation methods for picking products entered on sales orders.

4. Transfers - Sets the allocation methods for picking products entered on transfer orders.

5. Replenishment - Sets the allocation methods for products in the replenishment cycle.

3. To define allocation methods for a particular shipping method or group of shipping methods, enter the method in the Shipping Method Code field. This field is optional. More:

   If you have a large warehouse, you might stock a product in more than one location to expedite the picking process for orders based on their origin, such as from the showroom or from the will call counter. If you want to define inventory allocation based on the ship via for an order, use the Shipping Method Code field to indicate the area of your warehouse or ship via grouping to which the allocation applies. This code is a user-defined code that you define here to indicate a single ship via or a group of ship vias. For example, you can have more than one ship via that is applicable to your will call counter. Press F10 and select New to define a new method code in this field and use the Ship Via hot key to indicate which ship vias are included in the allocation definition. For more information, see Example 1.

The system populates the remainder of the screen with the defined parameters.

4. Define a new allocation method by defining the parameters for each round using the following fields:

   Field	Description
   Rd (Round)	(View Only) The Rd column identifies each allocation method and the order in which the system steps through them. If the first allocation method cannot fill the pick, then the system uses the next method, and so on until the pick is filled. There is no limit to the number of rounds that can be defined. The system populates this field when you arrow down to a blank line.
   Pick Qty Typ	Select the quantity match for fulfilling the pick: Exact Quantity - Selects a location that has exactly what is being requested. Single Pick - Selects a location that has at least the same amount or more than is being requested. Multiple Picks - Selects from multiple locations to fulfill the product quantity requested. This selection is useful for depleting floating locations. The system directs you first to the locations with the lowest quantities to deplete those locations until the pick is filled. Select Location - Allows you to set up a final round that would display a pick location of the product based on the location entered in the Select Location field of this control maintenance record. The system reviews all the rounds to select a pick location based on this control maintenance record. If you define the Select Location as UNAVAIL, when users see this location, it indicated they must find the best picking location for the product.
   Zone Option	Select to include or exclude the zone selected in the Zone column.
   Zone	If your warehouse is completely zone-defined, press F10 and select whether to include or exclude defined zones from the picking allocation method. Use the Multiple Zones hot key to select multiple zones. If you leave this field blank, the system includes all zones by default.
   Status	Enter the product location statuses from which to pick. List the statuses in the order in which to check for product availability. Separate each status with a comma but no spaces. Select from the following: P - Primary S - Secondary R - Remnant F - Floating B - Blank
   Sortby 1 - 5	Select how to sort the locations available for picking if the system must allocate the pick from multiple locations. After you select a sort option, you cannot use it again in the same round. The sort options are: Qty Asc - Quantity Ascending Qty Des - Quantity Descending Exp Dt - Expiration Date Rcvd Dt - Received Date Status - Sorts items in the status order displayed in the Status column UoM - Unit of Measure (ascending) If the Type is Replenishment, UoM sorts by the lowest unit of measure to the largest unit of measure. If the Type is Sales Order or Transfer, UoM sorts by the unit of measure listed on the order first. It works its way down to the smallest unit of measure and then back up to the largest unit of measure. UoM Descending - Unit of Measure Descending order. This means you can now pick items starting from the largest UOM, like a case or box, and then move down to the smallest UOM, such as each.

5. Use the Select Location field to let the warehouse picker decide on the location.

For example, you set up a round labeled Select Location. Use this Select Location field enter any name, such as Best Pick Location. This field does not have a validation. The label entered here displays on the RF gun as the pick location for the product. This option allows users to select any location for the product based on their experience and knowledge of the warehouse.

6. To clear all the rows and replace them with default values, use the Default hot key.

   If...	The default allocation method for transfers and sales orders is...
   the Use Location Expiration Datescontrol maintenance record is set to Yes	Round 1 Pick Qty Typ = Multiple Picks Status = P,S,F,R,B Sortby1 = Exp Dt Sortby2 = Qty Des Sortby3 = Status
   the Pick By Location Based On Receive Datecontrol maintenance record is set to Yes	Round 1 Pick Qty Typ = Multiple Picks Status = P,S,F,R,B Sortby1 = Rcvd Dt Sortby2 = Qty Asc Sortby3 = Status
   the Use Location Expiration Datesand Pick By Location Based On Receive Datecontrol maintenance records are both set to No	Round 1 Pick Qty Typ = Single Pick Status = P,S,F,R,B Sortby1 = Status Sortby2 = Qty Des Round 2 Pick Qty Typ = Multiple Picks Status = P,S,F,R,B Sortby1 = Status Sortby2 = Qty Des

To copy an inventory allocation method to a different branch:

1. Define the inventory allocation for a branch.

2. Use the Copy to Branch(es) hot key and then complete the following fields:

• Br/Tr/All - Enter the branch or territory to which to copy the allocation method. Enter All to copy the allocation method to all branches and territories.

• Type - Select the type of transaction to which to apply the copied method.

• Shipping Method Code - Indicate the area of your warehouse or ship via grouping to which the allocation applies. This is a user-defined code. Press F10 and select New define a new code.

5. Press Esc to save the allocation information and exit the screen.

See Also:

Pick Allocation Logic