7.11.4. Containers and Groups

Streamline provides the option to apply some restricting values to the replenishment order. Besides min lot, max lot and rounding, you’re also able to load a container with different item codes or to order by using group min lot.

You can import both Containers and Groups from your data source through the Item Info tab, or create them inside of Streamline.

Containers are covering items within one location. That means if you apply one container ID to different locations, Streamline will be ordering multiple containers. On the other hand, Groups are working regardless of location.

Algorithm

Both containers and groups are based on a group ordering algorithm.

This includes defining future purchase orders for each item that is assigned to the same container, putting them all on the same timeline, and finding the right proportion ratio between those items to order accordingly. This way we get an accumulated plan for the container.

If one container isn’t enough for all assigned items, Streamline will fill up another one maintaining the established proportions.

For example, we’re looking at three SKUs: A, B and C that are assigned to the same container coming from the given supplier. Preliminarily, Streamline calculated that we need to order:

SKU A - 400 pcs

SKU B - 200 pcs

SKU C - 100 pcs

The total of it will be 700 pcs, where A takes 57%, B - 29%, C - 14%.

On the other hand, knowing we can fit maximum 1000 pieces of the product into one container, Streamline will try to round up the quantities to fill up the container, so we don’t order it half-empty.

So the next step will be increasing replenishment quantities for each of the SKUs, but maintaining the same percentage ratio:

SKU A 400 -> 570 (57%)

SKU B 200 -> 290 (29%)

SKU C 100 -> 140 (14%)

Only after the group ordering calculation is done, then Streamline applies the rest of restricting values like min or max lot and rounding.

If a few parameters for the container are given, like both volume and weight, Container will be considered filled when at least one of the restricting values is met.

How to use: Containers

Containers work as a rounding value and can be defined by load weight, volume, or quantity. You’re also able to specify the ordering cost of the container ( needed for EOQ calculations) and maximum number of containers that can be ordered from a supplier at a time.

To create a container in Streamline:

Go to the Inventory Tab

Click Containers and groups button in the Toolbar.

Click Create in the Containers tab.

Type in all needed data and click OK.

If you have entered the weight and/or volume of the container, you need to import the weight and/or volume of each SKU into the project as well.

When at least one container is created, you’ll see an additional column appearing in the Inventory spreadsheet.

To assign the created container to SKU, double-click a cell under the ID column on a needed item’s line.

You’re also able to assign the container to many items at once, by dragging a mouse through needed item code and pressing F2. See the paragraph Making bulk changes.

Once the container is assigned, Streamline will consider its parameters to round a replenishment order the way that items fill up the container.

You can also enable EOQ calculation to make smarter use of containers versus inventory holding costs.

How to use: Groups

Streamline has Min lot value that can be applied individually to each SKU. But if you need to apply Min lot to a group of items, you can use Groups.

Similar to containers, groups can be defined by weight, volume, quantity, or cost. Make sure you import data of a chosen parameter for each SKU individually as well.

To create a Group:

Go to the Inventory Tab

Click the Containers and groups button in the Toolbar.

Go to the Groups Tab in the Containers and groups dialog.

Click the Create button.

Type in all needed parameters.

Press OK.

Once the Group is created, you’ll see a new column appearing in the report.

To assign the created group to SKU, double-click a cell under the ID column on a needed item’s line.

How to use: Manufacture Groups

Essentially, the Manufacture groups feature is related to working with manufacturing lines. Users can create Manufacture groups in the Containers and Groups dialog and set Max qty / Min qty for them. After that, they can be set for the finished items only, and the set group restrictions will be applied to manufacturing orders.

To create and apply the Manufacture group do the following:

Go to the Inventory or DC tab.

Click the Containers and groups button.

Go to the ‘Manufacture groups' tab in the dialogue.

Create as many manufacture groups as you need and specify parameters for them.

Click ‘OK’

When the manufacture group is created, the user will see the additional column appearing in the table under the Inventory or DC tab.

To assign the newly created group to the item code, double-click on the cell under the ID column and select the needed group from the list.

In case the Manufacturing ID should be applied in bulk, create a filter with necessary item codes. Then select this cell and press Ctrl+A. When the range of item codes is selected press F2 and choose Manufacturing ID from the list.

Next: Explain Inventory Calculation Dialog

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