The Consignly team are excited to announce the launch of our new Packaging feature.
Packaging allows organisations to create and manage unique Package Types.
Package Types can be configured at the organisation level and assigned to individual Client Partners. Package information can then be used across consignments, product definitions and Rate Cards, providing greater control over how goods are packed and charged.
This is stage one of our Packaging release. Stage two will include reporting changes, additional rate card enhancements, and a mobile packing feature - stay tuned!
Package Types
Package Types are created and managed in the Package Type view within the Organisation menu.
The view displays all Package Types configured for the organisation. The view can be filtered by Package Status, or by entering a typed search.
The Package Types view
Creating a Package Type
To create a new Package Type, select the Add button from the Package Types view.
This will open the New Package blade with fields to capture the general package information, package measurements, and package capacity limits.
| Field | Optional / Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Required | The name used to identify the package. |
| Code | Required | The unique code used to identify the package. |
| Icon | Required | Choose one of the available icons to represent the package. Options include: Bag, Box, Pallet Stacked, and Pallet. |
| Barcode | Optional | Define a unique barcode for the package. |
| Unit Type | Required | Groups similar Package Types together, allowing charges to target a Package Unit Type on Rate Cards. |
| Package is pallet or equivalent | Optional | Defines a package as equivalent to a pallet for auto palletisation. |
| Length MM | Optional | Package length in MM. |
| Width MM | Optional | Package width in MM. |
| Height MM | Optional | Package height in MM. |
| Tare Weight KG | Required | The weight of the empty package. |
| Max Volume M3 | Optional | The package's maximum capacity of volume (M3). Used to calculate package capacity on consignments. |
| Max Weight KG | Optional | The packages maximum capacity of weight (KG). Used to calculate package capacity on consignments. |
Creating a New Package definition
Package Type action menu
Once a Package Type has been created, additional options are available from its action menu:
- Set as Default - Sets the Package Type as the Organisation Default.
- Deactivate Package - Makes the Package Type unavailable for future use. Package Types that have already been used on a consignment or in inventory cannot be removed and must instead be deactivated.
- Remove Package - Completely removes the Package Type. This option is only available if the Package Type has not been used on a consignment or in inventory.
The Edit Package action menu
Import Packages
Multiple Package Types can be created at once via csv import.
From the Package Types view, select the Import CSV icon, download the template file, populate the file with package type definitions, then process the import file.
Actioning a Package Type Import
Partner Packages
Each Client Partner can have a unique set of Package Types defined.
Packages selected for the partner will become available on that partner's consignments, rate cards, and product definitions.
To define Partner Package Types, navigate to the Package Types card on the Partner Detail.
The Package Types card on the Partner Detail
Partner Default Package Type
Each Client Partner can have their own Default Package Type defined.
The default selected here will override the Organisation default. If no default is selected, the Organisation default will be used (as long as the organisation default package enabled for the client).
Selecting the Default Package Type for a Client Partner
Package Types on Product Unit Conversions
Where applicable, Package Types can be defined on product unit conversions. This tells Consignly which type of package is associated with that unit of the product.
If the package type assigned to a unit conversion is configured as a "Pallet or pallet equivalent", Consignly will use that package type when auto palletising.
Product Unit Conversions with Package Type defined
Managing Packages on a Consignment
Packaging brings a significant upgrade to how packages are managed on consignments.
Add Package
Within the Edit Packages view, products can be automatically added to a package by dragging and dropping the product line into the "Add Package" card.
Dragging and dropping unpackaged items to a new package
Auto Palletisation
When using the Auto Palletisation function, Consignly automatically determines which Package Type to apply using the configured Package Type hierarchy.
The Package Type is determined in the following order:
- If Package Types have been defined on the product's unit conversions, and the package type is defined as a pallet or equivalent, these take priority.
- Where no product-level Package Type is defined, the system falls back to the partner's default.
- Where no partner default has been defined, the organisation default Package Type is applied (providing the organisation default has been enabled as a package on the client).
The Edit Packages view
Reconfigure Packages After Picking
Packages on outwards consignments can now be reconfigured after picking.
Rather than unpicking a consignment to change its package configuration, items can now be moved between packages with a simple drag-and-drop.
This allows warehouse teams to reshape packages after picking, including moving picked items into existing packages or creating new packages as required.
Dragging picked items from an existing package to a new package
Rate Cards
The new field "Package Unit Type" has been added to charges created on product rates.
This field allows for groups of package types to be charged at specified rates, providing greater granularity over how charges are applied.
This means multiple Package Types that share the same Unit Type can be charged at the same rate configured for that Package Unit Type.
Alternatively, charges can be defined for specific Package Types.
Applying Package Unit Type to a Product Rate Charge