E-WMS

E-WMS - Usage of external SKU numbers

WMS documentation

Introduction

This document describes the usage of 'external' SKU numbers in E-WMS SKU Management, available from product update 405.

Description

E-WMS offers the possibility to assign unique (SKU) numbers to pallets or boxes in your warehouse. E-WMS can generate these numbers and use the BarTender integration to print SKU labels during stock receipt processes.

However, SKU (SSCC) labels can already be present on the received stock, for instance applied by your supplier. In that case you just want to scan and register these numbers, and not have these generated again by E-WMS. Creating E-WMS SKU stock based on already present SKU labels is called 'external SKU numbers' in E-WMS.

The usage of 'External SKU numbers' can apply in following situations:

your supplier already applied labels with unique numbers on the incoming goods;
SKU (SSCC) numbers are already applied to the goods as part of the production process;
printing and retrieving SKU labels during the WMS stock registration process would not be efficient, instead you use a stack of preprinted numbered SKU labels

Some specifics related to using 'external SKU numbers'

E-WMS does not generate the unique number; the SKU number is just scanned, and created as master data in E-WMS after this scan.
you do not need BarTender, but BarTender (or other labeling software) could be used in above mentioned scenario 3 (stack of preprinted labels)
In case of above scenario 3, the label would typically not show any item related information, but just a unique number

The usage of external SKU numbers is supported in following E-WMS processes, where you can decide per process to use external SKU numbers, or have E-WMS generate SKU numbers:

Purchase receipts (free or guided receipts)
Repacking (as part of E-WMS transfers process)
Inventory counts
E-WMS Stock Transactions (incidental receipts or project receipts)
Production Receipts

You can use external SKU numbers in E-WMS 'Autoreceive', to automatically generate and receive a range of external SKU numbers in sequence.

Settings

Usage of external SKU numbers (via Use external SKU nrs option) can be configured in the hand terminal settings (menu System, E-WMS, Scanners) for the following processes:

Receipts
Transfers
Inventory
Stock Transactions
Production Receipts

When disabled (default), E-WMS will generate SKU numbers and print labels for the generated numbers.

When enabled, you can scan SKU numbers which were not generated by E-WMS.

Rules

It is assumed that the external SKU number is a valid SSCC number: 18 digits. The length of the number is validated when scanning.
An external SKU number must be a new, unique number; or can be an existing SKU number, but only when used in the same receipts transaction for the same item (and same batch)
When the setting 'Use external SKU numbers' is enabled per process, the 'SKU print button' is not visible on the hand terminal.
When you have multiple SKU/item configurations in menu WMS/Setup/SKU/SKU per item, then you will see a list of these configurations to choose from, after scanning an external SKU number
For more information please see document Apply specific SKU/item type with external SKU numbers
You are able to configure whether registering SKU numbers for a specific item, is mandatory. When not set to mandatory you are able to leave the SKU number empty, so you can receive sales units for a SKU item.
When using E-WMS Autoreceive, E-WMS will generate the next SKU numbers, by generating sequence numbers for the first 17 digits and calculating a new control digit for the 18th digit.

Sample scenario: purchase receipt with external SKU number

In the scanner settings for 'receipts registration', the usage of external SKU numbers option is enabled.
For a batch item, a configuration of 60 sales units per SKU is created.
A purchase order is created for 10 pallets (600 units).
This PO was sent for picking and received using E-WMS.

After scanning item and location, the external (outer) SKU number is scanned, next the batch number, best before date and quantity are entered:

Instead of registering a single SKU, E-WMS Autoreceive can be used to generate multiple receipt lines for a range of external SKU numbers.

After pressing the 'Options' and 'Auto receive' button, the receipt data is entered: quantity, batch quantity, batch number, increment factor (for batch, does not apply now), best before date.

Next, the first external SKU number received has to be scanned, and the increment factor for the next SKU numbers has to be entered

A screen 'generating' will briefly show, during generating the receipt lines for the total quantity.

After that, the message 'All lines are scanned' will show (when the total quantity was received), or else the scan screen will show again.

In both screens you can use the buttons Options and Edit to view the generated receipt lines.