Program: Container Query

This program lets you query and view container type details by calling the Container Query business object and returning the relevant container information for review.

The program forms part of the Warehouse Management functionality that improves visibility of inventory containers and their related usage.

Exploring

Things you can do in this program include:

  • Query container details using selection criteria and review the returned container information.

  • Review container attributes that are maintained against container types.

  • Identify container usage by reviewing the returned container detail set.

This program is accessed from the Program List of the Syspro menu:

    Program List > Warehouse Management > License Plate Numbering and Containerization > Setup

This refers to the physical type of container or storage (e.g., Pallet, Box, Cage) associated with an LPN, configured with dimensions, capacity, and label templates. Container Types are maintained in the Container Maintenance program and LPN Container Setup business object, which include the description, dimensions, maximum weight/volume, flags (default, stacking allowed, flexible volume), and associated label format.

A single global default container type must always be defined. When selecting a new default it clears the previous one so only one default container type will always exists at a time.
An optional default container can be stored against the stock code (Stock Code Maintenance) and is used when generating LPNs during receipting, if no stock code default is supplied, the global default container type is used.

Starting

  • Container type records must exist in the database (in WhmContainerType table) for meaningful query results. Create Container types using Container Maintenance (Program List > Warehouse Management > License Plate Numbering and Containerization > Setup )

The following configuration options in Syspro may affect processing within this program or feature, including whether certain fields and options are accessible.

The Setup Options program lets you configure how Syspro behaves across all modules. These settings can affect processing within this program.

Setup Options > Configuration > Distribution > Inventory

  • This requires entry of bins upon the receipt, issue or transfer of items and when capturing stock take information. The Purge and Archive program runs to ensure the default bin is inserted into existing lot records and their associated transactions against your traceable or ECC-controlled items. Run the Balance function of the Order Purge and Inventory Period End programs to ensure there are no quantities in ship without bin allocations and to transfer any qty on hand to the default bin.

  • Only available in a SQL environment and if multiple bins is in use. Initially, all warehouses using multiple bins are flagged as fixed bin warehouses. The Show Warehouses hyperlink lets you switch off this facility selectively for warehouses. Fixed bins requires a bin to exist in the WhmBin table before you can transact against it. If the Create bins at inventory transaction option is switched on, bins can only be created at transaction time for warehouses not using fixed bins.

    The Show Warehouses hyperlink is also used to maintain the WMS control options against the warehouse (Warehouse Maintenance).

  • This indicates that WMS License Plate Numbering is required. When enabled, existing stock items in bins are placed in LPNs.

    When this setup option is enabled, stock must be received into a warehouse and the Associate serials by bin setup option must be enabled. Run the License Plate Number Conversion or Stock Take LPN Conversion program to ensure all stock items that are currently in bins are placed into LPNs. Transactions can't be posted if the conversion wasn't done.

    This setup option can't be disabled after the conversion was done or a license plate number was created.

  • LPN options:

      • This indicates whether multiple stock codes can be allocated to one license plate number.

        This setup option can't be disabled if multiple stock codes have been placed in an LPN.

      • This indicates whether multiple lots can be allocated to one license plate number.

        This setup option can't be disabled if multiple stock codes have been placed in an LPN.

Solving

The Container Query program is a query program and intended for enquiries only. To maintain container types you must use the corresponding setup/maintenance programs, such as Container Maintenance (Program List > Warehouse Management > License Plate Numbering and Containerization > Setup ), and the browse program LPN Container Browse)

Using

  • Columns in a listview are sometimes hidden by default. You can reinstate them using the Field Chooser option from the context-sensitive menu (displayed by right-clicking a header column header in the listview). Select and drag the required column to a position in the listview header.

  • Fields on a pane are sometimes removed by default. You can reinstate them using the Field Selector option from the context-sensitive menu (displayed by right-clicking any field in the pane). Select and drag the required fields onto the pane.

    The captions for fields are also sometimes hidden. You can select the Show Captions option from the context-sensitive menu to see a list of them. Click on the relevant caption to reinstate it to the form.

    If the Show Captions option is grayed out, it means no captions are hidden for that form.

  • Press Ctrl+F1 within a listview or form to view a complete list of functions available.

The Container Query process is as follows:

  • Enter the selection criteria required to identify the container(s) you want to review.

  • Execute the query to retrieve the container details from the Container Query business object.

  • Review the returned container details and use listview functions as required.

Referencing

This loads the selection criteria in the listview.

Field Description

Container selection

Indicates the container type selection for which you want to return container details.

List of containers

Define the list if the Container selection type List has been selected.

This lets you view the next set of lines in the listview.

This lets you indicate the number rows you want displayed in the listview.

This outputs the data to a printer destination of your choice.

This lets you refine the results displayed in the grid according to specific text that you've searched.

This clears the text that you've indicated in the in Search text box.

Field Description

Container

This indicates the container type code used to identify the container definition (for example, a pallet, box, cage or tote type)

Description

This indicates the container type description to help you identify it during selection and reporting.

Default container

This indicates whether the container is the global default container type used the system when no specific default is available (for example, when a stock code does not have a default container defined)

A single global default container type must always be defined. When selecting a new default it clears the previous one so only one default container type will always exists at a time.
An optional default container can be stored against the stock code (Stock Code Maintenance) and is used when generating LPNs during receipting, if no stock code default is supplied, the global default container type is used.

Width

Indicates the width dimension of the container type.

Length

Indicates the length dimension of the container type.

Height

Indicates the height dimension of the container type.

Maximum weight

 Indicates the maximum permitted weight for the container type, used to support validation and container suitability rules.
Maximum volume Indicates the maximum permitted volume for the container type, used to support validation and container suitability rules.
Flexible volume

Indicates whether the container type is treated as having flexible volume.
LPN The Show Details hyperlink display all the LPNs linked to the selected Container Type.
Label format

Indicates the label format to use when printing labels for LPNs created using this container type.

This field might be hidden from the listview. Use the Field Chooser to display any columns that are hidden by default.
Stacking allowed

Indicates whether the container type is allowed to be stacked on.

This field might be hidden from the listview. Use the Field Chooser to display any columns that are hidden by default.