Author: Przemysław Dziedzic
If you are in a Dynamics business, surly one of the most important annual appointment you want and must participate, no doubts is Direction. The 2023 edition took place in magic France, the lovely city of Lyon. I could truly write thousand words about how much did I loved to be there, yet no words may bring the beauty of that place and it’s atmosphere better than this movie: Directions EMEA 2023 – the aftermovie (youtube.com).
Apart from the enjoyable experience of being there, both myself and undoubtedly all attendees gained a wealth of knowledge about Business Central, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Power Platform, the Microsoft ecosystem, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Copilot, and much more.
In particular, during one of the sessions, my focus was on delving into the beauty of Mobile WMS solution, an outstanding all-in-one warehouse BC-based WMS system. I found the discussion around the new feature: Pack & Ship, to be particularly intriguing. Additionally, insights into the 2024 product roadmap provided a glimpse into the exciting advancements awaiting us in the near future. Now, let me highlight some key aspects that emerged prominently during the session.
What’s new in Mobile WMS – Pack & Ship
Pack & Ship is enhances the picking, packing, and shipping workflows in the warehouse. That is a brand new feature, yet already successfully implemented at more than a 100 customers.
It is an alternative to the previously know Shipment and Tote Shipping by offering improvements to the workflows such as:
- staging of goods between picking and packing processes;
- repacking picked goods to new packages and pallets;
- printing labels for package/pallet contents;
- fully customizable integration to 3rd party Shipping Apps including booking and printing shipping documents directly from the mobile device.
The main benefit:
- Automate shipment booking and label printing – all done at the warehouse;
- Do everything exclusively from the mobile device
- No other “BC – WMS” product can do this level of full automation, mobile device based.
What is needed to make it happen?
Pack & Ship can be used stand-alone and still provide significant benefits to staging, repacking, and printing package content label reports.
However, the main goal is to allow customers to easily connect Mobile WMS to their shipping solutions. Enabling customers to Create and Book transports/consignments and Print the shipping labels directly from the mobile device.
Due to which, the main requirement is a customer with shipping needs. The one cooperating the best with multiple different curries, where usually each parcel company requires cooperation with it’s own communication system.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
To overcome the issue with multiple curries connection, Mobile WMS uses the middle tire of shipping portals. Thanks to that, customers receives all curries, prices, shipment conditions in one place.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
The integration with shipping portals is handled by the “Connectors” such as ShipIT365, integrated with Business Central.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
Thanks to that, the customer is able to mange the shipment directly in Business Central, from the level of the Sales Order or Sales Shipment.
The Mobile WMS connectors are easily available as an app:
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
The overall all-in-one landscape can be described as presented on the graphic below:
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
Pack & Ship – business process example
- The first process step is the Pick to Tote registration on the mobile device:
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
2. As the items are placed in the staging hint, usually the are delivered to the packing station, where the items packing and cargo labelling takes place.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
At this stage, with the usage od Pack&Ship functionality, items are taken from the Tote and placed to the boxes/pallets, etc. The process is fully supported by mobile device and bar code driven.
3. When the box is filled with items, usually it get’s the dedicated label – see example:
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
4. The last step is related with box registration (inc. weight, size, etc.)
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
At the parcel company, collecting the delivery note and what is very important parcel label – all happens directly out of the mobile device, which executes the apps and data placed in Business Central.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
The consequence is also a Whs. Shipment document posted in BC.
In essence, the Pack & Ship process, executed seamlessly from a mobile device, epitomizes warehouse efficiency. From item pick to final shipment, this streamlined journey integrates precision and technology for accurate and customer-centric operations. Mastering each step becomes not just a goal but a necessity for success in modern warehouse management, promising a future marked by excellence and innovation. Let your Pack & Ship process, driven by mobile capabilities, pave the way for a new era of operational prowess.
3. Roadmap
Ther are three meil stones for Mobile WMS already known and published:
- Report print – enebling printing directly form Mobile WMS all reports on all kind of printers.
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session
- Inbound Licene Plate functionality – enabling the receiving and creating Licence Plates during inbound process.
- Friendly App Configurator
Image source: Directions EMEA 2023, Tasklet – ISV Session