Merging of zones

1. Goal. 

The goal of merging zones is that a supplier or carrier can combine orders that are defined for different zones in your warehouse into 1 shipment in a zone of your choice. 

Typically, you setup different zones in your warehouse, depending on or mix of: 

• difference in productivity
• type of packaging units
• load/unloading operations
• security or regulations
• difference in rules for capacity warnings
• ...

But at the other hand, you want to make it possible under some conditions that a carrier or supplier can use one (1) shipment even for orders for different zones. 

That's why Streamliner implemented the possibility to merging zones. 

2. Examples

2.1. A specific 'merge' zone:

You configured 2 zones:  One where you can handle pallets, another where you can handle bundles 

But you want to allow a combination of the two, but this means a reduced productivity.

Solution: create a new zone, with a productivity as a mix of both packaging units. You set on both zones that as soon zone is merged, the result zone is the specific merge zone where both packaging units are supported. No impact on the orders, Streamliner will guide the flow automatically. 

2.2. A Sideways unloading. 

You configured several zones, only 1 has the possibility of sideways unloading. For the zones without sideways loading, you create a specific merge zone as in example 1. But as soon as an order is combined with an order for the sideways unloading, the merge zone must be the zone where the sideways unloading is possible. This means that the zone 'Sideways unloading' is higher in rank than the other merge zone. 

2.3. More complex 

Imaging you have 5 different zones, all with different productivities. It depends on the zones you combine, which zone you will use as merge zone. This means that you can have different merge zones. 

When Zone 1 is involved, result zone must be Zone1

When Zone 2 is involved, result zone must be Zone 2, except if Zone 1 is involved. in that case it must be Zone 1. 

When Zone 3 is involved, result zone must be Zone 3, except if Zone 1 or 2 are involved

When Zone 4 is involved, result zone is Zone 3, except if Zone 1 or 2 are involved

When Zone 5 is involved, result zone is Zone 3, except if Zone 1 or 2 are involved

3. Configuration. 

3.1. New in setting up a zone? 

If you are new in setting up a zone, we refer to article 'Add a new zone' 

3.2. Explanation of the three fields that are used to configure the zone 

You have to configure the merge properties on every zone that can be merged. 

Edit the zone you want to enable for merging. 

• The switch 'Zone can be merged' : This enables the zone to merge. Orders that are created for this zone can be merged with orders that are made for other zones if switch is also set on that zone
• Into: The result zone. This can be set to the same zone or to any other zone with switch 'Zone can be merged' is enabled. It's very good possible that when 2 orders are combined for zones that can be merged, those 2 zones have a different 'Into' zone defined. in that case, the highest ranked zone will be the Result zone
• Ranking Merge zone: This field defines the ranking that will be used when combining zones. If the zones that you combine have different 'Into' values, the zone with the highest ranked into will win the battle. It's important that during configuration, you won't create conflicts and give same ranking to different zone. This is not tested by Streamliner. responsibility is up to you. 

3.3. Exceptions. 

Do we solve all possible, different configurations with these settings? To be honest no. If a zone can be merged, but not with all of your other zones, we ran into a configuration issue. In that case you have to decide what's best for your organization. Do not allow merging and give instructions to make 2 shipments or allow combinations. 

4. How will supplier or carrier be involved? 

Merging zones is completely transparent for your stakeholders. The flow is completely automated, without any action needed at their site. 

Supplier or carriers places the first order for zone 'Carpets' in the basket. Zone carpets can be merged if needed. 

Supplier adds a second order, for zone 'White label' in the basket. This zone can be merged, result zone is the 'Mix zone'. 

Supplier will automatically book a shipment or create a package in the 'Mix' Zone. No decisions to take, no messages, completely transparent 

Enjoy this merging functionality.