We have introduced advanced slot calculation settings (aka flex slot duration) which allows warehouse admin to configure slot duration based on material characteristics(Goods and Packaging) of a transport order. This is possible using advanced slot calculation settings present in a facility. Additionally, warehouse can configure 'clearing time' to block some time after booking to clear the staging area for upcoming transports. If you are connected to external system like control tower, you can read about the application of these settings for unplanned transports/bookings here.
Advanced slot calculation Settings
You can configure rules in this section so that Flo (our wizard) will be able to automatically calculate a slot duration and provide appropriate slot suggestions instead of providing default slot duration applied through template.
Go to 'settings' in slot booking. Click on one of the facilities inside a location. Go to 'Advanced Slot Calculation' tab available in facility settings.
We can add rules as below by clicking on '+Add Calculation' page and providing the necessary information as requested in the form.
Note: The rules are applied only on facilities containing flex sections as they allow any slot durations.
Add Calculation Form
A combination of label, shipping unit (handling unit) and part code (handling unit code) values can be provided with corresponding (un)loading time and clearing time in the form.
Label - The label that would be applied on a material order that will be (un)loaded at a slot booking location. Label drop down shows applicable labels of a facility.
Shipping unit - This drop down shows list of shipping units supported in external system as well as new shipping units added by the user in settings.
Part Code - Part code is a free text field. This should match with Part Code added in Goods & Packaging details
Note: The screenshot is line item that is added in Goods & Packaging details.
(Un)load time - Based on the combination of label, shipping unit, part code provided, define loading/unloading time that would be required.
If 'Not Applicable' is selected, slot duration will be shown as defined in template.
Loading/Unloading time can be defined per shipping unit, or a fixed time based on combination specified.
e.g., A material order with 'Foil' label may take 120 minutes of fixed time to unload from truck using forklift. This might be your usual activity and you know a fixed quantity could come in every time.
In certain combination, you may know a range until X quantity that would take Y amount of (un)loading time. You can define these using between rules and add incremental ranges using +add rule.
Clearing time - Additional time that would be blocked by the warehouse post the actual slot duration to clear the staging area for next truck.
If 'Not Applicable' is selected, no clearing time will be considered.
Clearing time can be defined per shipping unit or a fixed time.
e.g. A material with 'Foil' can take 10 minutes for one quantity to be cleared after the truck leaves.
In certain combination, you may know a range until X quantity that would take Y amount of clearing time. You can define these using between rules and add incremental ranges using +add rule.